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flat speaker quandary

Hi folks...

I can't believe it, but after finaly getting the Martin Logans iv'e always wanted...i'm not satisfied.
I lack warmth, punch and musicality over what I upgraded from, which was Magnepan MMGs. I know, a much smaller speaker. I moved into a new house with a great big listening room so i figured it to be a good chance to buy the big ML's I had lusted over, which I did. Now that I have them...I'm scratching my head. Wost of all, its getting to the piont where I'm more focused on what i'm *not* hearing vs. what I am hearing.

I currently am using a nice tube preamp > mccormack dna1 > Martin logan SL3

this is an upgrade from a B&K st140 > MMG rig in a smaller room. THIS is the sound I need to re-capture. It just worked for me on so many levels.

I was thinking of maybe buying some larger maggies, like the 3.3r or 3.5r as they tend to pop up with some regularity and would be of equal value to what I could likely get for these SL3s I have.
I've never heard a big maggie before. How do the 3-way planars sound?

Should I just get a good sub instead? I know I need one, but If those larger maggies dont require one then that would be a + in their direction.
128x128nickspicks
jeffloistarca
1,004 posts
 
Nick,

Try some Transparent speaker cables, they're a match made in heaven. Bi-wire is the only way to go with ML's IMHO. Don't give up, they are great transducers in their price range.
newbee
4,775 posts
 
Nick, Perhaps if you describe your room, its dimensions, where you have placed your speakers and your listening seat, and describe your floor and wall coverings etc some one can give you some help. I had a similar experience with large panels when I moved into my new home and found it was all due to placement and room conditioning.
mahandave
153 posts
 
Just wanted to mention that they might not be broken in yet and if they take as long as Magnepan speakers that might not be for 500 hours! So I advise not to even think about it until then. Martin Logan owners can tell you how long they take to break in, I would be guessing as I have never owned them. But the difference can be amazing once equipment breaks in.
nickspicks's avatar
nickspicks OP
48 posts
 
ok...the real details.
philips 963 as transport >
smART DIO boulder mod >
audio experience symponies pre >
McCormack DNA1 >
MIT term3 biwires
cheap monster and AR interconnects

Room is open concept living room/kitchen.
living room area is 17' wide and 24' deep.
I have the SL3s pulled 50" from the back wall and 4' in from each side wall. They are toe'd in approx. 2.5"
Lots of big bushy and tall plants in each corner behind speakers, and media racks / book cases on back wall center. TV in between.
Walls are new sheetrock.
Listening spot is center couch, 10' from dead center.

strengths: awesome holographic sounstage and imaging
weakness: not very musical, no punch or impact, always movign the speakers to tweak them "just right". Even a half inch makes a big impact w/thes SL3s.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,252 posts
 
Nick, Magnepan and Martin-Logan both make some excellent, high value speakers, but there are differences in their sonic signatures. From your comments I suspect that you really would be better off going with one of the newer Magnepan models rather than any of the Martin-Logans. That said, M-Ls don't need as much toe-in as you've indicated and they can benefit from even more distance to the rear wall. You might also want to upgrade your interconnects. I would recommend something like Cardas or Discovery. My final comment is that you have a good size room and if you're driving the M-Ls hard that your amp may be clipping. They are a difficult load.
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