System Recommendation For Newbie

[developer]

Fantastic site! Thanks for all of the information.

I am a new member and a not-yet ML owner, but I have been a long -time ML admirer.

I am building a dedicated listening and HT room in my home, and I am intending to feature MLs throughout. The room will be 14.5 x 21 with sound panels on walls and ceilings as appropriate. Music and HT are equally important, but I will be starting with existing pre/pro and amps (All adcom - 870HD, 3-565 monoblocks (front & center) and 2-555 rear), all of which I will upgrade in time.

I do not compromise with speakers, being of the mind that I will upgrade around the speakers. I would be very appreciative of recommendations for the best MLs to fit this (7.1) application.

Thanks much, and thanks for reading.

 

[Pcar928fan]

You say you want to listen to music too and that is equally important, so I think Summit are a no brainer. Pick and choose the rest as you wish, but I think you should really put Summit and Stage up front! I would look towards 4 Script as your surround gear and of course a Descent i to hold down the bottom end. That set up won't be cheap, but it also would be hard to beat no matter how much money you might want to spend! It would be amazing!

 

[FatJ]

You say you want to listen to music too and that is equally important, so I think Summit are a no brainer. Pick and choose the rest as you wish, but I think you should really put Summit and Stage up front! I would look towards 4 Script as your surround gear and of course a Descent i to hold down the bottom end. That set up won't be cheap, but it also would be hard to beat no matter how much money you might want to spend! It would be amazing!

Heck yes! If the budget will allow that would rock!!! :rocker:

The Summit/Stage/Descenti set up is for sure the way to go for someone who 'does not want to compromise.' The rear speakers can vary depending on how you lay out the room. The script is an excellent choice. You may want to consider the better flush mounts back there like the passage or even the voyage. You may also be able to pull off a smaller tower back there like the new purity or vista or even vantage!!! A properly set up 5.1 system with a near full range speaker in the back can blow the doors off most 7 channel systems. For some, a second subwoofer is also a nice addition. So many decisions!!! The good thing for you is that no matter what you buy... YOU WIN!

 

[developer]

Thanks for the feedback. It was along the lines of what I was thinking, but I was uncertain whether the Summits would be too much for the room size and whether my monoblocks would do them justice - if only for the time being. Thoughts?

 

[tonyc]

Oh, the Adcoms will drive them all right! My son in law still has my GFA555 from the mid 80's. It is still going strong and I used it to drive pairs of Acoustat 2's, Acoustat 3's, and Apogee Divas, all of which are harder to drive than Summits.

 

[FatJ]

I certainly agree! Keep in mind that the newer ML's are more efficient and that you are only powering the panel

You are going to be SOOO pleased with your new set up. Enjoy and keep us posted!

 

[kcl]

From what you've described as your 'wants', I agree that Summits would best fit you. I upgraded from Ascents to Summits for almost exactly the same kind of reason (looking for best 2-channel music in a system that has to be an excellent HT, too), and I'm very happy with the results. I also think that your Adcoms will do a very good job for you.

If the Summits are out of your range, I would suggest the Vantages. I'm told you get 90% of a Summit's capabilities for about one quarter the cost.

 

[eknuds01]

If summits are too expensive, give the Vantages a try. You won't be disappointed.

 

[developer]

Thanks for the recommendations - I hope to be assembling as follows:

fronts - summits or vantages

sub - descent or descenti (what are the differences)

surrounds (4) - voyages

Any suggested tweaks? I will report back when I am "bought up"

 

[kcl]

Thanks for the recommendations - I hope to be assembling as follows:

fronts - summits or vantages

sub - descent or descenti (what are the differences)

surrounds (4) - voyages

Any suggested tweaks? I will report back when I am "bought up"

What do you plan on using for the center channel? Next to the mains, that's the most important speaker in a HT setup. If you go with an ML solution you have the Cinema and the Stage (which replaced the Theater). Personally, I'd highly recommend the Stage over the Cinema, as I believe its well worth the price difference.

 

[twich54]

Actually HALF the cost. If your budget is endless then buy all means go for the Summitts, but given the fact that are rooms are almost identical in size (mine's 2 ft longer), then the Vntage's paired with the Descent i or another good servo based sub will sound superb and will free up extra $$$ for upstream componts , etc.

 

[edwinr]

Having spent much time in my home with both the Vantage and the Summit, the surprising thing is how similar they sound. In smaller rooms or maybe high quality HT applications where the plan is to introduce a sub and other speakers for 5.1, Vantages are certainly an excellent choice.

Overall the Summits really do have a bigger sound and more extended bass. But you would expect that with a larger panel and 2 x 200 watt amps driving twin 10 inch sub woofer speakers. Those with Vantages shouldn't feel left out though - they sound nearly as good in smaller rooms or at lower spls. For dedicated 2 channel listening with some HT use, my choice was the Summits. I haven't felt the need for a subwoofer and the big Summits compensate for the smaller rear surrounds I currently use. I use no center channel as I listen right on axis.

 

[FatJ]

Thanks for the recommendations - I hope to be assembling as follows:

fronts - summits or vantages

sub - descent or descenti (what are the differences)

surrounds (4) - voyages

Any suggested tweaks? I will report back when I am "bought up"

Wicked awesome start my friend. Somebody mentioned above regarding the center and they were right on the money... the stage is certainly the way to go.

Here's the scoop on the subs. They each have three tens however they did update the woofers on the new model. They not only updated the amplifiers but they also tripled them! The i version sports 3 amps... one for each woofer!!! They doubled up on the power supply so now there are two. It cranks :rocker: Not to mention that it looks much cooler and has easy access top mounted controls! But wait there's more... the entire top pops off so that you can easily change/upgrade your finish if you like and they also redesigned the grills which were notorious for cracking on the original model. I'm not 100% sure but I also think that the original lacks the XLR input that the new i features. Very important IMO.

I noticed that you were considering the vantages. I must say that I like the vantages A LOT but if you were wanting to save some $$$ I think you would be better off with summit/stage/passage/descenti than you would be with vantage/stage/voyage/descenti. The difference in your 7 channel confinguration is only 1,000. Something to chew on.

 

[Pcar928fan]

Tfronts - summits or vantages

sub - descent or descenti (what are the differences)

surrounds (4) - voyages

What are Voyage? Are they a newer ESL speaker?

I think it would be a mistake to use 4 NON-ESL speakers w/ a Summit-Stage front end... Just my opinion. If you are already spending some bucks on Summit then suck it up and get some really good surrounds. If these are ESL's then go with them... Also you did not mention a center channel. If you are looking at a fair bit of HT then you NEED a center channel. Apologies to those who think differently, but I just don't see a phantom center channel being anywhere close to as good as a decent center channel. Just not gonna happen.

 

[FatJ]

Voyage

These are by far the best flush mount speakers that I have ever heard! Check them out:

http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/voyage.html

They boast a pair of mid range ATF in addition to the HF ATF and they have two 8" woofers in each one :rocker:

I recently set up a system using three of these in the front with two passages in the rear off of a denon 4806 and I was blown away.

 

[developer]

Whoa - great input from all!!

Yes - in my zeal, I did forget the center, which will be the Theater. Given the above comments and my listening to date, here is where I am:

Fronts - summit or vantage

Center - theater

Sub - descenti

Surround - voyage or passage

Thanks for the continuing interest/tips - the feedback has me more revved up to get out of the box(es)