Magnepans VS MartinLogan for detail and sound staging


I'm currently an owner of Magnepan 1.7s paired with a Peachtree PreDAC/GaN400 bundle. 

I'm one of those listeners who loves detail and accurate sound staging.

On some levels I'm perfectly happy with the sound as when I play Grateful Dead's Ripple at mid volume where I can position every voice, every guitar strum with amazing clarity. When I step up to something fuller and more complex musically like something off the Doors first album or even something musically symphonic like Saint-Saen's Organ Symphony or the Nutcracker at mid-level volume the fullness and detail begin to wear thin.

I also have a 30 year old Yamaha subwoofer that I occasionally use for any recording that seems to need a boost for my 72 year old ears.

Though I haven't listened to them yet, research makes me think that a pair of Martin-Logan ESL's could improve my experience since they're less demanding power-wise than my Maggie's and have a reputation for delivering the sound nuances I'm looking for. On the other hand maybe I should be investing in a different amp or preamp?

Any suggestions from anyone who's ventured down a similar path?

 

baconboy

Not sure how the Peachtree AMP sounds but If you want more from the Maggies get one with the ribbon tweeter. A big Martln-Logan would cost much more. I'm going to assume you have your 1.7s pulled well out into the room and away from the back wall. You would be happy with the new 2.7, 3.7, 0r 20.7. The bigger the better.

Consider high passing the amp to your Maggie’s and get a modern sealed sub (Rythmic or SVS). Taking the bass load off Maggie’s is magical.

I own some LRS+ but I think the ESL Martin Logans are on a different level. My local dealer has both and I have heard almost all the bigger models and ML wins easily for me. Quite a bit more cash though. I have owned the Peachtree 300 and loved it but I doubt it's the best for Maggies. I haven't heard it though.

When I step up to something fuller and more complex musically like something off the Doors first album or even something musically symphonic like Saint-Saen’s Organ Symphony or the Nutcracker at mid-level volume the fullness and detail begin to wear thin.

I also have a 30 year old Yamaha subwoofer that I occasionally use for any recording that seems to need a boost for my 72 year old ears.

Though I haven’t listened to them yet, research makes me think that a pair of Martin-Logan ESL’s could improve my experience since they’re less demanding power-wise than my Maggie’s and have a reputation for delivering the sound nuances I’m looking for. On the other hand maybe I should be investing in a different amp or preamp?

 

Doing justice to dense explosive orchestra can become a very expensive difficult pursuit. This is where complex multichannel/atmos rigs n all tend to come in. Why do you think many audiophiles play very simple music (a single string + a wailing vocalist) to evaluate their rigs...Assuming your pockets are not bottomless, stay with the Magnepan, i.e the devil you know. The Martin Logan comes with its fair share/healthy dose of headaches as well.

Subs from 30 years ago were terrible. Replace that 30 year old Yamaha sub with a pair of Rythmik FM8 subwoofers. This is a unique sub/staple solution that will come in handy to help out the magnepan...also double up as midbass units if needed, with a higher crossover (add to the perception of fullness, address the lack of sound power in that band, etc). Put them close to the magnepans on the front stage to prevent localization, if, crossing over higher.

Replace the class D Peach (not the right amp) with a pair of Schiit Tyr monoblocks.

This would a budget oriented solution (right type of foundation/support structure) to juice up the magnepans....

 

Unfortunately to get a new Magnepan with a ribbon tweeter you need to move up to the 2.7i. Unfortunately, way too big of a speaker for my room. I wish Magnepan would make a smaller speaker with a ribbon tweeter. I currently have LRS+ but because of this shortcoming I am looking at other brands. I can completely relate to the OP. I am looking at other options.