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Martin Logan Aeons help?

Has anyone heard anything about these speakers? I have tried to find reviews online and there just aren't any (search via google). I am trying to make a pretty tough decision based on the review and maybe your help as well. I own a pair that are about a year old and I think they have really good sound. However, I don't know if I can afford to keep them given that I have heard that they are expensive to match to both components and other speakers (for both home theater and stereo use). My current receive is pretty weak for this speaker (Denon AVR-3300) and I am thinking of upgrading, but it seems like everything is around 2-5k for something that will do them justice. Any thoughts here or something that I may be missing? I listen to blues, rock, and some jazz. I have been thinking of selling them and getting some B&W CDM9NTs (cheaper to match with other speakers) or maybe the Revel F30s. Any thoughts or comments would be very appreciated!!
clew84
clew84 OP
2 posts
 
Thank you for your response. I do value music more than HT so I agree that should drive the choices available. I've always wanted to have a good quality pre amp and power amp, but also wanted the HT system capabilities due to space issues (wife won't let me have dedicated 2-channel listening area in our place...yet:). Doing the separates is going to cost more, but it will be worth it in the end. I don't know a whole lot about separates yet - got to do some research which will be fun. Any ideas on what companies to consider given a budget of around $3k for both the pre and the power amp? Thanks again!
clew84 OP
2 posts
 
Thank you for your response. I do value music more than HT so I agree that should drive the choices available. I've always wanted to have a good quality pre amp and power amp, but also wanted the HT system capabilities due to space issues (wife won't let me have dedicated 2-channel listening area in our place...yet:). Doing the separates is going to cost more, but it will be worth it in the end. I don't know a whole lot about separates yet - got to do some research which will be fun. Any ideas on what companies to consider given a budget of around $3k for both the pre and the power amp? Thanks again!
agnes3
5 posts
 
Do yourself a big favor and get an 80 watt tube amp. What YOU will get is a layered sound of tinkling cymbals caressing your face and the ceiling and walls of your room, followed in the middle by vocals or lead instrument, then bass or drums in the background.

Invest in a good tube amp! Tube amplifiers and stats are a real good match. You will really appreciate the transperancy and coherencyof the music. Your system will become a musical instrument instead of a collection of gear.
amandarae
512 posts
 
Hello,

I demoed the Aeons for two weeks when I'm searching for speakers to buy. During that time, I used "two" amp set up. The first one using a receiver, the Yamaha RXV1 125 W/ch; and the second using an outboard (separate) amp, the Threshold Stasis S500 Series II 250 w/ch A-AB.

The difference is dramatic using the Threshold compared to the receiver. The electrostat will eat your receiver alive, no doubt! Planars, ribbons, or ESL panels requires good amplification (high current) because of the shift in the impedance curve during normal operation (say, 20hz-20khz). Some manufacturer's data indicates that the nominal impedance is about 4 Ohms at 1 Khz and goes down to 1.0 ohms at 20 Khz.( Martin Logans as a good example). Unless your receiver can handle such current transient demands, you will not experience the true beauty of electrostatic speakers at all!

Hope this helps
blw
147 posts
 
I would think that you could upgrade to an external power amplifier and satisfy the requirements. You only need two channels of clean power to handle them. I have used non-ML surrounds with my ML L/C/R and it worked fine. I mostly have ML surrounds now because I got a tremendous bargin on them (here at the 'Gon). I'd say that the most you'd really need to spend is a 2-channel amp and a ML Cinema center channel.

Not sure what your budget is, but I picked up a Counterpoint SA-220 (almost 400wpc @ 4 ohms, more than enough to run my larger Odysseys) for under $800. I picked up a newer Classe CA200 (also 400wpc @ 4 ohms) for around $1000. I'm not suggesting that you go buy either of these pieces, necessarily - but I know that they handle my speakers and one presumes they'll handle the Aeons at least as well. (and you can probably spend less.)
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