Martin Logan Montis and D400

[amabrok]

Hi all

I suspect this may have been raised elsewhere, but I'm considering the Montis for my D400.

I'm aware that it is not yet SAMified though it has high number of votes (it is not even SAM soon) and that makes me wonder could it be because it has a powered woofer? Which may not play nicely with Devialet ADH? Any thoughts?

Also, technically I'm puzzled, and I stand to be corrected, but on the Montis there is no separate line in for the subs which means they will get the amplified signal from the Devialet via the speaker cable. Then how come the built in amp work on an already amplified signal?

Finally if any of you guys have Montis on Devialet would be very willing to hear your opinion on the SQ.

Thanks a million

[Vivialet]

the Montis and all other partially active speakers will not be SAMed, this is an official statement from Devialet. Which makes sense of course.

[Jwg1749]

Yes, this is my understanding too.

As for the SQ of the 400-Montis combo, I can only assume it'd be better than my 200-Montis system, which I think is outstanding. Care does need to be taken with the set-up of the Montis, as with any ESL speaker, and room acoustics are important. I prefer a slightly dull sounding room.

Some people say MLs are less good for rock/pop: I haven't experienced this, though it's certainly true that they are merciless in exposing poor recordings.

[amabrok]

Yes, this is my understanding too.

As for the SQ of the 400-Montis combo, I can only assume it'd be better than my 200-Montis system, which I think is outstanding. Care does need to be taken with the set-up of the Montis, as with any ESL speaker, and room acoustics are important. I prefer a slightly dull sounding room.

Some people say MLs are less good for rock/pop: I haven't experienced this, though it's certainly true that they are merciless in exposing poor recordings.

Exactly! My biggest challenge is to find excellent recordings as they are so exposing that it really hurts if I play low quality or even average quality recordings.

But I also noticed that they are harsh with rock / hard rock. But with jazz, county, blues, etc they are just breathtaking.

This predicament forces me into discovering new artists /genre outside of my core scope and preference and I guess I like the surprises of the my new discoveries

Based on your experience I hope the Montis will help with my rock catalogue!

---

Yes, this is my understanding too.

As for the SQ of the 400-Montis combo, I can only assume it'd be better than my 200-Montis system, which I think is outstanding. Care does need to be taken with the set-up of the Montis, as with any ESL speaker, and room acoustics are important. I prefer a slightly dull sounding room.

Some people say MLs are less good for rock/pop: I haven't experienced this, though it's certainly true that they are merciless in exposing poor recordings.

Jwg1749

Circling back to my other question, how do you connect the Montis to Devialet? I mean my understanding is that there is no line in for the powered subs, so is it simply the speakers cable and that's it?!

And if that is the case then how do the built in subs amps in the Montis manage what is an already amplified signal?

[Nemal1]

I have the same system (400 powering Montis) driven by a Esoteric K-01x (which I only received 2 weeks ago). The subs are powered by the built-in amps in the montis, so in effect you are powering the panels only. The crossover to the base amps and panels splits the signal.

Connection wise, just take the output from the 400's to the speaker terminals and let the crossover do the rest

[amabrok]

I have the same system (400 powering Montis) driven by a Esoteric K-01x (which I only received 2 weeks ago). The subs are powered by the built-in amps in the montis, so in effect you are powering the panels only. The crossover to the base amps and panels splits the signal.

Connection wise, just take the output from the 400's to the speaker terminals and let the crossover do the rest

Thanks Nemal!

How do you find the SQ of the combo ? And what music genre do you mostly listen to?

[Nemal1]

Hi Amabrok, I listen almost exclusively to electronic synthesizer music, with some classical, rock, jazz etc when I fancy a change.

If I'm perfectly honest, this is a bit of a comedown from my previous system (Audio Research Reference amps, Accuphase 800/801 CD player, Avid Acutus reference/Triplanar VII/Koetsu Blue Lace and Wilson Sasha) but only just purchased my new system over the last year since moving to Qatar in 2010 from UK.

I'm learning to enjoy it, and using the CD player rather than macbook air has certainly brought a vast improvement, coupled with running in of the new components. I may look to buy a turntable early next year when I have my CD's and LP's sent over here, and have yet to hear the phono stage of the devialet)

I'm just waiting for a custom artisan silver master/companion lead and silver usb cable. I have the option to compare the Esoteric and Devialet dacs as the K-01x accepts a USB input.

I also find a bit more volume is required to obtain the quality and dynamics I used to enjoy, "demanding" I listen to the music rather than enjoying my book at the same time haha!

I'll post pictures of the system soon.

[amabrok]

Hi Amabrok, I listen almost exclusively to electronic synthesizer music, with some classical, rock, jazz etc when I fancy a change.

If I'm perfectly honest, this is a bit of a comedown from my previous system (Audio Research Reference amps, Accuphase 800/801 CD player, Avid Acutus reference/Triplanar VII/Koetsu Blue Lace and Wilson Sasha) but only just purchased my new system over the last year since moving to Qatar in 2010 from UK.

I'm learning to enjoy it, and using the CD player rather than macbook air has certainly brought a vast improvement, coupled with running in of the new components. I may look to buy a turntable early next year when I have my CD's and LP's sent over here, and have yet to hear the phono stage of the devialet)

I'm just waiting for a custom artisan silver master/companion lead and silver usb cable. I have the option to compare the Esoteric and Devialet dacs as the K-01x accepts a USB input.

I also find a bit more volume is required to obtain the quality and dynamics I used to enjoy, "demanding" I listen to the music rather than enjoying my book at the same time haha!

I'll post pictures of the system soon.

Thanks! And looking forward to the pictures.

Your views make me wonder if it would be better to divert my upgrade from the ML Electromotion ESL towards A Wilson Audio Sophia 3 instead of the ML Montis? Since theoretically the Sophia should be more versatile and capable of playing a wider range of music genres compared to a hybrid electrostatic speaker.

In this regard I also went today to audition the B&W 802 but I was highly disappointed!! I can almost swear that there was something wrong as the sound was so bright and felt as if being played back through a very rough and cold filter!!

I'm also thinking Dynaudio. Any thoughts about that?

[Vivialet]

in this price range I would consider a Vivid Audio G3 or G4...

[amabrok]

in this price range I would consider a Vivid Audio G3 or G4...

i think the G3 is above this price range. maybe G4 is within.

I believe the G3 is awesome. the first time i got introduced to Devialet was on a D250 and a Vivid G3 and this how i got hooked