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Anybody heard Martin Logan Summits?

My system consists of Quad 988's, Thor Audio(tubed) TPA-150's, Thor Line Stage, Thor Phono Stage, Thor Dac, with Cary 306/200 as a transport, Audio Physics Minos Subwoofer,
with a VPI Scoutmaster turntable and a Clear Audio Discovery cartridge. My room is 20X 20 with 12 foot ceilings and my room has been heavily treated by Echo Busters. The probelm lies within my Quad 988's. They have
some wonderful qualities, but have limited dynamics and poor bass response. Without the sub, the sound is poor. I am seeking a true full range speaker that is detailed, moves a lot of air and will make me feel that I don't want to look anymore. My budget per pair maxes out at $15,000.00. I would prefer to spend less. I recently heard some speakers at the show and was not impressed. I am in the New York area and in fact today I am going to hear the Reimer Grand Tetons in Patchogue, New York. I will advise arfter I listen. They sell for about $6000.00 per pair. This has been a difficult journey as I realize that all speakers are a compromise. I also feel that I want an efficient speaker. This leaves out, Sound Lab, Avalon Eidelon.(used comes in at my max)I have spent so much on electronics and feel that the Thor tubed gear is so good that I won't consider changing amps to a 300 per channel solid state variety. Any thoughts would be helpful.
kjl
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
I heard the Summits at CES. They're amazing, and if I could afford a pair (they said $10k) I'd probably give up my CLSIIz/Depth combo (which is also amazing) because the Summits are smaller and would definitely NOT require a subwoofer! I think they do everything a Soundlab does (meaning full range) in a much smaller package, and the bass may be even better.

I'm sure your Thor amps would drive them (the woofer sections have their own built-in amps) as long as they can handle the low impedance at the highest frequencies. But if they're (the Thors) are doing OK with your Quads, they should be fine.

You can read all about them at:

http://www.martinlogan.com/summit_speaker.html

.
kw6
691 posts
 
What about the Quad 989. Or is that still not dynamic enough.

Try to listen to the Living Voice Avatar OBX-R2 ($8000). Great with tubes.

Good Luck!
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
What about VMPS hybrids...best of both worlds, great look and BASS! I am working on a pair currently...have a look the are pretty stunning!
magnequest
9 posts
 
Good luck, you are on the quest we all have.

I've got a pair of VMPS RM40's, a pair of Martin Logan Quests, and a Magnepan MMG/NHT1259 combo that continues to knock my socks off. Well, at least some of the time when I'm not bitching about the Magnepan sibilance, anyway. But I'm an audiophile, and I'm happy about bitching, especially when the system performs as well as the Magnepan/NHT one does.

The RM40's are new, and are very placement critical. I'm giving them some time. My wife and I have decided that if tney still suck in five years, I'll get rid of them. But they have some amazing abilities--it is rather odd that they don't just sound great when you plunk them down in place. For that, you may also consider the Legacy Focus. Slightly more expensive, has higher resale. I just don't make enough money or will live long enough to tell you which speaker is best, especially when the room gets involved.

Haven't heard the Summits, I love the way they look. The Martin Logan Quests have some faults--but they are still around (almost 15 years old!!) because they look great and often sound great. Looks matter in my living room. However, the "too big" NHT 1259's in their gigantic (6 cubic feet, 200 pound each) enclosures may have to go. They are just too fucking big. Damn laws of physics!
Enjoy finding your favorite speakers!
Paul
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