Looks Like I'll be mixing Martin Logans with my Snells

**Harpozep** · 07-07-2011, 04:25 PM

The Martin Logans hould be an improvement over my current surrounds, some old Phase Tech Boxes that sound OK. The Martin Logans are Frescos, electrostatics. Most electrostatics I've heard are far more directional than these, they will be wall mounted with the special hinged brackets they come with for further versatility.
They were superseded by the Fresco i which by the accounts I've read are the same except the "upgrades" are no longer magnetically shielded since CRTs are a thing of the past. Makes sense since the newer models weigh almost three pounds less than the older ones I'm getting.

We just put a Signature Series Paradigm sound system in a clients home, so he no longer needed the Martins or his Rell subs. . I'd jump on the subs too but my Snell XA-90s have four 10" subs and my B&W ASW855C 15 incher tackles any leftover low fequencies.

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**CALIBER** · 07-07-2011, 08:12 PM

Man tough to pass on rel's if they are a good deal, congrats on the new speakers martin logan builds fine speakers indeed. I bet the customer is loving the new paradigms, right about now.

**Harpozep** · 07-07-2011, 10:33 PM

Thanks. Yeah, the Paradigm sigs give my Snells a run for the Money. They are both ostentatious. The Sigs and the Snells both command any room they are in, though the Sig Paradigms are way prettier and fit more with modern decor. My snells are so last century

, but I was able to pick them AND the B&W sub up for $3,500 combined, so out went the old B&W mains (CDM 7NTs), and in with the Snells.

These days I'm more into in-your-face speakers that allow me some thing to play with like the active EQ and subs on the Snells. The B&Ws and their ideal of no-colouration/flat eventually left me wanting.

We just started carrying the Paradigms at the shop and I'm impressed with the entire line. I REALLY love the Mini-Monitors and bookshelfs were never on my radar.
The Customer who bought the top Paradigms also bought the second to the top sub. The next step up in subs asks the owner to wire for 220 to get the full yeild! SO he went for the "lesser" model!

I'm reversing the hinges tonight on the Martin Logans so they can turn safely and not fall on the family!

Here's a pic of the Snells.The two tens in the bottom of each are powered by a 300 watt amp and have a parametric EQ with a Q control for precision tweaking. Also they have a remote. Real contenders in 1999.

**nobsplease** · 07-12-2011, 10:02 PM

Nice stuff Harpozep!! Kevin Voecks (veeks), a real genius, was Snell's chief designer for many years and made them a truly high-end company. He's been with Revel since they started out and the line sounds wonderful.

**Harpozep** · 07-20-2011, 12:09 PM

So the Martins are up behind us now in the listening arena and they really add a lot more than did the Phase Techs at the lower level. I've still yet to ARC the Anthem MRX 700 since I decided to get two more Martin Logan Frescos to finish the system into a 7.1. THe current surrounds will soon be designated as "backs" and the next two Frescos will be aimed down at 30 degrees from the 7.5' ceiling to the right and left of the main listening section ( my Chair ). THis should make for some interesting listening.

I've got to create some custom wooden mounting blocks to achieve the 30 degree angle, otherwise the Martins will just be aimed straight at each other at ceiling level.