Feel free to read something I posted earlier tonight regarding 'stats and PM me if you want.
https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/1876621
https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/1876621
Martin Logan Classic 9 vs. Impression 11A - sound impressions and burn in question
Feel free to read something I posted earlier tonight regarding 'stats and PM me if you want. https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/1876621 |
@jeffvegas: What you're saying makes perfect sense, although it's not what I wanted to hear. Have you heard these two models? @emailists: PM sent. Thank you both. I know there are other Impression 11A users around, I'd appreciate more feedback especially regarding that lack of punch / tactility in the bass and mids and the dryness of the bass. |
I am in the same dilemma. I own a pair of electromotion esl with 2 REL 5i subs.. Like what I hear but now I want more of a good thing. Do I go to ESL 9 or 11a's. After hearing a broken in pair of 11a's and comparing to classic 9 this is my assessment. The 11a's finally start to give me that big electrostatic sound but they sounded thin and I would need subwoofers with them as the bass is not powerful enough for me. If you ask anyone the 11inch panel from Martin Logan is bright. Actually the outgoing MONTIS model sounded better than 11as. It uses a slightly larger panel. For the sound I am looking for I will either be going with ESL 9's and a pair of REL subwoofers or I will look for a new or used pair of MONTIS. The Montis bass is not as fast as the 11a's but it is more powerful. I love the sound of the MONTIS panel. The ESL 9 is not as detailed or does it give as BIG a sound as the MONTIS or 11a's but it is a welcome improvement from my electromotion esl and the classic 9 has a warmer sounding panel than both. Dont have the funds to go 13a's but they would solve all my problems. |
Oh one more thing. If there is one advantage to the less expensive Martin Logans is that the narrow panels image better than the wider ones. My little electromotion esl actually image BETTER than 11a's. The wider the panel the more diffuse imaging gets. The ESL 9 retains the pinpoint imaging. So now I am leaning ESL 9. BUT those big panels sure throw a BIG sound and they do have more detail and can play louder than the narrow ones. Tough call. It really comes down to money. How deep do you want to go into this thing. 11A's are too bright. Its Montis or ESL9 for me. 13A's even used are 7 or 8 grand so I cant do it. 13A's are so smooth and relaxed. Almost Sound Lab quality. |
This is extremely useful, thank you so much! Before this audition I would have never guessed the Classic 9's panel would be any different to it's larger siblings from a tonality point of view, but you are totally confirming what I was hearing. What about the punch / tactility, have you noticed any difference between the two? I'm not talking strictly about the lower mids / upper bass area. Also, have you done your comparison in the same system and room? |