Has anyone ever stacked Martin Logan CLS panels

Quote Bignerd100: "I think that the two seprate speakers for each channel would defeat some of the benefits of using the CLS panels. THey act as a point source."

Actually the CLS behaves as a Line Source as do all of the Martin Logans hybrids above the bass driver crossover point. If you built a rigid frame which stacked the panels intimately together, I see two potential problems- Avoiding having the joint between the panels anywhere near ear level, and sorting out appropriate amplification for the high voltage transformer circuits. I imagine the panel pairs would need to be series connected to avoid your amplifier seeing a near short circuit at high frequencies. Build a pair of appropriate 8'+ tall open baffle subwoofers with say 6 12" IB drivers per side to handle low-to-mid bass frequencies and you'd have a poor man's ML Statement !

Happy Trails!
Vince@freewheelcycle.com

I don't have any actual experience with this, but, I wonder if there might be greater benefits by putting one behind the other back to back?

Why stop at 2? How about 4 per stereo side. The increased panel area could eliminate the need for a subwoofer. Each speaker should have its own dedicated amp (8 channels total) and you'll probably need some sort of distribution amp between the preamp and the power amps. On second thought, it might be easier to just go with the larger Sound Labs.

The reason for stacking the 57s was to get more output. Even in moderately sized rooms, folks were always blowing them up trying to get decent SPLs and/or bass.

I've never found (in 15 years) my CLSs to lack sufficient sensitivity to reach deafening SPLs before distorting or, God forbid! arcing -- with the right amp of course and a good subwoofer (I like the ML Depth, but whatever)

If your room is so huge they won't play at realistic levels, then don't buy two more. Just get a pair of SoundLabs, you won't need a sub either!

I agree with Nsgarch! If you need stacked CLS's, just buy a pair of Soundlabs and be done with it. In this way, you wouldn't risk potential damage to two pairs of expensive speakers.

Enjoy,

TIC