Magnepan vs. Martin Logan

There have been other threads on this subject but I will try again.

I have owned four pairs of Magneplanars including Tympani IVa's (my latest) and also Martin Logan SL-3s. Both companies make interesting speakers that are fun to own.

In general, I have found Magneplanars more musical -- there is something really uncanny about the presence of a good ribbon. (Which also explains the amazing midrange of the Apogees.) However, Maggies require lots of power to perform at their best, they can be tricky to place and they need a bit of volume to open up and sound alive.

Martin Logans on the other hand, have much more resolution at lower volumes. They are easier to place, although the integration of the woofer with the panel is not as seamless as they suggest. If your tastes lean more towards Led Zeppelin than Bach, I would lean towards the ML's. Ditto if most of your listening is at low volumes.

But if you are willing to allocate the space, put in the amplification and time involved in tweaking them to perfection, there is something magical about Magneplanars that is hard to beat.

I haven't heard Maggies, but I do have a pair of ML SL3s with a McCormack amp. They were originally powered by a DNA 0.5, but when I got a pretty good deal on a DNA 1/B I upgraded. The 0.5 was definitely good enough and - while audible - the improvements were marginal in going to the 1/B. Much may depend upon the size of your room and your normal listening levels.

Enjoy

I've owned Martin-Logan Sequel II, CLSIIz, and reQuest. Good speakers but, turned up, I felt there was a "glare". I have Magneplanar 3.6 now. No "glare" but they need plenty of power to wake up and boogie

120 watts is minimum for Maggies if you want even close to realistic listening levels, that said, my 1.6s have a glare and I think my room (13 x 22 x 8) needs to be bigger or I need more curtains. I really like these speakers and my Plinius with 100 watts class A is just barely enough power.

Cwlondon- couldn't have said it better myself!