gofar99 Messages: 1969 Registered: May 2010 Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Hi, Yes the Martin Logans are electrostatics and they do exceptionally well with tube amps. If you can (1) afford the costs (2) have a room large enough ( not less than 10 feet wide, 8 tall and say 12-15 deep with about 20wide, 10 tall and 25-30 deep being much better) and (3) are willing to spend a good deal of time finding the perfect locations for them (not easy in many cases) you will be rewarded with a stunning sonic experience. I have been ruined for life by them. The general effects can be reproduced with high quality open back systems, but then you are still faced with at least two of the same problems (room size and finding the correct locations). An unfortunate consequence of the correct locations for the panels is that it can conflict with the best place for bass response. This is indeed the case in my listening room. Room treatments did not resolve the problem. I had a significant drop in response at the listening area from about 65HZ and down. Right now a pair of Martin Logan powered subs sit right next to my chair. They are set for 40HZ crossover and the 12 db/ octave slope is just about right to fill in the bottom end. It is also true if you wander around the room there are a few locations (not good listening ones fortunately) that now have bass bumps because of the subs. I figure that since I don't listen there it is of little consequence. My preferred subs (temporarily in storage are 7.5 cubic foot vented ones with highly sensitive 15 inch drivers. They easily reach to 22HZ. I power them with 25 watt tube amps via a 24 db/octave electronic crossover set for 50 HZ(see everyone I actually admit to having some SS gear available). BTW back to the main topic.... Martin Logan recommends no less than 100 watts RMS for the electrostatics. With only 25 it gets uncomfortably loud before I can cause the amps to audibly distort. So much for ratings. The big subs are rated for up to 300 watts rms...they would be a lot like earth movers at that level.
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