Impressive equipment ... at a price. I'm currently driving them with a inexpensive Sherwood and ... they don't sound half bad. Very sensitive to recording quality, however, and a wee bit bright. The dealer claims that brightness will decrease with use (about 100 hours are required to break-in properly). We'll see. Heading for five stars if they do get less bright.

Midrange ,transparency, quickness.

cabinet construction, low frequency extention and definition

Upon reading most of the postings, i realise and agree that SL3 need a very good amp/sources (Krell, Levinson, SF power3). I've owned a Bryston 4B-ST with the SL-3, the bass definition and extention was totaly different. One thing that to take good care of, is the acoustics of your room. These speakers are very room dependant (dipole). It may take you at lease 6 to 8 months of tweaking and position the SL-3, but once done, you get great results. The new spikes that ML sell is a must for this speaker. It changes the coupling with the floor, and results in less vibrations caused by bass driver to the electrostats panels. SL-3 needs a system that is balanced in terms of quality of every components. The weak link will be audible!!!
This is not the best speaker in the world, but it is an extremely reasonnable compromise when all things are considered!!!

Clarity and Soundstage (When Placed properly) and great costomer support from ML in Kansas

Not enough bass, Inferior quality on the cabinet. Internal electronics could be improved.

I have owned these speakers for over a year and I am still amazed over that soundstage and the overall sound. I hope that the bass is going to improve once I get around to bi-wire the speakers. The internal wiring could be improved upon. ML should try to subcontract their wiring to a cable assembly shop and stick with R&D and guilding the final speakers. The powder coated finish is of excellent quallity, but the painted sides stinks,hard to keep clean and they scuff real easy. Overall 4 out of 5. 4.5 for sound and 3 for quality of wiring and the cabinet.

Detail/clarity/WAF

Placement/positioning

After having read the other reviews my only build is relative to the bass concerns.

My first rack included a Yamaha 2095 receiver and this was used to drive the SL3's for their first 2 months at home. I also was disappointed by the bass response and was beginning to have "buyers remorse". Then in month 3 the Krell HTS pre amp and 5x100 amp arrived. Wow what a difference in bass :-) This comment is not intended to laude the Krell’s, rather it is to isolate one dimension of the SL3's. My observation is that a high quality amp (of moderate wattage) made a huge difference in my SL3's.

Pre high quality amp I would have rated the SL3's 3.5 or 4 because of the bass. With a high quality amp comes the 5.0. (Rating of 5 is for this price range)

I wondered what 250 watt per channel would do versus 100 so I asked Martin Logan. The answer I got back was "not much more on the SL3's if you have a high quality 100 watt". But I still wonder...

I am now in the market for a sub that matches up well with the SL3's. Any feedback would be appreciated. The ML staff was unwilling to comment on brands.

Current rack from top to bottom:
Yamah TX-492, tuner
Pioneer DV-525, DVD player
Mitsubishi HS-U795, VCR
Monster HTS 5000, Power Center
Krell HTS, Pre Amp.
Krell KAV-500, Amp
DH Labs Silver Sonic, Biwire

Speakers;
Martin Logan SL3’s, Main
Martin Logan Cinema, Center
Energy XL, Rear surround

purchased used, they have no equal for the money.

Questionable build quality.

Just a quick counter-review for the post below by Mr. Ashman.

Yes, I too have witnessed an overly bright SL3 w/ very shy bass . . . At "Home Entertainment" - when mated to an Adcom pre/amp and postioned ~6" from the wall. Past reviews will reveal that SL3s are picky as to what drives them. When improperly matched/placed they're fatiguing to say the least.

I can vouch when teamed with a Krell FPB 200, Transparent Ultra XL leads/interconnects and Rega Planet, the SL3s are wonderful. Prodigious bass, defined midrange - smooth highs. Could wax on forever.

The SL3's only shortcoming is it's build quality. Although the most recent randitions have imprved the binding posts, internal bracing is lacking. (I listed an intial review several posts down regarding this issue).

Nonetheless, purchased used for ~$1850-1900, the SL3s should be a definte listen (matched to the proper equipment).

Price and Sound

None.

For the price, these speakers are awesome. Not a day goes by without these speakers impressing me. I listen to CD's that I have heard many times over the years and I feel like I am hearing them for the first time on these speakers. The are the clearest speakers I have ever heard and have excellent sound stage. Some setup is required to get them placed just right. As I read the other reviews, I note that many reviewers complain of lack of bass. I had the same problem. I tried several different amplifiers in the $3k and under price range and the bass was just average. I had concluded that the 10" driver/cabinet just could not produce the bass I liked. I then bought a used Krell FPB 300. This amp is known for it's bass slam. What a difference! The SL3's produce very clear, deep, defined bass afterall. So if you want these speakers to really shine, you have to drive them with a powerful amplifier. Conclusion: The amp and speakers are a great combination. Highly recommend.

Similar Products Used:

Definitive Speakers, Martin Logan Aerius

Amazing detail, midrange, clarity.

Revealing of system weaknesses and requires effort for correct speaker placement. Lacking low-end extension.

I was at first slightly dissapointed in these speakers. They seemed harsh and they seemed very "beamy". It took upgrading my CD player, pre-amp, and amp to realize how good the SL3's are. They are extremely revealing of the system and require proper room placement for proper sound. But when you give them a good signal - they are excellent speakers. I have been living with these for almost 5 years and do not have the urge to upgrade.

I originally was using them with a mass market Harmon Kardon integrated amp. I would not recommend running these with sub-standard equipment. If you are willing to invest in a high quality system, these speakers will bring you into the heart of the music.

Imaging is amzing when speakers are correctly placed. Do not place them too close to the rear wall and listen for room reflections.

I was using them with a Sunfire Theater Grand II preamp/processor for a while, and the do great with home theater as well. There is a little lack of low end extension with the SL3's for home theater. For music they do great. I added a Velodyne 18" sub for theater but also use it for music as well.

Martin Logan does not make the SL-3's any more, but I can't say enough about the quality of both the sound, look, and reliability of Martin Logan products. I'll never go back to traditional speakers. Highly recommended.

Current System:
Martin Logan SL3
Velodyne FSR-1800 II
McCormack DNA-1 revision A gold Amp
Conrad Johnson Premier 17LS
Rotel RCD-975 CD Player
MIT 2 Bi-Wire Speaker Cables
Tributaries & Transparent Interconnects

Similar Products Used:

Maritn Logan Arius I, B&W 604

The sound of music ! The highs are nice the mids are fantastic. The lows are fine but not sub range.

None that i know of yet. i have a sub to get real low.

I've had all kinds of speakers over the years. It drives my wife crazy. Come to think of it....it kind of drives me crazy too, but I can't stop (treatment might help).
I just stopped by a pawn shop that a friend owns. He just put these out on the floor and I drooled. My wife said OK but your as# is mine for the next few months. OK, I can live with that.
I just bought them a few hours ago. So far I love them, however, I realize as many have said, that I need to find the perfect positioning for them as wel as amp(s).
I have an Adcom gfa 2535 running them but not biamped.
I have an NAD 3120 (2ch) and NAD 2100 (2ch). I may biamp to see how that sounds or I could run the Adcom in four chan and biamp with that. Right now I have the Adcom using two chn on the SL3 and the other two bridged for my center ch.
Sorry to ramble...suffice to say, I feel I got a GREAT deal on these and look forward to finding the "purrfect" mix of amps and positioning to get the most out of them.
I am giving a 4 stars because of my knowelge of ML company and my initial listening tests and because the price was so right(for me).
I'll come back and raise or lower based on more time evaluating these.

Similar Products Used:

NHT, Vandersteen 2ce, Carver, Mag. MMG and some home mades.

Amazingly tranparent with simply beautiful sound!

Price, weight, setup

Quite possibly the sweetest sound I have ever heard. These speakers are quite possible the culmination of perfect sound and, as a nice side effect, look amazing, if bulky. The weight pushes its luck somewhat, and setting it up takes some time and patience, but the end result is sweet, sweet, sweet! If you can stand to fork over the cash, take them.
Listening to them with a Krell amplifier was excellent, but with a slightly less worthy amplifier, the bass reproduction could be a bit ugly. But even with a more conventional amplifier the highs and mids could be the best thing you have ever heard.

Similar Products Used:

JBL, Klipsch

Amazingly tranparent with simply beautiful sound!

Price, weight, setup

Quite possibly the sweetest sound I have ever heard. These speakers are quite possible the culmination of perfect sound and, as a nice side effect, look amazing, if bulky. The weight pushes its luck somewhat, and setting it up takes some time and patience, but the end result is sweet, sweet, sweet! If you can stand to fork over the cash, take them.
Listening to them with a Krell amplifier was excellent, but with a slightly less worthy amplifier, the bass reproduction could be a bit ugly. But even with a more conventional amplifier the highs and mids could be the best thing you have ever heard.

Similar Products Used:

JBL, Klipsch