Hi Abe, I've never been able to compare the Thiel's to the ML, but I own both the SL3's and the CLS. I think that you will find that the ML are rather placement sensitive. small changes can make large performance differances. I find 4 feet out from the back wall to work well in my room. although I have not tried tube amps with them, I understand they love tube amps. most of the newer ML models are fairly efficient and should do well with modest tube power. keep in mind that most ML speakers are 4 ohms and at times go down to 2 ohms. many amps, both tube and SS aren't happy doing so. another note is that ML have what I would consider to be seperate woofers not sub-woofers. their smaller models are reasonably flat down to about 35Hz. hope this helps. Paul
Thiel CS 1.5 vs Small Martin Logan?
I've never tried ML speakers and I'm curious about the smaller models, like Aerius-i. My listening room isn't big and unfortunately I cannot move the speakers more than 3-feet from the back wall or 1.5-feet from the left wall. I like my Thiel CS 1.5's that I've owned for 7 years and they are a good match for my 70w/ch tube amp.
1) In general how do the smaller ML speakers sound compared to the small Thiel CS 1.5's? I ask this question with the assumption that both speakers are being driven by a hefty solid-state amp and not starved for power. How's the ML bass since the panel is integrated with a powered sub-woofer, right? Is ML room placement super critical?
2) I know that my Thiel CS 1.5's sound surprisingly good with my modest 70w/ch tube amp. Thiels are supposedly current hungry speakers but the small 1.5's aren't that difficult. The bass is decent but not huge. Will the smaller ML's sound decent with a modest amount of tube power?
1) In general how do the smaller ML speakers sound compared to the small Thiel CS 1.5's? I ask this question with the assumption that both speakers are being driven by a hefty solid-state amp and not starved for power. How's the ML bass since the panel is integrated with a powered sub-woofer, right? Is ML room placement super critical?
2) I know that my Thiel CS 1.5's sound surprisingly good with my modest 70w/ch tube amp. Thiels are supposedly current hungry speakers but the small 1.5's aren't that difficult. The bass is decent but not huge. Will the smaller ML's sound decent with a modest amount of tube power?