Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
As I noted in a previous review I have owned these speakers for five years and can only say that I am impressed with their performance. I am currently running them with an NAD M3 signature series two channel amp and a ML Descent subwoofer. The sound is amazing and I am glad that I heeded the advice of other people on this site who have posted that I should get a better amp and cables. The difference is profound!
Receiver: NAD Signature M3
Sub: Martin Logan Descent
DVD: Sony DVP-S9000ES
Monitor: Pioneer Elite Signature PRO 101-FD
Blu-Ray: Samsung BD-P3600

muzz777

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.78 of 5, 9.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
The best speaker that I have heard under $4,500. They are outstanding. Unmatched highend and midrange, sounstage etc... Worth every penny! go listen.

Strengths:
everything

Weaknesses:
size

Similar Products Used:
B+w, thiel, sonus faber, monitor audio, wilson, revel, psb,infinity, pinnacle, audio physique, PMC, magnapan etc.....

Price Paid:  $2500.00 from Tweeters

Summary:
I bought these as floor demos. The ESL screens had dents in them and ML replaced them with Ascenti panels. Incredible speakers. Lifelife vocals. I installed spikes which tightened up the bass quiet a bit. Initially running them through a 120w Technics receiver and they still sounded good (the Tweeters rep listened and was surprised). I have since upgraded to B&K 200w monoblocks. The bass is stronger and very natural. But not a quantum leap improvement over the receiver. I'm a strong believer in putting your money into your speakers. These speakers amaze me everytime I hear them. I had JBL pro-line monitors and went and listened to B&W 803's and Sonus Faber's. These were the only one's that justified the change.

Strengths:
Vocals, whether pop or opera, are better than being there. Quality recordings are presented the way they were meant to be.

Weaknesses:
Have a definite sweetspot, so be ready to adjust your furniture accordingly. Bass will not impress the rumble-loving crowd.

Price Paid:  $4000.00 from Soundworks

Summary:
This is an update from a much earlier review. Having had these speaker for over two years now (approaching three), I can say with some authority that these are great speakers. I'm still satisfied--more than satisfied. This product is truly a happy marriage of looks and performance, perhaps ML's best buy for the money. The bass issue: In reading some of the previous posts, I see some valid concerns re: bass response. In my own experience, after having upgraded my amp to something quite substantial I have absolutely NO complaints about bass response. In fact, the bass response can even be said to be a little on the heavy side. So, if you notice a lack of bass, I recommend a few things: 1)Upgrade your amp. I use a Classe CA-301, which I highly recommend. Remember, you should spend as much (or more?) on your amp as on your speakers. 2)Use good stuff upstream. That means, pay attention to your source, your cables, your preamp, etc. If there's a weakness upstream, you'll hear it downstream. 3)Once you've upgraded, give it a little time. Both speakers and amps tend to get better with age. My system (currently) Ascents Classe CA-301 Classe CP-45 Cardas Golden Cross XLR Straightwire Crescendo RCA Sony S9000ES DVD/SACD Meridian 588 MIT 750 (I think) Happy listening. . .

Strengths:
Everything

Weaknesses:
Won't do your dishes for you. . .

Price Paid:  $3980.00 from Tweeter

Summary:
I love my ML Ascents. The detail and soundstage are awesome. The bass is very accurate, and much improved with biwiring using Audioquest Granite. I could hear dramatic improvements with every upgrade in my system. High quality electronics, cables and interconnects are the secret to making these things sing. Current System: Bryston 4BSST amp Bryston BP25 preamp Bryston Balanced interconnects Audioquest Granite - external biwire Audioquest Diamondback interconnects Denon CD player

Strengths:
Definition, clarity, soundstage. Voices have an "in the room" quality. You will hear things you have never heard before, and the sense of space is immense.

Weaknesses:
To sound their best, plan on spending serious $$ on electronics. Placement and setup can be confusing. Be patient, it pays off huge. Not for small rooms. They cost a pretty penny, but you won't find anything in this price range or above that competes. Hard Rock on these is painful.

Similar Products Used:
B&W, Magnepan, JBL, Energy, Infinity, Paradigm, Boston, Klipsch, Mirage, Thiel