2. speakers
  3. 161574-151430

$10K Budget for Speakers: Martin Logan Masterpiece vs Tannoy

For much under $10K I can get a pair of Martin Logan Masterpiece’s Classic ESL 9 (the new ones retail for $6.5). Alternatively, I might go ahead and get a used pair of the top-of-the-line ESL 13 with all the bolts and whistles the modern electrostatic speakers offer: an unbelievable 3D-almost-surround-like staging and very detailed, life-like sound. Those Martin Logans speakers do have a huge speaker emission surface (the sound radiating "panel") emitting the sound bi-directionally and these speakers are almost the human hight tall.
The same $10K would also get me a top-of-the-line Tannoy Arden speakers (8K per pair). On the used market, if I am lucky, I could get a pair of Turnberries. Tannoy, while does have some unmatched style and a "company history-story" factor, apparently doesn’t even come close to be able to give the same sound experience Martin Logan speakers do. Tannoy speakers radiate sound from a single 10", 12" or at best 15" driver. The speaker themselves are significantly smaller than Martin Logan ones. They are barely hip height.
The esthetics and design is a huge factor for me, I do love Tannoy speakers. But, from a practical standpoint, and because the main reason I am getting the speakers is still the SOUND, and not the speakers design, I am heavily inclined to get a less-by-my-opinion-styled speakers made by Martin Logan. Because MLs, regardless of the price, offer a wider, cleaner, more life-like sound than Tannoy speakers do.
If the sound reproduction is the only concern, why would I choose a smaller, a single driver Tannoy over state-of-the art technology implemented in Martin Logan?

esputnix
alanr123's avatar
alanr123
6 posts
 
I have Focal Aria 936's a lower budget speaker that sounds better than any ML that I have demoed.  I have never demoed Tannoy's due to dealer locations and limited to no dealer availability in NY
I would NEVER buy a speaker without hearing it. - Never!

I upgraded to Focal 1028BE's and had fatigue within minutes, I purchased these and returned them and had to pa $350 for return freight. Then I demoed Focal Sopra 2 and had no fatigue and was able to hear what I was missing at the Aria level - a much fuller sounding speaker.

My fatigue is from tinnitus and the 1028BE kicked it in to overdrive but the Aria's and Sopra oddly did not. I am clueless as to why only the 1028be's caused this. May be a frequency they hit.

However, at your budget, I suggest to listen to a few brands and compare vs making assumptions. If you love the ML's and have heard them, the go for it. Everyone's ears are different and my example is my point, you should spend a bit of time demoing them and comparing, same day to see what you like. Keep in mind your AMP as some speakers sound great on solid state and flop on tube amps. So I always try speakers demo'd on both to see how well they perform under any type of amp, that sensitivity and synergy is a major factor in good sound.

There is a synergy that matters with AMP and Speaker. So demo, and maybe even bring your amp for the demo.
danvignau's avatar
danvignau
935 posts
 
Islandmandan: Nor Martin Logan's, if he really thinks they can fill a movie theater.  maybe he means, home theater.
wspohn's avatar
wspohn
607 posts
 
The Martin Logans are good sounding speakers but with woofers of a size that they don't do well with low bass, so you'd want a well integrated subwoofer if you like realistic bass levels.

The Tannoys will give you very good bass at the cost of reduced performance higher up, compared to the electrostats.

Bit of an audio dilemma?
Ag insider logo xs@2x
ken7
53 posts
 
Look for a used pair of Harbeth 40.1 or 40.2's....better than both Tannoy and ML....and less expensive.....much more natural sounding unless you're a heavy metal person
fraterperdurabo's avatar
fraterperdurabo
52 posts
 
My all-time favorite speakers are the Quad 57s, so I get loving the MLs.  My 2nd favorite? Big Tannoys.

You'd pick the latter if realistic scale and dynamics matter to you.  ESL's provided a very detailed, but miniaturized version of the musical event.  Their dipole radiation also plays nice in problematic rooms.

But if you want the illusion of a large orchestra from 3rd-row center, the Tannoys can't be beaten.  Less detail, but more scale.  The Tannoys are also efficient and will work with a larger selection of amplifiers.
More to discover