Martin Logan Logos vs Theatre vs Cinema


We are putting together a planar speaker home theatre system. Martin Logan electrostats will probably wind up for the front/surrounds (CLS, Aerius) or Magnepans. The Martin Logans are more likely as the CLS is might attractive as a full range electrostat.

In any event the center channel speaker is an issue. We lean to the Logos as it is a true electrostat and not a hybrid (ie, no woofers..correct me if mistaken) and the Theatre and Cinema are both hybrids (as is the Soundlab center channel).

Is there a reason Martin Logan discontinued the all electrostatic center channel in favour of hybrid design? Is there simply not enough panel area to generate decent SPL and freq range?

Amplification requirements are understood for all of these speakers. Such amps as a Bryston 7b monoblock are being considered or older Threshold S/500 type things.
c123666
I personally have tried two of the Martin Logan Center Speakers.

I started with the Cinema and really like the sound but the soundstage was no comparsion to the Logo which I later upgrade to.

I want to make a note here Logos does have a tweeter and woofer driver. The woofer is enclosed in the back cabinet. So it would be consider as a hybrid

Someday in the future I would like to try the Theater i to see if it would be better than the Logos.

Please check out this link for Logos manual:
http://www.martinlogan.com/mediaresources/OnlineDocumentation/Manual_Logos.pdf

If anyone could put some input in from Logos to the new Theater I would be interested to hear some feedback.
Thanks.

Bill
I went from a brand new late model Logos to a new late model Theater, (not Theatre i). The difference in dynamics and output was a surprise to me. I kept the Theater and sold the Logos.

I never did upgrade to the Theater i because of the dongle. The convenience of not needing a traditional IEC power cord did not appeal to me. I prefer the option to use a power cord of my choice. I never purchased the new Generation 2 stat panel because of the power cord. No one had one locally for me to demo. I might have been moved to purchase the newest Theater i.

Has anyone ever owned both the Theater and Theater i? Any major upgrade there?

I wonder what the new high end Martin Logan product will be like in 2005.

http://www.martinloganowners.com/forum/messages/8285.html
Hi:

I have an all Martin Logan theater with CLS IIz's up front, scripts in the rear, and a Theater as center. I've listened extensively to the Logos and the Theater.....and prefer the Theater. Having said that, when noone is off axis, I prefer to use phantom center mode and let the CLS IIz's handle the front!!! I've done extensive a-b comparisons with the center in and center out. The soundstage is wider and deeper in phantom center mode.

harry