Switch to Spire from Revel Salon I?

[favrefan]

Martin Logan fans,

I would appreciate your help. I presently own Revel Salons, which I have enjoyed for nine years. My wife has grown tired of their imposing, radical appearance. I am itching for a speaker upgrade. In reviewing the present options, we have identified the Spire as a candidate that might meet my criteria for great sound quality and hers for acceptable appearance. I have listened to the Spire in a dealer showroom. They are the only local dealer with the Spire, and they do not allow in-home auditions. Based on what I heard, I was impressed. But, of course, nothing compares to listening to a speaker in your own room with your own associated equipment.

I have never owned anything but cone, dynamic speakers. I am curious to know whether any of you have switched to Martin Logans (in the Spire/Summit range of the ML line) from reference-grade dynamic speakers like the Revel Salon. If so, why did you make the switch? In what ways did you find the MLs to be more compelling? Is there anything about dynamic speakers that you miss? Obviously, I would love to hear from anyone with first-hand experience of both the Spire and the Salon I.

Any information or advice you can provide will be helpful and greatly appreciated.

In case it matters, my present system consists of a Meridian 800/861 front end, Clayton M-300 amplifiers, the Revel Salon/Voice/Embrace speakers, and a big REL subwoofer. I use the system for home theater as much as 2-channel stereo. My musical tastes primarily consist of classic rock, classical (primarily Mozart and Beethoven), movie scores, and jazz classics.

Best regards,

Jeff

 

[jtwrace]

Awesome amps! You will not have a problem driving ML's that's for sure..

I use them as well.

 

[grubbleDave]

I agree with jwtrace. I heard the Clayton S40s at my home a while back driving Merlin VSM-Ms when I owned those and it was one of the sweetest sounding solid state I have ever listened to (and I using Aranov tube push pull monoblocks back then). The M300s should be even more of that goodness and have the power to drive the Spires or any MLs.

 

[tonepub]

Nice system!

I think you will really enjoy the Spires with the big Clayton amps.
I ran the Spires here with the 100 watt monos and the S-40 with
excellent luck.

Personally, the Class A solid state thing is my favorite, about 95% of
the tube warmth with the slam and control of solid state!

Here's to a good experience!

 

[twich54]

Jeff, Welcome ! While I did not switch to my Spire's from dynamic cone speakers I like most on this forum have have done my fair share of comparrisons. IMO, and shared with quite a few others, it's an absolute winner. While not inexspensive, I've heard nothing to date that compares at it's price point. Simply put, you could sonically do less.....and spend alot more !

BTW, interesting to note a Farve fan from LA ?? i thought you guys in LA had no interest in pro ball.......afterall three teams have come and gone over the years !

 

[Gordon Gray]

Hi Jeff,

Can't comment on the switch from dynamic to planar. I've been listening to various ML's for over twenty years. However, my musical tastes are somewhat similar to yours so my sense is that you will not be disappointed at all.

I would like to comment about your ML dealer.

FIND ANOTHER ONE!

Any hi end dealer that won't let you take a set of speakers for a weekend spin should not be in the business. Period.

I would think, given your location, that there's got to be other choices without driving too bloody far.

Good luck.

GG

 

[favrefan]

Thanks to all for your responses. Look forward to more.

Gordon: There are several ML dealers in the LA area, but I could only find one with a Spire. The others have the Vantage, because they were waiting for the Summitx to come out. Now that it has, they are going to decide whether to have the Summit or the Spire as their top floor model.

twich54: Surely you must know that Favre fans (and Packers fans--of which I am one) are everywhere. I went to see Brett play in San Diego against the Chargers this past season, and it was estimated that somewhere between 15 to 20 percent of the fans in attendance were wearing either a Packers or Jets #4 jersey. Many of us here in LA (including myself) are transplants from other areas of the country and we have brought our various football allegiances with us.

 

[eknuds01]

Martin Logan fans,

I would appreciate your help. I presently own Revel Salons, which I have enjoyed for nine years. My wife has grown tired of their imposing, radical appearance. I am itching for a speaker upgrade. In reviewing the present options, we have identified the Spire as a candidate that might meet my criteria for great sound quality and hers for acceptable appearance. I have listened to the Spire in a dealer showroom. They are the only local dealer with the Spire, and they do not allow in-home auditions. Based on what I heard, I was impressed. But, of course, nothing compares to listening to a speaker in your own room with your own associated equipment.

I have never owned anything but cone, dynamic speakers. I am curious to know whether any of you have switched to Martin Logans (in the Spire/Summit range of the ML line) from reference-grade dynamic speakers like the Revel Salon. If so, why did you make the switch? In what ways did you find the MLs to be more compelling? Is there anything about dynamic speakers that you miss? Obviously, I would love to hear from anyone with first-hand experience of both the Spire and the Salon I.

Any information or advice you can provide will be helpful and greatly appreciated.

In case it matters, my present system consists of a Meridian 800/861 front end, Clayton M-300 amplifiers, the Revel Salon/Voice/Embrace speakers, and a big REL subwoofer. I use the system for home theater as much as 2-channel stereo. My musical tastes primarily consist of classic rock, classical (primarily Mozart and Beethoven), movie scores, and jazz classics.

Best regards,

Jeff

You'll love the Spire!!!! I don't think it'll be a step down from what you have.

 

[wrat]

I would like to comment about your ML dealer.

FIND ANOTHER ONE!

Any hi end dealer that won't let you take a set of speakers for a weekend spin should not be in the business. Period.

I would think, given your location, that there's got to be other choices without driving too bloody far.

Good luck.

GG

Agreed, This is a primary reason I don't have Magnepan 3.6's.
After an in-store audition I asked about bringing a pair home for a listen in my room with my gear and was told NO, I asked what if I don't like/cant make work I was told "Sorry", I said NO sale!

 

[twich54]

Agreed, This is a primary reason I don't have Magnepan 3.6's.
After an in-store audition I asked about bringing a pair home for a listen in my room with my gear and was told NO, I asked what if I don't like/cant make work I was told "Sorry", I said NO sale!

I would be willing to bet that the majority of Maggie dealers out there would not let a pair of 3.6's out the door for an in-home demo. Ancillary gear, electronics, etc much easier to "pack up" for a in-home demo I suspect.

FWIW, I bought my 3.6's years back based on an in-store demo only, never demo'ed any of my M/L's at home either. Common sense and working knowledge of ones demensions and acoustical treatment needs are enough, IMO.

 

[wrat]

I would be willing to bet that the majority of Maggie dealers out there would not let a pair of 3.6's out the door for an in-home demo. Ancillary gear, electronics, etc much easier to "pack up" for a in-home demo I suspect.

FWIW, I bought my 3.6's years back based on an in-store demo only, never demo'ed any of my M/L's at home either. Common sense and working knowledge of ones demensions and acoustical treatment needs are enough, IMO.

I disagree with my c.c on file IF I mess em up I bought em.
I bought my Apogees with an in home demo Same With my 'Logans

 

[David Matz]

Martin Logan fans,


I have never owned anything but cone, dynamic speakers. I am curious to know whether any of you have switched to Martin Logans (in the Spire/Summit range of the ML line) from reference-grade dynamic speakers like the Revel Salon. If so, why did you make the switch? In what ways did you find the MLs to be more compelling? Is there anything about dynamic speakers that you miss? Obviously, I would love to hear from anyone with first-hand experience of both the Spire and the Salon I.

Any information or advice you can provide will be helpful and greatly appreciated.


Best regards,

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

I have not owned very expensive box speakers as they all have sounded "fake" to me, but I have heard many of the expensive ones (Wilson, YG, B&W, Magico, etc.). To my ears, they can't start matching the Logans unless one spends $30 - $40K. With my biases stated upfront, here are some thoughts.

Historically, ML has had as good as you can get mids and highs (read the Stereophile SL3 review). Their problem has been integrating the bass - the bass just could not keep pace with the speed of the panel. The latest few generations have pretty much over come that.

The only other thing to keep in mind is room treatments. ML waves come out from the front and the back, so it's something you may have to deal with, depending on your setup and room size. Also, bass trapping is very important for all speakers, but especially with ML hybrids, for the reasons mentioned above. Check out some posts in the room treatments section.

Bottom line: If your room is good (or your wife will permit you to make it good) and you take the time to set them up, you will be in heaven.

If you get them, please post some observations. Good Luck!

 

[tsmooth]

The dealer I help out, Shawn with DaVinci Media (who contributes regularly), had a pair of the new Revel Salons in the same demo room with the Spire and various other ML speakers (CLX and now Summit X as well). From my limited time there, the soundstage accuracy really caught my eye with the ML speakers. I would send him a PM as he could probably give you a un-bias opinion of both speakers.

 

[Jeff Zaret]

Jeff,
Welcome
I had a pair of KEFs before I got my first pair of MLs. The difference for me was eye opening. As stated above the mids and high was just more present and more defined for me. Also, as stated above room treatments play an important role too and this is where you can get your significant other involved in the process. Do not let this scare you. This is a slow process and an enjoyable ride as most of audio.

I have not heard the Spires but I have heard everything around it in the product line and I do not think you will be disappointed. There is plenty of low end so you will not be giving up anything. Of course a sub is always a good thing.

I am in the L.A. area and if I can be of some help let me know.


Jeff

 

[houstonshark]

I would like to comment about your ML dealer.

FIND ANOTHER ONE!

Any hi end dealer that won't let you take a set of speakers for a weekend spin should not be in the business. Period.

I'm sorry Gordon but that's a pretty ridiculous statement. For someone to expect a dealer to loan a "high end speaker" to the average Joe off the street or they "should not be in the business. Period" is just ignorant.

No dealer is obligated to loan products. There is not a single manufacturer in this industry that requires dealers to do so. Not one!

I will admit though that I have several customers that I would loan product from the store to demo and most of them I would even loan my own personal product but that's because I know them and I know their buying habits and I trust them.

It's customers who expect such service that closed the HiFi shops down 20-25 years or so ago. These dealers are becoming fewer and fewer (not to say that they are not out there because I know they are).

The problem with today's customer who wants to do this is the internet. Customers who want to come in and spend hours listening to speakers, want us to move them and electronics around, etc typically are inflated with a wealth of 'internet knowledge' that often times is misleading, misinformed or just plain wrong. They do all this and then want to take the speakers or components home only to decide not to buy them. I think people sometimes do this as a way to make them feel better about their old equipment and to try and talk themselves into NOT upgrading because their stuff is still good.

Then there's the guy who does all this only to purchase the product they just demoed online because he can save a few dollars.

The bottom line is that no dealer is obligated to buy a product, invest in training his staff, marketing, back stock, etc and then just give this product to the average Joe walking in off the street to demo at home. If a dealer chooses to do this then fine but if not should they by no means "not be in the business". Your ideal of "the business" is rather behind the times.

Sorry for the rant...

 

[tonepub]

Jeff:

If you aren't in a hurry and can wait until the end of Feb, I'd be happy to let
you come up to portland for a day.

I still have the Spires here and you could hear them with and without Descent i....

I'm on deadline for the issue now, but happy to do it as soon as the issue is done. Flights to Portland from LA are about 200 bucks rt.

Just holler if I can help.

 

[favrefan]

All,

Here is an update. While the dealer still will not allow a prepurchase in-home audition, they have agreed to sell the speakers to me with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Based on the positive responses I received from all of you, I am going to go ahead with the purchase and run them head to head for the next few weeks against the Revels and some other speakers that are on my list (mainly, active speakers from the pro audio world) and see if a clear winner emerges.

Thank you all for your input.

Best regards,

Jeff

P.S.: How many hours will the Spires need to sound their best?

 

[houstonshark]

P.S.: How many hours will the Spires need to sound their best?

I think 40 hours is the real turning point but you will hear 150-250 hours from a lot of people. I think the improvements are far less noticeable after 40 or so hours.

Congratulations!

 

[twich54]

I think 40 hours is the real turning point but you will hear 150-250 hours from a lot of people. I think the improvements are far less noticeable after 40 or so hours.

Congratulations!

"Ditto" the magic is there between 40-100 hrs.........

caveat.......except for Bernard (500hrs min) ... sorry my friend I couldn't resist !! :devil:

 

[khenegar]

Revel's

The Revel's are a hell of a speaker and they will be hard to beat if you are used to dynamic speakers this is going to be a tough one the spire will not even compete with revel's in the bottom end. the Spire's i feel have a better midrange which is a very important part of music, you will have to use a sub with the Spires to even compete with the Solan's in the bottom end of the music.