Martin Logan vs. Everything

  I put off trying Martin Logans for most of my life thinking they were not a real speaker, or a gimmick, I could not have been more wrong. Now I have a pair of Theos in my main HT and they sound amazing. I have not noticed the negatives many have mentioned. They simply sound different from other speakers and I like that. Just utterly clear vocals, huge sound stage, details I have never heard before, and they make my HT come alive . I am pairing these with a Stage center, Dual SVS SB3000's and some Def Tec surrounds.   I thought I would like the Montis more but I was wrong, I guess they were too big for my room or something but I like the way the Theos integrate in my system much more. I am powering these with a Bryston 4B3, so there are no power issues. But you have to remember how highly subjective this is to one's own tastes. 

  I thought there could not be a box speaker that could do what the ML does at a price I could afford and I was wrong about that also. Luckily there was a hi fi shop that would let you take stuff home near me and try stuff out in your own home for 15 days.  I went through 6 pairs and eventually got some used Audio Physic Avanti III. To me they are in a league of their own and simply disappear while throwing up a huge immersive sound stage with every nuance and detail coming through. FWIW, these are not new but were 11k 20 years ago.  These were Michael Fremer's reference speakers for a while and he did a glowing review of them for Sterophile.

  If you have the right space and proper set up, Martin Logan's are hard to beat, IMO.

Note to self : never type anything like this first thing in the morning again. 

I’m a proud owner of ML Classic 9’s setup in a small bedroom, max size speaker for the space but with some properly placed acoustic panels to control reflections the sound is immersive and clear, a B&W sub makes sure the bass is deep and tight enough to be felt in your chest…I can’t imagine another speaker that could accomplish this in that room (I’m sure there….but I’m not seeking them out!).  Now I’m trying to re-explore vinyl as my diversion as I’m completely happy with my overall sound. 

In my experience, people who like electrostatics very rarely switch to cone based drivers. (I know most MLs are hybrid) but they are fundamentally electrostatics.

I have heard many people say that the closest sound to electrostats are open baffle speakers. Have you listened to any?

I have owned many dynamic type speakers throughout my life. But I do like the open Planar/Electrostatic sound. I like very much the Martin Logan or even the Magnepan sound, but there always seemed to be tradeoffs, especially in the bass. Never heard an open baffle design though.

I ended up buying the Clarisys Minute speakers. The first Planar speakers I have owned. It has been a learning experience with room/sound treatments (none) cables, speaker placement etc.

Today, after I have lived with these speakers a few months, I doubt if I could go back to another dynamic speaker. There is just something so natural and open in the sound quality that is so easy on the ears.

ozzy