Martin Logan vs. Everything

If the OP loves his ML, that’s fantastic. Easier on his wallet.

@tony1954 I agree but it was kind of an open question ( "Fight me." ) to who likes or dislikes them. (poll?)

I think they have a very serious product line and the science behind. It's a matter of preference. Comparing them to Magicos is a compliment.

MGIIs in '70s, box spkr x 12, Quad ESL63, box speaker, EMT LFT8C for now is giving me ribbon, planar, and two dynamic drivers.

I have kinda given up on chasing now, and I'm not recommending a different speaker. Look at "previously owned" speakers available for audition. It's not yanking their chain, you might find what you are looking for. 

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.

First, I would say that your subjective opinion on what speakers make you happy is ALL that is important.

Second, any hi-fi salesperson is going to find what they think is the weak link (in your system or your mental armor) and exploit that for a sale, albeit that doesn't mean you shouldn't ever at least consider their input;

Third, if you have any concerns about whether a different speaker could be an upgrade, borrow them and listen. Any salesperson who comments on a weak link should be willing to lend them out.

My $.02, I had a pair of cheaper MLs and I didn't really like them, but the room placement was totally sub-optimal.  I didn't give them much of a shot before I moved on.  

I will also say that a big Magnepan like the 3 series, especially with added woofers, isn't that short on bass.  It won't necessarily push your hair back but it also has a beautiful character totally distinct from cone/box.

I am currently running a pair of Expression 13a and a pair of Aerial 10t in my music room. Previously I had a pair of Logan Summit X and Magnepan 3.7i. The Magnepans were great but I felt the Logans were just a bit better. I then sold those and stepped up to the 13a that has way better bass control and room correction. I listen to the 10t when I’m moving around and doing things but for real listening it’s the Logans. My only complaint is the small sweet spot but a nice Bourbon and a comfortable chair solves that. If you are happy with them that is all that matters, after all it’s you that has to be pleased.

I have the Maggie’s 3.7i and love them. 
I’ve auditioned ML’s at Magnolia several times and they sound overly bright to me. Magnolia occasionally has sales on MLs at substantial discounts. 

From my experience and many others I have spoken with Magnolia is a terrible place to audition speakers. Their rooms are very badly set up.

@tony1954 As for the @secretguy post.... his words were completely civil and exactly addressed the Original Post. He did not say he "hated" anything, nor did he proclaim that M-L sucks. He simply stated what he liked and disliked. How is that dumping? The original poster asked for it!

I don’t like Rap music, or country music, or opera!

My statement does not "dump on" those genres, nor does it judge the people who love those genres. I reserve the right to dislike things that are very good.

Oh yeah.... I love my old SL3's.... as well as my B&W's and Tannoys.  

Unless you broke somthing, it is not your speakers.  I have a pair of older Ethos model and they sound great with the Hegel h190 and Eversolo DMP-A6 dac.  

Check your source, amp and cables. 

I have had ML's since 1996, which are still in my living room and have upgraded to the ESLXs in my office.  If you like the sound from the MLs that is all that matters!  The only true negative point about the MLs is that their panels loose their fidelity over time and may need to be replaced after 10 to 15 years.  I've noticed the highs have faded a bit from my 1996 models in the living room but my own ears have also faded over the years. :)  Don't worry about what the dealers are telling you, they want to sell you new speakers. Trust your own ears, no one else will experience the audio the same way that you do.  Good luck with whatever decision that you make, just remember to enjoy the music!

Thanks everyone!!!  I had a few drinks when I wrote my original post… I’m glad to see so much love for the Logans. By the way,.. terrible sweet spot but it’s just for me and the room and system is tuned to my liking so who cares right!!! 
im super happy now with my setup and I just buy records if I want to spend money on my system. 
also I will say this… to make these speakers truly tremendous, EVERYTHING MATTERS. I had a bug zapper in the garage.. I could hear it in the panels. That’s what started me on dedicated lines, grounds, and power conditioning. I have tuned and treated every aspect of my system and it’s wonderful 

I have the older martin logan Ethos which are very close to the 13a.  They are very good speakers for details, but not as smooth as my sonus fabers.  Its more about prefrence than anything else.  Diffrent but not always better.