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Nola Contender and Martin Logan Electro-MotionESL

At CES in January, 2011, I read that the Nola Contneder and the Martin Logan Electro-Motion ESL speakers were the new buzz in the under $5000 category.

Has anyone heard either or both?? I think display pairs are in most franchise audio shops. If you have heard one or other, let us know how they sound, and whether they perform beyond their price tag. I do not have access to audition either

There is a lot of competition in that $2000-5000 range. I read that the new Martin Logan speaker might be their best "budget" speaker offering since the Aerius I model
sunnyjim

Showing 2 responses by grege

grege
47 posts
 
I heard both at the recent Newport show. They are both excellent but I prefer the detail of the logans.
grege
47 posts
 
Jim - I agree that this site and the high end hobby is slowing. Home theater is the only thing keeping audio alive now. People dismiss the "2 channel is dead" theory but the numbers don't lie and the demographic is dying out and high end audio is a shrinking niche market.

Regarding speakers, I too am biased towards Martin Logans and electrostats in general but I also realize their weaknesses. After years of headphone listening I started to become disenchanted with a lack of detail in most speakers which led me to the Logans. I use a sub to get around the lack of bass problem but lack of dynamics is something I live with in exchange for the incredible transparency. Cones do have more meat on the bones sound vs electrostats which sound a little less fleshy. Hard to describe really. I am 100% happy with my ML Aeon-i's and ML Dyanamo subs (2). If I were shopping in that price range again I would listen to the Nolas, Martin Logans, Magnepans, smaller Vandersteens, and Gallos.

I would not overlook the ML Source if you can live with it's limitations.
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