Boy is this going to start some controversy!
Simply put, I love the Martin Logan sound. I truly do. I want that out there first and foremost. I had dreamed of owning these speakers for many years. To me, they are a dream come true. Is Martin Logan the best? I highly doubt it. Common folks, think about it. If ML was the best, why would people buy Wilson, Sonus Faber, B&W, Innersound, or Avantgarde to name a few at such a higher cost? I don’t know what kind of reply Joey was seeking when he started this post but from me you’re going to get brutal honesty. I also realize that I am posting in “The Martin Logan Owners Club”. I would never expect anything but rave reviews of ML products here. I am an owner of Martin Logan too and I do love my speakers! Also, this is JUST my opinion and as we all know, that does not mean it is factual in any way, shape, or form. Had to throw the disclaimer out there for you legal eagles.
Now if I had the money (Steve made this point very eloquently), I would probably own the top of the line Wilsons. I have heard the Watt Puppys and the MAXX (earlier series) and they are phenomenal at the very least. But I don’t have that kind of jack laying around to throw into my music system. They would totally blow away my Ascent i’s and I have no doubt that they would make people think twice about the summits. I have listened to the 802Ds as well. I see people saying that they are not impressed with them but here again, I disagree! They sounded wonderful. Do I like my Ascent i’s better? Yes I do but just because of that, I am not going to say they didn’t sound great. The simple fact is that they are fantastic speakers as well. I see so much talk about coupling the right amp and pre with speakers yet everyone is raving about ML’s newest offering that has a built in amp. So ML has been able to couple the “perfect” amp with their speakers? You don’t seriously believe that, do you? Think about what is happening here. Doesn’t that totally change everything that we have put together? Isn’t the purpose of our systems make-up to offer that dynamic sound we have all been searching for? This is not much different than putting a puzzle together where the pieces are all the same color and only when coupled do they show you the picture. (Different pieces together give you different pictures.) That last sentence should be read over a couple of times to get the jest of it, please. Also, don’t get me wrong, I think the Summits do sound great. Do I think they sound that much better than my current setup? Nope! Does that mean that if you take the ML amp out of the summit and add your own, better amp, you get even better sound? I am just being devil’s advocate here. I can’t help but think that a Summit without the internal amp could be the best of all worlds. Let my carefully chosen system drive my carefully chosen speakers. I know that this is going to generate a plethora of comments and some are going to look at me as if I am some kind of traitor to this club but that is not the case. I do love the sound I get from my Ascent i’s even though I believe that they are lacking in bass and plan a sub in the near future. Do I plan on buying Summits? Nope. I am pretty darned happy with what I have. Do I think that it was the lack of advertising that kept ML out? Not going to say that is not possible but I have seen MLs included in Stereophile’s lesser ratings before so I am not convinced that is the case. I don’t recall (am old and could have missed something) seeing Avantgarde doing a lot or any advertising but they were included.
Ok fellow members, fire away at me. Just remember, I respect each and everyone of you and your opinions. Even if they are wrong! Hey, that last sentence was just joke! I was just kidding (ducking)!
And if your going to take a shot at me, please be gentle...
