b w / martin logan / definitive

Steve--I think you are well on your way to a good system. I agree with most of the posts, and would say the DT is best for HT, the Martin Logan perhaps for music (I'm biased--I own ML speakers and love them), but for both the B&W fits the bill. As to your comment about the theater--well I do disagree, unless the rears are turned up too much--then I would have to agree with you--it's distracting--but when a plane flys in from behind I really like the effect and anticipation the rear speakers add. Also, in situtations like a rainy day--I like the rain all around, but the people clearly talking up front.

Hello well here it goes I used to own a pair of b&w 802 series 3 matrix. They where awesome much better than the cdm series retail on the 802 was 4,000. Now as far the aerius I had heard them at a freinds house and could not understand how they can sound so REAL!!!!!!!!!!!!! I sold my $4,000 b&w and replaced them with the $2,300 Martin Logan aerius i.. Martin Logans are great for surround also they have a curved front I beleive its a 30 degree radius. So the sound will disperse better than a box speaker. They are also dipolar which means the sound comes from the front and the back. A truly amazing speaker. The were in class b in stereophile since they came out. Get the biwired version there is a diffrence. I know have a larger room so I just sold my aerius 2 weeks ago and bought a used pair of sl3s same sound just more of it and better bass. I have not only heard alot of speakers but I have owned quite a few and no speaker I have ever heard has givin me so much sound for a great price.I love b&ws they are awesome I had 804 803 802 they are great. Not as real sounding as a martin logan. The only thing I will say is that the aerius arent the most bass heavy speaker in the world. But vocals will make you cry they sound so life like. My advice to you is to buy a used pair of aerius and you will be amazed with what you get.... they will all sound good but not as good as a logan. Also only take advice from a person who has owned equipment like the ones you are inquireing about how can somone give you advice if they heard them for 15 minutes at their local dealer? I saw a pair on audiogon for 1,100 good luck and enjoy. Regards Daniel
Mark Levinson 335
Mark Levinson38
Martin Logan sl3s
Theta Miles cd player
Harmonic Technologies through out

Daniel, I read your post this morning. Your personal experience with both B&W and ML's has sure put me in a state of seriously rethinking my decision. Because of your statements, I am now reconsidering buying the ML's instead of the B&W's. A friend at work who originally told me to go with ML's said I would never regret it. Thanks Steve R
Ps - Theres a thread going on - (is there an alternative to ML's) I say Yeah, sell em to me cheap and buy something else!!

Take your time: Listen, listen again, spend a few hours in a room with ML's. If there set up right, have the correct power - either in music or movie, they will impress you. I own the ReQuest's, purchased them a year ago and only want to replace the balance of my surrond system with ML's. They are quick, broad and life like.

Take the time to audition so you won't have to buy / sell / then make the right choice.

Hi there,
I have a pair of B&W Matrix 802 Sereis III's and am now (like yesterday after 2 listening sessions) seriously considering selling them in order to buy the ML Ascents. The 802's are an AMAZING speaker but I agree with many of the above comments in that the ML's do something to vocals and the complex higher frequencies found in violins and other strings that wants to make you cry. The sound is so real, so lifelike that you feel as if you are in the middle of it. It has been a long time since I have been that involved IN the music. I do not know how they will do in home theater but I can tell you that for music, there is no comparison. The 2 speakers are very different. In the end, it all comes down to personal taste, and what you listen to. For me the choice was simple, ML's. Good luck.