Purchasing Montis or save money with Ethos?

I have now decided to purchase Montis or Ethos and not upgrade to new Quads. I have some questions before I can take "the big" decision.

- I have heard the Montis, and I think they need no more additional sub. This may not be the case with the Ethos. Any experiences on this?

- IS the additional cost buying the Montis worth it? Is an Ethos with sub maybe better? (Some have even claimed that the Ethos are more detailed on this forum..)

- If would like to purchase montis Dark cherry, or Ethos cherry. The dealer claim that the dark cherry is way more expensive than the normal black (17% more expensive) due to the paint job. Is this true? This is not a show stopper for me (I want them to fit in my living room with several it italian dark wood furniture) - but I am not sure if I trust the dealer..

- I have not benchmarked the Montis with my Mcintosh 7900. I can always re-sell the Mcintosh because I got a demo used one for a good price. I suspect that the Ma7900 is "overkill" for the Montis - and maybe there are better amps out there for the Montis or Ethos. The reason I got the Ma7900 is because I liked the sound, the deep soundstage and the tube like sound on my Quads ESL 63.

- The dealer wants to sell me demo-used Montis - but I have learned to never buy used ESL speakers. They may have been used with wrong amps or damaged in other ways. Any comments?

I have Montis, my friends have the Ethos. I think imaging and music in general is better with the Montis. If you want these for home theater then the .ethos would serve well.

I think used ESLs if they are working, and if you know what the existing owner is driving them with, should be fine. If he has been using it for a while he probably is experienced with ESLs and has been driving them with usual suspects

If you're thinking of buying one of two speakers, you have to hear both.

Montis..................dealer demo (assuming full warranty) = no problem, IMO.

If good price on use Montis and full manufacturer warranty. Montis would sound great with MA7900.

123acoustic said:

If good price on use Montis and full manufacturer warranty. Montis would sound great with MA7900.

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Ok, thanks! Considering the active subs in the Montis - maybe a bit more "refined" amplifier with less watts (maybe a class A?) would be a better match?