Speakers like 'stats but for smaller rooms?


I currently own and enjoy a Martin Logan Odyssey / Cinema / Scenario / Descent speaker system. Sonically I'm very pleased with it, but it was purchased with the intent to build a custom room for AV. Due to financial circumstances, it's become clear that this isn't going to happen for at least a couple of years. In fact, I'm even considering downsizing houses, since the last of the kids is about to achieve escape velocity within the next year.

The speakers, most especially the Odysseys, are just too big and demanding of placement for the "temporary" room in which they've been living for the past year, so I'm considering what might have similar type of sound without taking up so much space. I also liked the Magnepan 3.6s - better in fact - but they aren't any better about space, and arguably even worse.

The room is 15 x 14, and is primarily for 2ch music. However, 5ch theatre is required, primarily for other family members. They are not nearly as demanding, so it is acceptable to have "decent" 5-ch surround as long as the 2-ch is not compromised. I have a sub now, but it's not that necessary in this room as I am already loaded up with Bass Busters just to keep the mains down to near flat.

Let's call the budget about $7-8K, which can be allocated as desired amongst the various speakers. As a long-standing 'goner I'm quite open to purchasing used, and in general I think I'd prefer that route. I have a pretty good pair of Triad Silver surrounds in storage, too, so the budget might go a bit further if they are an appropriate match.

My musical taste is a bit convoluted: classical ranging from Bach on period instruments to Beethoven and Saint-Seans, folk music - mostly accoustic, 60s rock-and-roll, classical opera, and some country, not necessarily in that order on any given day.

Current electronics are a Counterpoint SA-11 preamp with Classe CA-200 and Counterpoint SA-220 power amps. I would think that either of the power amps are capable of driving almost any speaker, especially in my small room, but I'm open to changing them if the speakers demand it.

Obviously I'm going to go listen to stuff like what's recommended. Even though I live in the boonies, I have regular access to major metropolitan cities and I can always hear stuff there.

PS I know what'll happen. I'll downsize the speakers, then we'll change houses, and as soon as the speakers are downsized, the new house will magically have enough space for the old system. But if I don't, Murphy's Law indicates that we'll be here forever!
blw

Showing 1 response by audiokinesis

Greetings Blw,

I hope you don't mind a dealer crawling out of the woodwork here...

You see, I own and sell electrostats, and I'm also quite partial to Maggies. In my experience, not many "box" speakers successfully follow in the footsteps of a good planar.

Among the few that can follow on the heels of planars is the Gradient Revolution. They are very relaxing - you can listen to 'em all day long. And there are smaller, similarly-voiced Gradients to round out a multi-channel system. I have a customer with Gradients who previously owned Quad 988's, 989's, and Martin Logan Odysseys. He's had the Revolutions for about a year and a half now - which for him is a record.

A pair of Revolutions and a trio of Preludes (for center and rear) would be in your price ballpark and would sound quite good. I haven't heard the Revolutions with your amps - they tend to like big, lively amplifiers like the Parasound JC-1's.

I can arrange an in-home demo of the Revolutions for you if you'd like, and of course I'd be more than happy to take a shot at any questions you might have.

More info at www.gradient.fi.

Best of luck to you whichever way you go,

Duke