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Martin-Logan as alternative to Magnepan 1.6's

I was in a dealer's showroom today and explained to him what I was trying to do: build a new system that is 90% as good as it gets for placement in a little bit of an ackward room. I had pretty much settled on the Magneplanar 1.6's with an amp "with enough power to run an arc welder". My dealer suggested I consider the Martin-Logan Mosaic or Clarity speakers. Used, I would even consider the Aeon's.

The advantages of the Martin-Logans are a) easier to set up, b) they could be adequately powered by a good hybrid integrated amp ($1500 to $2000 range), and c) their good sound could be appreciated at low volumes better, i.e. if one was hosting a dinner party.

The Martin-Logan Clarity's are about $2600 vs $1750 for the Maggies (plus Mye stands, etc.). How much different are these two speakers? If one of my goals is to produce the feeling of a large open space in which an orchestra or jazz quartet is playing, (with excellent tube electronics and adequate interconnects/speaker cables) will I be able to accomplish this with the M-L Clarity's? Will I be at least 90% there, as compared to what I could do with box speakers (Theil 2.6's would come to mind)?

I expect there are committed fans of each speaker
delsfan
nickway
168 posts
 
I too am in the same boat as you.

I am trying to afford some Martin Logans and I have been doing a lot of reading. You could try posting your question at www.martinloganowners.com as well, they are really helpful.

My affordable dream speaker is (if I save for a really REALLY long time) an Aeon (i). From what I have read it is really were the ML starts coming together.

From what I have read the Mosaic is more dynamic than the Clarity while the Clarity has a bigger soundstage and a more intamate feel. But it is not until the Aeon that you get more dynamics as well as all the virtues of the ESL.

The Aeon is the also is the cheapest speaker in the ML line that supports an upgradedable power cord and bi-wiring. That says something to me - I would not want to go an lower down the line than the Aeon. Even though it is out of my price range for now.

You could also look on the used market. I constantly have an eye on it and if you are in the right location or are willing to ship it gives you some more options.

Cheerio,
Nick
delsfan OP
19 posts
 
I was saying, as I clicked the wrong button, I expect there are committed fans of each speaker manufacturer, and I know I love the magneplaner sound with tube electronics - it's just that I don't think I'll ever get the Maggies set up to sound their best in my living room (not small, but not symmetrical).

Thanks for the advice on martinloganowners.com; I'll post the same question there.
"The Aeon is the also is the cheapest speaker in the ML line that supports an upgradedable power cord and bi-wiring."
Looks like the Aeon's (used!) could do what I'm asking then. Could one say they might be better than the 1.6's - and not as good (or a matter of opinion) than the 3.6's?

Seems like the M-L Aeon's (for more money than the Magneplanar 1.6's) are quite good - and would surpass the sound (that I like, anyway) of any box speaker.

I'll be glad to hear some more of your comments.
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gkmcl
3 posts
 
I've owned and enjoyed Maggie's for 20 years (1.6's, 1.5's and smga's)but I'm also a fan of M-L (at friends). I've found the room to make more of a difference than you'd expect and have found cathedral and/or high ceilings to allow Maggies to open up (it might be the larger volume of the room equates to a little higher level). You should listen to both but if your room is not large I would expect the M-L's to be better in a more intimate setting.
rooze's avatar
rooze
632 posts
 
Delsfan, having heard Aeon's, SL3's, Prodigy's, and the Aerius, I would suggest sticking with the Magnepans. I've never heard an ML where the woofer integrates seamlessly with the electrostatic panels. I've only ever heard them in a dealer environment, with less than perfect setup, and I know from what other people say that they can sound really good, but I just don't think you'll have the same issues with the 1.6. What is the problem with your room?....remember that planers radiate in a figure 8 pattern so sidewall influences are less than with a typical box speaker. The only real issue I would see is if the wall behind the speaker is uneven, or opens into another room or whatever. You need that wall to be even and parallel with the speaker to reflect evenly back into the room. If you sit fairly 'nearfield' you can eliminate many room influences, with the exception of the wall behind the speaker.
I'd stick with the 1.6 over ML's.
meta
20 posts
 
I completely agree with Rooze. With ML integration of woofers is problematic and their sound (at lower frequencies where woofer kicks-in) is room dependent. Few years ago I helped a friend of mine with purchase and a set-up of Magnepans 1.6 and their sound was incredible (If you go with Magnepans, please consider good quality sub-woofer).
I am personally a proud owner of Martin Logan CLS and use 2 separate sub-woofers to avoid problems with integration.
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