New year and new speakers, well new to me.

[Ratamahatta 437]

  I have been busy and have been doing some trading with other people I know that are into this. 1st trade was for some Snell C7 speakers, These are big and heavy but they do sound really good still evaluating but so far seem to blend with my system more than the Quad Z-4's. They have two 4 1/2" and a 1" silk dome tweeter in a "D Appolito" array actually designed by Joseph D Appolito.  Two 8" opposed side firing woofers and another 1" rear firing silk dome tweeter.  All drivers are from Seas and they have anodized aluminum tops and highlights.  Bass extends down into the low 30's and they almost do not need a sub.  These were a little tricky for setup but managed to find their sweet spot.  I am really impressed with these so far though. 

  So in the mists of all of that I had a chance to get some Martin Logan Theos. Martin Logan has always been on my list but has always alluded to me.  So far I am utterly impressed with them, makes me wish that I would have tried them out earlier.  I am hearing new stuff in music that I have listened to hundreds of times. The sweet spot seems to be narrower though.  Still trying to take it all in and will do some more evaluating this weekend. 

  I also picked up a Paradigm Reference sub 12, not sure where it's going to fit into the grand scheme of things but too good of a deal to pass up. It's been serviced and the caps replaced, it's an 88 lb  absolute best of a sub.  The SVS SB 3000's have broken in nicely and sound excellent, I would highly recommend them. 

  So I will be busy for a while evaluating and doing some listening, I have also got a bunch of new to me Cd's as well, yes I still do Cd's, lol. 

[Sk1Bum 11,578]

If you haven't already, you can download the manual for the Theos at the Martin Logan  website. The manual for my ESLs gave spot on instructions for placement.  

 

Both sets of speakers are excellent choices! Kudos!

[Ar9Jim 6,514]

Very nice finds. Great way to start the new year. Thank you for sharing.

[Ratamahatta 437]

6 hours ago, Sk1Bum said:

If you haven't already, you can download the manual for the Theos at the Martin Logan  website. The manual for my ESLs gave spot on instructions for placement.  

 

Both sets of speakers are excellent choices! Kudos!

Thanks for the replies. Yeah I downloaded the manual and watched the video before I even got them to know if they would work in my area. Already having Carver ALS Plus have some idea of how to set them up. Pretty sure they're set up fine everything sounds pretty natural but just ultra detailed.  I have listened to Riders of the storm countless times and never knew he was whispering the lyrics as he was singing them until these.

[4krow 6,640]

 My friend got some ML CLS panels recently. Way out of his comfort zone since he has been listening to a set of JBL 4343 speakers that I sold to him 20 years ago! Have no idea what his present listening environment is.

Edited January 5, 2023 by 4krow
typoo

[Ratamahatta 437]

They take some getting used to that's for sure. I think they are extremely accurate because there is no Mass to them. I don't know if they're exaggerating sometimes or this is the way it's supposed to sound and I've just never heard it.  My wife likes the Snells better just because I think she is used to box speakers. I am still undecided, going to be hard to pick a favorite out of those two.

Edited January 5, 2023 by Ratamahatta

[4krow 6,640]

Really? Don't the coolest ones just win the title? When someone comes over an sees another box, that's on you. When they see something with a curve and see through too, well they probably don't care either way, but I still want a set of ML.

[Ratamahatta 437]

Ones like these were the coolest speakers I have ever had but unfortunately got rid of them a long time ago.  I never had the space or equipment to run them properly at the time though. 

 

Edited January 7, 2023 by Ratamahatta

[4krow 6,640]

I am not worthy I am not worthy.                   Two men and a dolly for each cabinet I bet.   just so a mere mortal can know, how did they sound? And what equipment worked best with them that you owned?

[Ratamahatta 437]

All I had at the time was a Realistic receiver to run them in a maybe 14 x 20 room.  I was young and at the age where you do stupid things without thinking it through.  Despite all that they still sounded fantastic. I did get a Carver pre and one of those M-400 cube amps and they did sound better but never to their full potential. I only owned them for a short time and sold them. The buyer had all McIntosh gear running them and plenty of room for them to breathe,  they sounded absolutely stunning at his house.  I paid off the credit card I charged them to and didn't look back, especially with all the moving around I have done. And yes they were heavy, I had to rent a u-haul and enlist friends just to get them home.  I have never found a set since and even if I did I would probably pass because of the weight and PITA moving factor.