2. speakers
  3. 130087-88530

Martin Logan Tweaks / Upgrades

Hi!

I read an article before with tweaks or ways to improve the sound of Magnepans, but I can't find any advice or ways to upgrade Martin Logan speakers. 
I have the Martin Logan Vista's. They sound amazing and they definitely dont need tweaking, but I love messing around with hardware haha. If ever I decide to try and tweak my speakers, are there any recommended tweaks I can do? 

Also, do replacing the original ML power cords for the speakers do any good? Does that make the sound quality out of the speakers better or should I just stick with the original power cords? 


Thanks,
Shawn
128x128shawnpmathew
ddzstereo
84 posts
 
I have CLX and the have a vertical brace from the base along the entire outside edge of the panel, so the 'dowel' tweak makes sense to me.  

I also suggest/agree adjusting vertical angle makes a significant difference in the sound.  You need to experiment with the angle based on your taste, listening height and distance from the panels.

The MLO site has several schematics for the X-over (I doubt you will get anything from ML directly, I have tried)
http://www.martinloganowners.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?77-ML-Schematics

Here is a link to some upgrades for CLXs that I have participated in (not the model that you have, but the concepts still apply)
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/planars-exotics/179196-martin-logan-clx-mods.html


georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
pokey77
George, that's an interesting tweak. Not exactly the most aesthetic thing to do to a beautiful speaker though.

No it's no Mona Lisa, but it's the single most improving tweak you can do to a pair of ML's. 
It's like having great two way bookshelves and sticking them on the worst wobbly stands. Then hearing them on the most solid rigid one you can get.

The first thing you'll notice is the image, then the depth and the dynamics.

ML's ESL panels wobble back and fro way too easy, even my Monoliths which have a frame all the way round.

Cheers George 
shawnpmathew's avatar
shawnpmathew OP
12 posts
 
@ps68 - I rather not upgrade my speakers because I got a FANTASTIC deal on these (got them on craigslist in perfect condition for a fraction of the retail price at only a year old). Finding another deal like that on ML speakers will be very rare haha. And this is a recent upgrade from what I had before - B&W CM8's. 

Also, your setup looks awesome!!! 


@georgehifi - I will try your suggestion of mounting it down somehow to it doesn't move. 

@ddzstereo -  I will also look into your panel angle suggestion. That should help me out as well. Thanks!

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

And here's a biggie I forgot about. In case you don't know.

Darken the room, sit in you listening chair and shine a torch from the top of your head to each speaker so you get the reflection of it in the panel.
Each panel the refection should be one third from the inside edge and at mid panel in height.

Then do the dowel/blutak trick.

Cheers George
More to discover