Martin Logan vs. Everything

I have ML Montis speakers in my 2 channel room and I love them just as much as the original poster on this thread.  I have heavily treated my room to make them as good as I possibly can, and I spent hours and hours and hours dialing them into the "perfect" location for my main listening chair.  I agree that the shortcoming of these speakers is the very small sweet spot for listening.  If I move to the adjacent chair in my room, the sound stage is underwhelming and not even close to what I experience in my primary listening spot.  For me, this is fine because I am the sole listener for 99% of the time that music is played in this room.

I have visited many high-end audio stores in search of a system that sounds better, but I have not found that system yet (and I have listened to some very pricey systems).   I would love to find something that I like better, but I haven't - so I guess that's good news.  I'm sure my wife is happy that I am happy with the current system! 

ML is a very good loudspeaker.  To think that you should go looking for something better is childish if you enjoy what you're hearing now.

I first heard 'stats about 40 years ago.  I ran a pair of X-Static EC-X loudspeakers (very similar to your ML 13a) for about 10 years.  I loved the tonal balance but they just never imaged all that well for me.  Like your ML, they were a curved diaphram electrostat.  I paired them with some subs I designed.

In 2006 I moved on from them to some custom built Linkwitz Orions, which I still run to this day.  The Orions have a very similar tonal balance to my old 'stats, but image extremely well.  They are truly exceptional on voices and acoustic piano and they can deliver level and dynamics your ML 13a could only dream about.  Level and dynamics are the one short coming of 'stats.    You may think you have good dynamics, but you don't.  Really.

The Linkwitz designs are mostly home-brew DIY systems, though there is a company in Europe that sells turnkey versions of the LX521 for about $20k.  You can build the LX521 system, with amplification, for as little as $6k.  It's an extraordinary loudspeaker system with even more dynamics than my Orions.

Don't look around to find someone who has them and go listen.  It would break your heart.

My audio buddy recently passed and I have inherited his ML CLS IIz's and ML subs.  I spent many years listening to them.  They are wonderful speakers!  I had Maggie Tympani !-D's and Quad 57's earlier on.  I didn't think I could ever go back to the box, until I got JBL Hartsfield's and all Marantz tube gear.  Unfortunately I don't have room for the ML's and subs, so I will have to be listing them soon.  
Enjoy the music everyone~

I’m a Maggie guy, but was always intrigued by ML’s. I’m considering a pair, but plan to keep my Maggie’s too. Different sounding, but both have that magical soundstage and organic sound.

tony1954

840 posts

12-08-2023 at 01:24pm 

"I love Maggies, I dislike MLs."

This type of response is why I hate forums sometimes.

Why is their opinion so important to them, that they need to dump on someone else's joy?

"Martin Logan versus Everything"

yah....that doesn't invite comparisons at all. 

If you think that's "dumping" on anyone, you really need to grow a pair.