Summary: The best speakers I have had the pleasure to own, and one of, if not the best, speakers I have heard, period. Open and airy, "box" speakers cannot approach this level of un-coloration. Soundstage is huge, midrange is to die for- very natural with no trace of harshness found in some speakers that make you reach for the volume knob to turn it down. Highs are defined and clear. Bass is great and lacking only the VERY lowest frequencies- not enough to make me turn on my subs for two channel listening. Just freakin' gorgeous! Blue ML logo shining through panel is SOOO cool! Driven with a McIntosh MC352, which seems to be a good match for these. I've owned and listened to a lot of speakers, and as good as they all were they all had some drawback that nagged me. These are as close to my ultimate as I've heard. VERY proud owner!
Strengths: MIDRANGE! SOUNDSTAGE! LOOKS! VALUE (at current used prices)- at this price, NOTHING can touch these. Check them out before you dump thousands more (like I was going to) on newer, inferior speakers.
Weaknesses: VERY large. Need room to the sidewalls and behind. Don't crowd these babies- give them room to breathe! Don't try to drive them with a receiver, they will rebel.
Similar Products Used: Owned: ML SL3's, Ascent i's, KEF 205's, Klipsch RF-7's, Paradigm Studio 100 v2's (another great speaker value!), Studio 60 v4's, Impact Technology Vento, Focal 807's. Auditioned: B&W 802D's (great, but expensive), Several Focals and other B&W's, newer ML's- Vantages and Vistas (sorry- buy older, used ML's), new KEF 205/2 and 207/2's, Paradigm Studio and Signature series.
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Summary: Wow, I just auditioned these speakers and man are they impressive. Anoyone who doesnt give these above a 4 is crazy. They were playing through 2 Krell FPB350's (monoblocks). The soundstage was so deep and wide, when the piano started to play it sounded if you could stand up and throw an apple at the pianist and hit him in the head. And the soundstage was so 3 dimensional it was though there was speakers behind me that were playing the ambience in the music. Also they were so transparent and played with such effortlessness that it didnt even seem like they were playing the music. The mids were like satin sheets rapped around you in smoothness. The highs were good but didnt have too many good crisp highs in the recording I listened to. It was smooth jazz. But they were excellent. The bass was very tight and hit me with smooth tight force. If you have the money dont even bother listening to any other speakers. If you want even smoother and deeper sound audition them with a good tube amp. But Krells are some of the finest in the world so. HAH ok
Summary: I have owned the ML Prodigy's for about a year now and they still make me smile everytime I listen. They do dual duty in my system both home theater and dedicated two channel. My Stereo set-up consists of Sonic Frontiers power2, ARC LS25II, Theta Miles, VPI Aries etc. Surround is Classe' CAV150 and SSP-75 fed by a Sony DVD.
I Listen primarily to two channel music and I auditioned many speakers (Sonus Faber, Maggies, Dynaudio, Ariel) when making my decision. I found nothing with the timbral accuracy, sound staging ability, or dynamics (micro & macro)of these speakers.
I think they sound best with tubes and at least 100 watts. As they all say match with good components or you will not hear how good these speakers really are. They need careful attention to set-up (space away from side and back walls).
By the way I have had zero problems with build quality or performance.
Strengths: wonderful detailed sound, 3-D imaging. They cost a lot but outperfomed similar and more expensive speakers I auditioned.
Weaknesses: They are expensive and big
Similar Products Used: ML SL3, Dynaudio, Sonus Faber, Ariel, Magnepan
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Rating Reviewed by: Chris M(Unregistered User)
(Audio Enthusiast)
Review Date February 23, 2002
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for 3 Months to 1 year
Visitors rate this review 5.00 of 5,
1.00 votes
Review 4 of 21
, from Austin, TX, USA
Price Paid:
$7500.00
from Audio Systems
Summary: I bought the ML Prodigy''s after having owned a pair of SL3''s. Although the Prodigy''s cost quite a bit more they simply kill the SL3''s in thier ability to portray large scale dynamics. The bass reproduction and extension are also much better. I am a listener who finds tonal accuracy to be a critical attribute in sound reproduction and these electrostats are the best I have found in that regard. When set-up properly they create a huge 3-D soundstage, musicians seem to be in the room with you. Bass reproduction is fast and tight (and again tonally accurate).
I auditioned Ariel(8b''s), Dynaudio Confidence 5''s, and Sonus Faber Amati''s when making my decision. The Ariel''s were seriously lacking, they seemed to have a very large dip in thier frequency response in the upper mid range giving them a very laid back, distant presentation. The highs seemed rolled off, and I got serious port noise when they were playing rock and roll at any kind of loud level. The Dynaudio''s sounded great but I thought the ML''s soundstaging was better. The Sonus Faber''s where beautiful furniture, sounded great but I felt the ML''s and the Dyn''s sounded better (especially for the $). The ML''s may not have the slam that some of the best dynamic speakers do but if you like tonal accuracy, spatial presentation, detail, and a very fast transient response these are your speakers. I am using a Sonic Frontiers Power 2, Theta Miles (bal. version), VPI ARIES w/Grado Statement, Sonic Frontiers phono SE, Audio Research LS 25II, Nordost SPM, and Red Dawn. Also Classe'' CAV 150 and SSP 25 for multi-channel. As a side note I have had no trouble with the fit and finish of these speakers. They have worked perfectly from day one. I much prefer tubes than solid state with these speakers.
Strengths: See review
Weaknesses: They need a High current amp to drive them, and high quality components/ cabling to live up to their potential.
Similar Products Used: Dnaudio, Ariel, Sonus Faber, ML SL3''s.
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Summary: I really had a true love-hate relationship with these speakers before I decided to sell them. The bass never blossomed like I expect, despite driving them with 700 watt Classe monoblocks.
Also had "build-quality" problems with the system. Had to have the ELS panels replaced when they began to crinkle in the corners. Also had to have the dealer get new grills due to a glue problem, according to ML. Lastly, one of the logo light switches broke and ML
sent me new ones. ML has been VERY good about warranty items, but the problems were very disappointing.
I believe the pair I had were built very early on. ML has most likely corrected the problems outlined above
Strengths: Amazing highs and mid-range. Huge soundstage with no listener fatigue.
Weaknesses: Build-quality, lack of deep bass.
Similar Products Used: Revel Ultima Salon
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