Martin Logon

bigaudiofanatic

Well today I headed over to a bigger best buy than the one near me for some Christmas shopping. After picking up a few things I decided to head over to the magnolia HT section. Their was no one in sight except a guy that worked their named Patrick. After talking to him about my setup and my future ideas I asked him to show me some nice speakers. That is when he took me into the demo room very well setup and organized. Their I laid my eyes on a set of Martin Logon Vantage speakers and the matching center and sub. I asked him what was driving them, he told me a higher end yamaha receiver but could not tell me how many watts. After selecting a music cd from the collection I sat down for a demo.

After figuring out which input to select the demo was started. I played guns and roses and could not believe what I was hearing. CRYSTALS CLEAR SOUND! It almost brought tears to my eyes the speakers had a wide stage and very solid but not crazy bass. The next thing I noticed was the high's. They where not annoying nor where they bright. Very smooth even at higher volumes. I was absolutely astounded by these speakers. I mean I had my jaw open about 20 seconds into the song.

I think I am going to start saving up for a set of them as the price tag is almost three grand a speaker.:eek: But you know what I think it would be worth every...............single............penny.

All and all I think they are fantastic speakers and will be heading back there next weekend with some of my own cd's for another demo. If any of you are wondering where I went it was the best buy in Concord Pike in Wilmington Delaware.

Hawkeye

Check the 'Gon first. Prices are very reasonable on the Vantage, be careful, the ESL sound is quite intoxicating!

Gordon

anhchungdoan

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

Well today I headed over to a bigger best buy than the one near me for some Christmas shopping. After picking up a few things I decided to head over to the magnolia HT section. Their was no one in sight except a guy that worked their named Patrick. After talking to him about my setup and my future ideas I asked him to show me some nice speakers. That is when he took me into the demo room very well setup and organized. Their I laid my eyes on a set of Martin Logon Vantage speakers and the matching center and sub. I asked him what was driving them, he told me a higher end yamaha receiver but could not tell me how many watts. After selecting a music cd from the collection I sat down for a demo.

After figuring out which input to select the demo was started. I played guns and roses and could not believe what I was hearing. CRYSTALS CLEAR SOUND! It almost brought tears to my eyes the speakers had a wide stage and very solid but not crazy bass. The next thing I noticed was the high's. They where not annoying nor where they bright. Very smooth even at higher volumes. I was absolutely astounded by these speakers. I mean I had my jaw open about 20 seconds into the song.

I think I am going to start saving up for a set of them as the price tag is almost three grand a speaker.:eek: But you know what I think it would be worth every...............single............penny.

All and all I think they are fantastic speakers and will be heading back there next weekend with some of my own cd's for another demo. If any of you are wondering where I went it was the best buy in Concord Pike in Wilmington Delaware.

By no means to offend you but those AVRs @ Magnolia / BB do not bring out the best of the ML.

Try the MLs with some Krell or some good amps then you will see how good the Electrostatic speakers can transpire the music.

If buying use, I will recommend the famous Aerius I and the SL3. You will need a real muscular amp to move those mylar electrostatic pannels. Believe me, I have been a ML fan for over 10 years.

bigaudiofanatic

I think they where great when I get mine I will be using a set of outlaw mono blocks for power. I was just amazed of how great they sounded coming from a yamaha. My neighbor has a set of LSi 25's and they do not even come close. They are intoxicating and I can not stop thinking about how good they sounded.

anhchungdoan

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

I think they where great when I get mine I will be using a set of outlaw mono blocks for power. I was just amazed of how great they sounded coming from a yamaha. My neighbor has a set of LSi 25's and they do not even come close. They are intoxicating and I can not stop thinking about how good they sounded.

I would not compare the quasi-dipole ML with any acoustic/ dynamic speakers. ML (Electrostatic), Apogee, EminentTechnology ( planar/ ribbons) all have their own distinguished sound for certain fans. I am glad that you enjoy the great design of ML.

If you like the Ml with those AVRs, you will be in audio Nirvana with proper set up and proper electronics.

bigaudiofanatic

I sort of agree either way they are amazing. Now I have to start saving for them.

SCompRacer

With ESL's, you want to use an amp that will be stable with varying impedance loads. Have you checked out ML's ESL FAQ's?

bigaudiofanatic

SCompRacer wrote: »

With ESL's, you want to use an amp that will be stable with varying impedance loads. Have you checked out ML's ESL FAQ's?

I have not, I will have to look at them. That being said are you saying the mono blocks will not be a good partner with the vantages?

SCompRacer

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

I have not, I will have to look at them. That being said are you saying the mono blocks will not be a good partner with the vantages?

I have no experience with Outlaw amps so I can't say. Maybe check with the ML forum. I've seen ESL's trip a good amps protective circuitry. That also depends on the amps protective circuit design.

http://www.martinloganowners.com/forum/index.php

Remember Justin? He is now ML's Director of Marketing.

Hawkeye

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

I think they where great when I get mine I will be using a set of outlaw mono blocks for power. I was just amazed of how great they sounded coming from a yamaha. My neighbor has a set of LSi 25's and they do not even come close. They are intoxicating and I can not stop thinking about how good they sounded.

The Vantage is a 4Ohm speaker which can drop to .7 Ohms in some frequencies. This can present a tremendous load on the amp. I'm using mono's on the Spire, which were also used on the Vantage when I had them. I think as long as your amp is stable at 4 you should be fine. Wattage is not so much a concern as current.

If your really that interested in ML, I strongly suggest you see MLOC that SComp recommended. I enjoy an ESL and don't believe I'll ever go back to a box speaker in my main system. There are some set up guidelines you need to be aware of to get the top performance out of them. Bottom line: you need to have some space available. You can't push these in the corner, set a couch or chair in front of them and expect them to shine. But once you get them positioned correctly, absolute heaven.

Gordon

anhchungdoan

Hawkeye wrote: »

The Vantage is a 4Ohm speaker which can drop to .7 Ohms in some frequencies. This can present a tremendous load on the amp. I'm using mono's on the Spire, which were also used on the Vantage when I had them. I think as long as your amp is stable at 4 you should be fine. Wattage is not so much a concern as current.

If your really that interested in ML, I strongly suggest you see MLOC that SComp recommended. I enjoy an ESL and don't believe I'll ever go back to a box speaker in my main system. There are some set up guidelines you need to be aware of to get the top performance out of them. Bottom line: you need to have some space available. You can't push these in the corner, set a couch or chair in front of them and expect them to shine. But once you get them positioned correctly, absolute heaven.

Gordon

Thank you for the warning to new folks to ML Electrostatic speakers. It's not abt 4ohm or 8 ohm. It's abt the impedance curve that will and can drop below 2 ohm with ML.

Buying one of the best designed speakers, one will need to provide the ML with proper electronics ( amp that can be stable at 2 ohm) , I would look no further than Krell or Pass to bring the best out of the ML.

leroyjr1

How do they compare to the Magnepan's?

megasat16

Sorry about the off topics but I wonder if Martin Logan speakers are attractive to Cats as a scratch post?

Is there any protection to the ESL panels?

megasat16

leroyjr1 wrote: »

How do they compare to the Magnepan's?

What Martin Logan to What Magnepan?

concealer404

megasat16 wrote: »

Sorry about the off topics but I wonder if Martin Logan speakers are attractive to Cats as a scratch post?

Is there any protection to the ESL panels?

I imagine that would depend on the cat.... my cats love to stick their paws into the ports on my speakers. They don't scratch them... they just love to fish around in there.

xj4094dg

leroyjr1 wrote: »

How do they compare to the Magnepan's?

I haven't heard these specific ML's but I have recently heard a pair of Magnepan 1.6 QRs and they were amazing. (about 1800.00/pair new). I strongly suggest you get your ears on a pair before pulling the trigger on the ML's. The last time I had the pleasure of hearing some ML's was about 10 years ago. They are great but pricey.

Enjoy!

kawizx9r

Magnepan's give you more bang for your buck imo.

I've heard ML's and Maggies.....go grab yourself a pair of 1.6QR's instead.

Face

kawizx9r wrote: »

Magnepan's give you more bang for your buck imo.

I've heard ML's and Maggies.....go grab yourself a pair of 1.6QR's instead.

I agree.

Cheap Maggies trump cheap ML's.

bigaudiofanatic

There is always something better than the thing we have. But it is what we like and enjoy that is what is important. To me after getting a set of these that will be it for me for a long time.

kawizx9r

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

There is always something better than the thing we have. But it is what we like and enjoy that is what is important. To me after getting a set of these that will be it for me for a long time.

Not saying you should buy a pair of Maggie's, just think you should give them a try

Bet you'll like them just as much if not more, while saving you some $ (meaning you can grab'em sooner than the ML's).

1.6QR's or better, or even the teaser MMG's. Those are just too affordable to pass up if you're really wanting to try them out.

Hawkeye

megasat16 wrote: »

Sorry about the off topics but I wonder if Martin Logan speakers are attractive to Cats as a scratch post?

Is there any protection to the ESL panels?

My kids have cats. They always ask to bring them when they visit and the answer is always the same: NO! I've read quite a few threads where the cats love to climb the panels. While the Mylar is protected from most possible damage, the claws go through the tiny holes and either scratch or in some cases puncture the Mylar. Then it's time for new panels. If it were just a tweet or woofer damaged, it would be somewhat acceptable but we're talking about a complete replacement. Big dollars. Now if the cat is declawed, that may change the situation.

Gordon

Hawkeye

leroyjr1 wrote: »

How do they compare to the Magnepan's?

The Maggies are cheaper.

Gordon

anhchungdoan

Hawkeye wrote: »

The Maggies are cheaper.

Gordon

Agree. For 2 channel audio, Maggies cannot and will not give you the tight bass that ML will give produce providing good electronics such as Krell or Pass. Mark my words for it.

anhchungdoan

megasat16 wrote: »

Sorry about the off topics but I wonder if Martin Logan speakers are attractive to Cats as a scratch post?

Is there any protection to the ESL panels?

The Mylar film is very sensitive to humidity and dust. I used to use the Hoover to suck the dust out of the pannels every six month or so. Also, the pannels may or may not need to send back to ML to stretch back to the proper position after many moons of usage.

Cat's hair is a no no around the electrostatic speakers.

danz1906

kawizx9r wrote: »

Magnepan's give you more bang for your buck imo.

I've heard ML's and Maggies.....go grab yourself a pair of 1.6QR's instead.

Maggies are Sweet!

anhchungdoan

Face wrote: »

I agree.

Cheap Maggies trump cheap ML's.

There is no cheap ML. The less expensive ML that was made to grab the H/T market share is a disgrace to their original designer G. Sanders and Sutherland.

It is sad to see the great products from a great company that was bought out and its great name was tainted by corporation marketing tactics.

Hawkeye

I can understand why ML developed the mass market line of speakers. That's where the money is. The mass market line supports the higher end line. There is no comparison of the sound between the two. There is a hint of the ML sound in the entry line, but it is there to wet the appetite for "more" of the ML presentation.

I for one am glad the mass market is supporting the line. Without it, ML would probably have a hard time coming up with the Spire, Summit X and CLX.

Gordon

bigaudiofanatic

Hawkeye wrote: »

My kids have cats. They always ask to bring them when they visit and the answer is always the same: NO! I've read quite a few threads where the cats love to climb the panels. While the Mylar is protected from most possible damage, the claws go through the tiny holes and either scratch or in some cases puncture the Mylar. Then it's time for new panels. If it were just a tweet or woofer damaged, it would be somewhat acceptable but we're talking about a complete replacement. Big dollars. Now if the cat is declawed, that may change the situation.

Gordon

Best part of my cats is they are all de clawed.

Face

anhchungdoan wrote: »

There is no cheap ML. The less expensive ML that was made to grab the H/T market share is a disgrace to their original designer G. Sanders and Sutherland.

I'm referring to the ML Source. http://www.martinlogan.com/products/source

The transition between the panel and woofer section was very poor IMO.

megasat16

Hawkeye wrote: »

My kids have cats. They always ask to bring them when they visit and the answer is always the same: NO! I've read quite a few threads where the cats love to climb the panels. While the Mylar is protected from most possible damage, the claws go through the tiny holes and either scratch or in some cases puncture the Mylar. Then it's time for new panels. If it were just a tweet or woofer damaged, it would be somewhat acceptable but we're talking about a complete replacement. Big dollars. Now if the cat is declawed, that may change the situation.

Gordon

anhchungdoan wrote: »

The Mylar film is very sensitive to humidity and dust. I used to use the Hoover to suck the dust out of the pannels every six month or so. Also, the pannels may or may not need to send back to ML to stretch back to the proper position after many moons of usage.

Cat's hair is a no no around the electrostatic speakers.

Thanks Gents! Your posts remind me why I didn't get to take home Summit or Spire about a year ago. My wife and I really like the sound (openness) of ML but I couldn't bring myself tot declaw my cats since claws are their natural protection and I let them go out under watch. The Ribbon in Carver Amazings are well protected against Cats and I am glad I stick with the Amazings for that matter.

My cats usually love to use the speakers grilles for scratch posts regardless of I put a scratch post in every corner of the room in the whole house.

anhchungdoan

Face wrote: »

I'm referring to the ML Source. http://www.martinlogan.com/products/source

The transition between the panel and woofer section was very poor IMO.

I love to agree with you but I have to beg to differ. I have owned the Aeius I and the SL3 for over ten years and they are the most COHERENT speakers I have ever heard including the Magnapan, Apoggee which will need the good sub for the low -end. As the contrary, with a solid amp that can produce a fast and tight bass and can be stable down to 2 ohm, the ML is one of the best design out there.

Do not expect the ML sounds at their best with the Adcom, B & K or Parasound or even Conrad Johnson SS amp or the Sunfire. You will need the Krell to do the job nothing else would bring out what the ML is capable to do. That's my experience with the Aerius I and the SL3. I have tried all the above amp and I had to settle down with the Krell amp.