I grabbed a pair of the ESL's about 4 weeks ago.
They are not fully "run in yet", but the synergy between my Wadia cdp, VTL LS5.5, and VTL 185 signature mono's work splendid in my man cave.
I came from a Klipsch RF 7 series set up, and they don't appear to handle the surround formats as well as the Klipsch (about 12db less efficient than Klipsch) nor are they as dynamic (which may also be due to the efficiency) but they crush the Klipsch in 2 channel for their speed, accuracy, and tonal balance are untouchable.
I listen to John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Dave Mathews, Ray Charles, and the instruments and vocals, as well as bass and drums are so life like..... The Klipsch werent bad at 2 channel, but there was a lot of detail I was missing as far as sounds ending and new ones beginning. The ML's handle the transients with great finnese. I bought a pair of ML Source a little over a year ago after seeing the TAS Golden Ear Award, and I have been sold on ML every since.
I now use the Source as surrounds, the ESL's as fronts, and grabbed a Motion C for the center.
I have yet to calibrate my surround set up for I want to get more run time on my ESL's (and center) but am convinced I went the right direction based on 2 channel listening alone. I can run the throttle up a little to get the dynamics in surround mode when the Packers go through the playoffs, and win another super bowl.
Best of luck in your endeavour, hope this helps,
Bob
They are not fully "run in yet", but the synergy between my Wadia cdp, VTL LS5.5, and VTL 185 signature mono's work splendid in my man cave.
I came from a Klipsch RF 7 series set up, and they don't appear to handle the surround formats as well as the Klipsch (about 12db less efficient than Klipsch) nor are they as dynamic (which may also be due to the efficiency) but they crush the Klipsch in 2 channel for their speed, accuracy, and tonal balance are untouchable.
I listen to John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Dave Mathews, Ray Charles, and the instruments and vocals, as well as bass and drums are so life like..... The Klipsch werent bad at 2 channel, but there was a lot of detail I was missing as far as sounds ending and new ones beginning. The ML's handle the transients with great finnese. I bought a pair of ML Source a little over a year ago after seeing the TAS Golden Ear Award, and I have been sold on ML every since.
I now use the Source as surrounds, the ESL's as fronts, and grabbed a Motion C for the center.
I have yet to calibrate my surround set up for I want to get more run time on my ESL's (and center) but am convinced I went the right direction based on 2 channel listening alone. I can run the throttle up a little to get the dynamics in surround mode when the Packers go through the playoffs, and win another super bowl.
Best of luck in your endeavour, hope this helps,
Bob