Should I upgrade to Martin Logan Montis?


Hi folks, need unbiased opinions. I have a chance to upgrade my current setup: Martin Logan Theos + Depth i subwoofer

I am working a local deal to trade the above + $3500 for a pair of like new Montis.

I run an analogue front end consisting of a VPI Traveler turntable and Sutherland phono preamp.

I have a Emotiva ERC-3 CD player and Emotiva XPS-1 preamp and XPA-2 stereo amp.

All connected with Transparent MusicWave/Link Ultra level speaker cables and interconnects. Voodoo power cables throughout.

Would the 3500.00 best be spent on the speaker upgrade or an upgrade to say the preamp.

Thanks,
Jason
jasonsim

Showing 4 responses by tomcy6

I haven't heard the Theos or the Montis but since no one else is jumping in here's my 2 cents. Many ML owners feel that the larger panel of the Montis is an audible improvement over the smaller panel of the Theos.

Next, the new hybrids (especially those with the powered woofer) are supposed to be ML's best integration of panel and woofer cone yet. The Montis should have plenty of bass, unless you're a bass head, so reducing the number of crossovers and trusting that ML can do the transition from woofer to panel better than you can makes the Montis sound pretty enticing.

I'm a believer in the theory that in the real world (sub $100,000) speakers can offer the biggest upgrade bang for the buck. You could take all this out of the realm of theory and haul your speakers down to the dealer's shop and compare them to the Montis.
Another way to come at this question is to ask if you're happy with the overall sound of your system. The MLs are very transparent speakers so they will definitely reflect the components upstream from them.

Do you wish your system sounded a little smoother or more lively or more relaxed, for example? If so, getting a nice tube preamp or one of the Pass XA.5 amps that are showing up here a lot lately might provide more of what you're looking for.

Also, if you have a smaller room the Montis might be too much speaker. What do you think Jason?
Well, you got a nice deal on the Montis. I don't think you'd have a problem getting your money back if they don't work out.

Are you familiar with the Martin Logan Owners website? In the Room Acoustics forum there's a thread (14x18x8) where someone posts that his Montis sound good in a room about the size of yours.

There is also a thread in there somewhere where someone did extensive testing of room treatments and came to the conclusion that using absorption behind the speakers worked the best. That might especially be worth a try if you can't get them out very far from the front wall.

Let me know what you think after you get a chance to listen to them.
Glad to hear that you like the Montis so well Jason. Is the low level you speak of the bass frequencies?

As far as cables go, they shouldn't affect the sound because they are just charging the panels. The audio signal is produced by your amp. But they might make a difference, you never know. I would try some cables that you already own before buying new ones though.