Since 15 years I have ML model Sl3 ...odyssey prodigy and now summit x with viola legacy I' m very happy
Martin Logan speakers
Are Martin Logan speakers still considered to be high quality speakers? (I have an opportunity to buy a used pair of Vistas) I have an old Audio Research VT130 amplifier. Would it be a good fit with the Martin Logans? If not, what would be better, but not outrageously expensive?
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- 44 posts total
The Vista looks like the upgraded version of the older Aerius i model that I have and they are decent sounding speakers. The ESL speakers have a different sound from the mainstream voice coil design and are also very directional with a very narrow sweetspot. They are bi-polar by design so you need at least 3 feet space behind them to get a good soundstage. As for the power requirements, it all depends on your listening room size, how loud is you listen to your music but I don’t think anything less than a 50wpc 4 ohm capable amplifier will make them sound any good, regardless of the room size. I don’t see a 4 ohm spec for the VT130 but my guess is it’ll have a hard time delivering a tight bass as well as a crisp high octave. The midrange will probably sound real good. By the way, I think the VT130 is one of the coolest looking ARC gears. A real classic. |
I probably should stay quiet, but here's my (limited, very limited) experience with ML's: I loved the sound but found that the " sweet spot" was incredibly tiny, and that even a half-head's width off of that led to such a stunning drop in sound I could not consider them. Maybe it was the pair I was auditioning, not sure. Others may have had a different experience. |
jcder I love ML speakers and have owned a few, but with the right amp if your to get the very best from them . Most ML speakers dive down to less than 1ohm in the highs 10-20khz, this could very well reduce the sparkle and extension in the highs, using the AR tube amp/s it may sound distant and recessed. Also very hard for a tube is around 4.5khz were it’s 3ohm and -60degrees negative phase angle, this could reduce "presence" using tube as an amp. Here is a shot of the Montis impedance/phase graph, which will be very similar to the Vista. https://www.stereophile.com/images/912Montisfig1.jpg Cheers George |
- 44 posts total