Anyone: Wilson X1Grand Slamm/ Lamm ML2's


Anyone heard these 2 together? I've seconhand knowledge that it's quite a match but I'd appreciate knowing some details, e.g. if it can play macrodynamics,be delicate and yet still play loud without the amp pooping out.
audiogoon

Showing 3 responses by mikelavigne

i would think that a blanket statement here would be a mistake. on this combination, room size and listening tastes would be big varibles in apparent performance.

in a small room with an emphasis on intimate accoustical type music i would think that this combo could be 'incredible'.....as David writes.

in a big space, on 'big music', this combo would be exposed as dynamically limited and lacking the ability to 'energise' the room.

typically X-1's are in fairly large rooms. and in my experience X-1's will improve as they are fed more and more current. so while the 2 pairs of ML2's would be engaging.....the X-1's would be restricted in their ultimate abilities. if a person can financially consider 2 pairs of ML2's, there are other speaker or amp combos that might work better than this particular one for large spaces.
David, i have nothing but a great respect for your opinions.
but we might disagree on what is acceptable in terms of having the dynamics to energise a room. as i said, even in a large room this combo would be engaging.....but would also sound somewhat 'lost'. this is just my opinion on how i like a system to sound.

i want more dynamic 'grip' than 18 + 18 watts can potentially achieve in a large space on X-1's. i have heard the ML2's on Kharmas in fairly large spaces.....where you might have felt they had plenty of dynamics i thought they were underpowered.

when low power is used in big spaces (unless some sort of +100db efficient horn system is used) it just doesn't do it for me.

while i agree that the ML2's are great amps......there are others i like at that same level with more dynamic potential for larger spaces.

i would not argue at all that the strengths of the ML2 are considerable even in a large room.....but it's drawbacks would be unacceptable to ME considering the investment alternatives.
David,

30' x 60'x 13' is extremely large.

i have a friend with a 40' x 28' x 14' foot room (that i consider large) that had X-1's for 6 years until he recently got the JM Labs Grand Utopia Be's. i listened to many amps (of many different configurations and power levels) in that room with him. the X-1's always took advantage of additional power reserves. the lower powered amps did many great things but would have clear limitations.

specifically i did not hear a pair of ML2's in that room on the X-2's.....so i will defer to your personal experience. but my guess is that in a large room like my friend's it would not be what 'I' would choose.