Speakers to replace Martin logan Prodigys

Everybody has a lot of great suggestions. It really shows that I need to get out a listen to more speakers.

I can comment on running without a preamp using box type speakers. I currently use a RA Opus 21 direct to a Pass amp to Soliloquy two-way floorstanders in a small room. No preamp at all.

It is very satisfying. It was, and to some degree still is, a bit bass heavy (Due to the small room size methinks). I may not have the most critical ear. I somewhat like a little bass oomph. I would surmise that any difficulties from running Preampless would be independent of the speaker type . But, I could be wrong. The more experienced A'goners may be of more assistance.

I went through a similar process... I owned Prodigy's (and absolutely loved them (and no, the Summits aren't close IMHO)). I had to sell becouse I couldn't continue to run a monster tube amp in the Texas summer (and the damn thing kept blowing up). And, I can't even go there when anyone mentions SS... I have owned SL3's, Aeons, Maggies, etc. and could not find a box speaker that I could get used to.

I was visiting a guy who had a pair of Koechel (sp?) horns and was smitten, and I finally ended up with a pair of Avantgarde Duo's. They have the speed, air... yada yada that the panels do but they only take 6 watts or so to drive. They are a lot more dynamic and have better PRAT than the ML's. They jump!!! Big time. I think they play more different kinds of music well than the Logan's, but aren't as "pretty" sounding on SOME stuff. I still miss the holography thing that the Prodigy's can pull off from time to time too.

I don't know if your room is big enough for Avantgardes (you haven't given the dimensions)and they are a different take on things comparitively speaking. Of course you would need to change out your amps too... SET's are amazing BTW. You might want to check 'em tho.

Chris

CMO
I have thought about the Avant-gardes but they are out of my price range and I also believe they need room just like the Prodigy's did.
the room size is 12x18 so I am looking for something I can keep pretty close to the back wall. My listing chair will be about 12 to 14' from the speakers
Thanks again all the help

During CES, it became clear to me that price has nothing to do with satisfaction when it comes to loudspeakers. I heard several speakers below $2000/pair that were much more musical than 90% of the rest of the speakers I heard.

The point being that restricting yourself to a price range because you believe you will find a better speaker in a higher price range than in a lower price range may be the wrong approach.

A short list to consider if you can get beyond the concept of spending less: Silverline SR 17.5, Silverline Prelude, Totem Arro, Totem Sttaf, ACI Sapphire XL (sold direct with 30 day in-home audition), Harmonic Precision Caravelle (these are not inexpensive, but have great user reviews and also available with in-home audition). Silverline has a new $650/pair mini monitor that had everyone in the room laughing in disbelief at how good they sounded.

Placement is a large consideration in your room. For example, restricting placement close to the rear wall eliminates many floorstanders due to the tendency for the rear wall to overemphasize bass. The smaller floorstanders from Totem and Silverline sound terrific, and they benefit from placement near a rear wall.

Also, consider the placement of your listening chair. You want to sit in a position that puts you out of a node, otherwise you will hear problems similar to those realized by improper speaker placement.

Tvad
I am very open to spending less in fact that's what I want to do.
All I am saying is that I will not go beyond my limit that's all.
In fact I bought a pair of Von Schweikert VR4 original the other day for a 1000.00
I may keep these?? I haven't been able to really listen to them as I need another set of speaker wires.
I have been told that the Von Schweikert speakers can be placed up to the back wall because of there design.
As far as the listing position that was just a general number may be further maybe closer??
That all depends on what I end up using for speakers.
Your also right about some lower priced speakers sounding great.
I think some of the best rooms I heard the past 2 years at the Rocky Mountain audio fest were speakers I either have never heard about or did hear about but kinda blew them off in the past because of the very low price tag and them.
I will freely admit that in the past I have done that.
I figured if it had a low price it couldn't be good.
Going to all the Audio shows changed that.
So again I am not stuck in a certain price tag I just will not go over my budget that's all.
I probably shouldn't have said between this and that amount.