Thoughts on the new Martin Logan Summit Speakers

Over the weekend I was able to listen to the new ML Summit speakers which are priced at about $10k in the system of a fellow audiophile that I visit on an irregular basis. Previously he had used a pair of the ML Monoliths. Other components include a Levinson transport, MR-78 tuner, a Tact pre-amp (latest), Parasound JC-1's and ML Descent subs in a reasonably large room. I have heard the Monoliths in this system on a number of ocassions and they have never really excited me. Both the Monoliths and the Summits were equalized in the digital domain to remove room artefacts.

Martin Logan includes the Summits in their "Reference" speakers along with the Statements. They are reminiscent of the Prodigies with an electrostatic panel crossed over to a 10" powered/EQ'd woofer. The panel are apparently cryogenically treated and include ML's latest technology.

Although the listening session was only an hour, several things were clear. This is an exceptional speaker with an exceptional level of transparency. It absolutely destroys the Monoliths sonically in evry parameter, except the ability to move large amounts of air at very low frequencies. Although ML claims that it goes down to 25 hz, it clearly benefitted from the Descent subs crossed in at 55 hz. We mainly listened to baroque music and chamber works. The string tone was excellent. Voices were also very nice. I would strongly recommend these speakers to anyone looking for a speaker at this price point. They have the added benefit of being a manageable size and the clear panels help make them less obtrusive visually in the room.