Martin Logan Ascent i Opinions?

[wrf 4,937]

Lately my interests have shifted somewhat to speakers.  I've been using the local Craigslist to hunt down, capture and later set free interesting speakers.  I usually break even, sometimes make a few bucks and sometimes lose a few.  Polk SDA's, Carver AL III's and most recently some Dahlquist DQ-10's.  I finally found a new home for the DQ-10's and have been on the hunt for some electrostatics.  I found a pair of Martin Logan Ascent i speakers for a reasonable price.  They have the curved electrostatic panels and a 10 inch aluminum woofer.  Any opinions here on what they sound like.  They are a bit more expensive that my usual prey so I'm being more careful that usual.

 

Any opinions would be appreciated.  Thanks.

[TNRabbit 371]

I don't think they are much, if any, better than AL-IIIs. Especially considering their price. M/L speakers have a very open, airy, sound, but they are weak in "impact" IMO.

 

My $.02.

[SteveFord 1,122]

I haven't heard them but if I were to make the jump from Magnepan it would probably be to Martin Logan.

Can you get you resell them without losing your shirt if they're not your cup of tea?

[slbenz 110]

 

 

I haven't heard them but if I were to make the jump from Magnepan it would probably be to Martin Logan.

Can you get you resell them without losing your shirt if they're not your cup of tea?

I went from Martin Logans to Magnepans.  The Martin Logans have the air and depth of the Magnepans but have a very narrow sweet spot.  Much more so that the Magnepans IMHO.  I remember the sweet spot was so narrow that from going to the sitting to standing position, you will hear a major change in the sound quality with the Martin Logans.   

[wrf 4,937]

Thanks for the advise. I sent the DQ-10s off to a new home primarily because of limited "sweet spot". Good sound, but don't move your head even a little. Now I'm looking at used Magnepan's. Wow. Old ones are cheap, but apparently prone to problems. Further, even if you find a pair that don't rattle, it's likely just a matter of time (or enthusiastic volume) until the glue comes loose.

 

Maybe I'll go back to hunting Carver gear.

[slbenz 110]

Thanks for the advise. I sent the DQ-10s off to a new home primarily because of limited "sweet spot". Good sound, but don't move your head even a little. Now I'm looking at used Magnepan's. Wow. Old ones are cheap, but apparently prone to problems. Further, even if you find a pair that don't rattle, it's likely just a matter of time (or enthusiastic volume) until the glue comes loose.

 

Maybe I'll go back to hunting Carver gear.

 

That's true of the older Magnepans.  I rebuilt myself my Magnepan IIIas (circa 1986) using the midrange rebuild kit from Magnepan.  A few years ago it cost me $50 and a few hours worth of my time.  But it was worth it.  According to Magnepan, the newer glue they use is supposed to last much longer than the original glue.  Those rebuilt speakers I did are singing really well today.     

[SteveFord 1,122]

They solved the delamination problems quite some time ago.

First it was sunlight, then it was humidity causing the problems.

 

They're doing a 30 day trial for the 1.7s and those are very good speakers.

I don't think too many will go back to the factory.

[wrf 4,937]

OK. I've got the bug for some Magnepan's. On the hunt right now. Any suggestions on which model might be good target? The 1.7's seem pricy for my experiment. There's a pair of MMG's not far away with a rattle for $100. There also seem to be a lot of MG-I and MG-2's around for real cheap.

[slbenz 110]

You can always try the 60-day trial with a new pair of MMGs from Magnepan.  If you don't like them, you can return them.  Or if you can find a decent pair of 1.6s in your area, I would start there as well.  

[wrf 4,937]

Yup. But I'm only looking for a temporary hookup. Sample, enjoy and then move it on. You're local (to me anyway). The MMG's are in Carmel. $100 for the pair, but they rattle. In addition, there are a pair of MG-1 and MG-2a in down town SF for $200. Owner claims the MG-1's are good, the MG-2a's are rough.

 

What do you think?

[SteveFord 1,122]

MMGs are better than the ancient MG1s and 2s and you can't get the old ones repaired.

1.6s are very nice but some of them will have the older adhesive just so you know.  I never had any problems with mine when I had them.

You will need a sub with them.

Who knows, you might just end up chucking the Theils and buying some 20.7s if you catch the bug...

[slbenz 110]

Wrf,

 

Where are you located in the SF Bay Area?  I am in Fremont.  I have an extra set of MMGWs you could try.  Won't sound as good as a set of MMGs and they too have the same issues with a narrow sweet spot. But they will give you a real good taste of the midrange of bigger Magnepans.  I see the ads on Craigslist you are looking at.  If you are set at purchasing Magnepans, there probably will be a set of MMGs locally that will pop up in good condition.  Just have to be patient. 

[wrf 4,937]

slbenz - Thanks for the very generous offer -- I'm going to continue my hunt for a set I can purchase. Hopefully something reasonable pops up soon.

 

Thanks again.

[slbenz 110]

slbenz - Thanks for the very generous offer -- I'm going to continue my hunt for a set I can purchase. Hopefully something reasonable pops up soon.

 

Thanks again.

If you change your mind, just let me know.  Also, you may want to look for a MG12.  That is the speaker which is in between the MMG and 1.6 in size.  

[SteveFord 1,122]

That's their forgotten model.

It sells in Europe but not here so they've upgraded every other model but not the 12.

One of these days I expect them to discontinue it.

Kind of off topic, but I asked if they could make a smaller 20.7 (sized in between the 3.7 and 20.7) incorporating the push-pull technology that the 20s have so you can get "that sound" in a smaller package but that suggestion wasn't exactly met with much enthusiasm.