I've heard the MartinLogan CLX.... WOW

The speaker looks like a DIY project. Especially the rear of the base. Should this thing really cost $20k? How awful!

Chris

Great write up.

I am a huge fan of huge 'stats, however space limits for me dictate that 'stats are out of the question. Worst is I own great amps for stats - Atma MA1's.

Just a few weeks ago I heard my friends Soundlab U-1 with the latest PX technology panels. I had heard them before the PX upgrade and loved them, but now they are more robust, play louder and are more dynamic.

If you have not heard these, I think you should, since they are similarly Priced (Maybe Soundlab A-1's are the same price), and both represent the latest generation of 'stat technology. I know you are a Logie, but unless you are getting a deal from the factory for being such an evangelist (I think you should actually) you owe it to yourself to investigate all avenues.

I'd like to hear these myself - even if it would be a total tease for me.

On another note - I wonder what the CLX would image like in a more normal sized room than you heard them in? My friends U1's are not in a large room, and they don't as such dissapear - though they do in larger room's I'm told.

Did the CLX give that illusion of dissapearing?

I used to own ESL63's and in a 20x14 room they did image quite well, but of course that was a much smaller speaker that had plenty of room to 'breath.'

hi tom:

i visited the martin logan website. the frequency response of the spealers is indicated as down 3 db at 56 hz.

i would say such a frequency response would be presented as somewhat lean, since the speaker is not flat to 60 hz.

i haven't auditioned the speakers myself, so i can't judge. however, the specs seem to indicate the speaker is bass-challenged. by the way, i did read your review.

the solid state components used to demo the speaker would not be my first chice, and with my experience at ces shows and auditioning speakers at other venues, i would suspect that what you heard could hardly be described as warm sounding or full-bodied. then again, as i said, i haven't heard this speaker, although i have heard many logan models in the past (my friend has the quest z speakers).

i prefer tubes and panels.mrtennis

It is my experience that Martin Logan chooses an amp for it's ability to handle it's wicked impedance curve rather than how it sounds. No offense intended but I never thought Krell was a good match.
I have never heard the combo but they also think Mcintosh is a good match. I would prefer a deuce of moscode 401hr running in mono.
I'll say it one more. The speaker is what it is. Subs have always been in order for the CLS. xover at 360hz means not only is the CLX not a full range design it is probably a three way design.

We all know that Tom is biased. he founded the M/L sight because of his love for the speaker. He is like the guy waiting for the next star wars movie. Further more being invited to the M/L factory for a full day to hear a new speaker had to have effect on him. it's the same if Speilburg invited a trekkie for a private screening.
Nevertheless a true trekkie would call it like he sees it. I believe at least that Tom liked the speaker. Time will tell if the bloom fades off the rose.
That's the beauty of not having much money. By the time I have saved up enough money to buy, others have fully vetted the product.

Valid points Gregadd...it says alot for a product when a fellow is so taken he starts a site to extoll the virtues of something.Going to a dedicated room in Kansas is very similiar to a Star Wars venture,at least the last time I was there.....kind of like yesterday when I saw Peter Cushing in a Laurel and Hardy movie...hard to describe when you've been transported sometimes to others who haven't....cheers,Bob