My Martin Logan Theater

[zepherman]

My place for the ultimate audio/video escapism Thanks for looking!



Speakers:
Martin Logan Models: reQuest, Aerius i, Theater i, Descent

Associated electronics:

Preamp Processor/Amplifiers

Pre/Pro: Denon AVP-A1HDCI
5 Channel Amp: Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Series II
5 Channel Amp: Sonance Sonamp 5150

Source

CD Player: Sony CDP-XA20ES
HD DVD Player: Toshiba HD-XA2
Blu-ray Player: Sony BDP-S300
Blu-ray Transport: Denon 2500BTCI
DVD/DVD-A/SACD Player: Yamaha DVD-S2300
CD Recorder: Denon CDR-W1500
S-VHS VCR: JVC HRS-9911U
HD Satellite: Dish Network HD VIP622 DVR/ Hughes HR10-250 Tivo DVR/DirecTV Receiver
Laserdisc Player: Pioneer DVL-919
Minidisc Recorder: Sony MDS-JE530
Tape Deck: Sony TC-K707ES

Display

Sony KDS-R70XBR2 70" SXRD HDTV

Power Conditioner/Surge Protection
Monster Power HTS 5000
Panamax Max DBS
APC Smart UPS SUA750

Additional electronics
Outlaw Audio ICBM 1 Bass Manager
Yamaha APD-1 AC-3 RF Demodulator
DVDO iScan Ultra- video scaler
Western Digital-My Book Premium Edition 750GB external hard drive (for archiving from Dish Network VIP622HD)

Additional Speakers

Subwoofer: ADS MS3
Rear Center Surrounds: Paradigm Mini Monitors
Rear L/R Height Channels: Paradigm Mini Monitors

Interconnects/Speaker Wire

Speaker Cables - Mains: Monster Cable M Series (Bi-Wired Shotgun Configuration)
Speaker Cable - Center: Monter Cable M Series
Speaker Cable - Surrounds: Monster Cable Original 12 gauge
Interconnects: Outlaw Audio PCA with locking barrel ends
Coax Digital: Apature Accusound Digital
Optical: Monster Light Speed 200
XLR Balanced Cables: Cobalt Ultimate Balanced XLR
HDMI Cables: Audioquest Cinemaquest HDMI X and HDMI 3











Denon AVP-A1HDCI






Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature series II- 5 Channel amplifier


Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature series II- rear


Sonance Sonamp 5150- 5 channel amplifier


Monster Power HTS-5000


Sony CDP-XA20ES






Denon CD-RW1500 CD Recorder


DVDO iScan Ultra Video Processor, Sony MDS-JE530 Minidisc Player and Sony TC-K707ES Tape Deck


Yamaha DVD-S2300 DVD-A/SACD Player and Outlaw Audio ICBM 1 Integrated Controlled Bass Manager






Binding Posts on Martin Logan reQuest


Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player


Sony BDP-S300 Blu-Ray Player


Denon BT2500 Blu-ray Transport


Pioneer DVL-919


Western Digital-My Book Premium 750GB External Hard Drive and APC Smart UPS SUA750 Battery Back Up


Sony KDS-70XBR2

[zepherman]

more pictures











Rear Center Surrounds (Paradigm Mini Monitors)


Martin Logan reQuest


Martin Logan Theater i




Martin Logan Descent Subwoofer




ADS MS3 Subwoofer

[ganthc]

Wow, that is impressive! Why do you have two VCRs?

[DAB2084]

This takes the cake for my favorite DVD File setup.

[Pirate]

Very nice! I'm thinking of getting a ML sub. What do you think of the Descent?

Those 6' tall ReQuests are nuts!

[zepherman]

Thanks for the compliments on my system guys

ganthc,

The only reason I'm keeping an extra S-VHS VCR around (Mitsubishi HS-U82) is to record hi-fi audio from satellite.

piratehunter,

The Descent is friggin' awesome! It is by far the best sub that I've ever listened to. And even though It's made to compliment Martin Logan electrostatic speakers, it has gotten raves from non ML owners who use cone based speakers. I guarantee you won't be disappointed with the Descent.

Yeah the reQuests are definitely larger than life

[Pirate]

I'm actually thinking about going with the ML Abyss. I really liked the sound that *tiny* sub produced.

Also, how far back is your seating from the screen and how far away from your wall are the seats. Sorry, I like details.

[George McFly]

Originally Posted by ganthc

Wow, that is impressive! Why do you have two VCRs?

or even one?


nice setup

[EM3]

Wow!

I'm speechless and jealous.

[Iguana Man]

Zepherman...I applaud you.

I have a gazilion questions but will ask these first:

1) It appears the front ML's are within 2' of the back wall. Is the room size dictating this or is this distance what you determined as optimum in your opinion? I ask since I always thought ML's needed alot of room to sound their best. This is based on my readings and a brief encounter of them driven by a humongous tube amp.

2) Which amp drives which speakers and what made you go with the Sunfire Prepro and amp? What can you tell us about the Sonamp 5150 and how it compares to the Sunfire?

3) I'd like to hear more about the ADS MS3 since I've never even heard of that brand.

4) What are those darker lines running down the rear wall and ceiling?

5) What brought you to this site? (you don't have to answer that, but I'm curious nonetheless )

Thanks in advance and a big WOW to your setup!

Iggy

[zepherman]

DAB2084,

That is quite a compliment. Thanks!


EM3,

Thanks!

[zepherman]

piratehunter,

I've seen pictures of the Abyss but I've never listened to it. Looks really nice.

Re how far back the seating is from the screen, they're approx. 13 feet. The seats from the rear wall are approx. 4 feet.


Seth

[zepherman]

Iguana Man,

Actually the reQuests are 3 feet away from the wall. Yes ML's definitely do require plenty of breathing room to sound their best. One exception is the Theater i center channel, it actually sounds better wall mounted than when it was out away from the wall.

The Sunfire Cinema Grand powers all of the Martin Logan speakers (L&R mains, center, side surrounds). The Sonance Sonamp 5150 powers the small Paradigm Mini Monitors (4 of them). As to how the two amps compare, well the Sonance sounds best with cone based speakers, and the Sunfire sounds great with most any kind of speaker. But the reason I picked Sunfire for the Logans is because not only do they offer high curent but they can also handle very low impedance's with no problem. Another plus is that they offer a nice warm sound (very tube like) that compliments Martin Logans nicely.

As for the lines well, It's a wall thing

I ran across this forum quite by accident. I have been visiting the main DVD File site for movie reviews and new up to date news and stuff. But for whatever reason I never noticed that the site had a forum. So for kicks I decided to check it out. I'm glad I did, you guys are great! And BTW you all have some pretty kick ass systems yourselves.


Seth

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by zepherman

I ran across this forum quite by accident. I have been visiting the main DVD File site for movie reviews and new up to date news and stuff. But for whatever reason I never noticed that the site had a forum. So for kicks I decided to check it out. I'm glad I did, you guys are great! And BTW you all have some pretty kick ass systems yourselves.

Glad to have you here!

[Pirate]

I just noticed that you have height-channels. What are your thoughts on those? Since there are no DVDs (to my knowledge) that have discrete encoding for these channels, are they just mirroring the normal surrounds? Does that not sound forced and…err…echo-y.

[Iguana Man]

Thanks for the reply Zeph', one more question....

Do you feel your setup performs better in stereo/sacd/dvdaudio music listening or watching movies?

How would you rate the two against each other?

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by piratehunter
Glad to have you here!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by piratehunter
I just noticed that you have height-channels. What are your thoughts on those? Since there are no DVDs (to my knowledge) that have discrete encoding for these channels, are they just mirroring the normal surrounds? Does that not sound forced and…err…echo-y.

I'm using the side surround height channels to help fill the seating area with sound. This way everyone sitting down will get the benefit of the surround effects. And yes they are being fed the same surround signal. And no It's not at all echo-y or forced sounding, it actually sounds pretty darn good.


Seth

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by zepherman

I'm using the side surround height channels to help fill the seating area with sound. This way everyone sitting down will get the benefit of the surround effects. And yes they are being fed the same surround signal. And no It's not at all echo-y or forced sounding, it actually sounds pretty darn good.

I see. We've had a few discussions here about height channels and their practical application in the HT, but your use of them is perfect.

That actually answered my next question as well. I was going to ask how you handle those seats on the end that are outside your surround field.

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man
Do you feel your setup performs better in stereo/sacd/dvdaudio music listening or watching movies?

How would you rate the two against each other?

I can confidently say that stereo/SACD/DVD-Audio music listening and movies both sound spectacular! These speakers produce a sound that has a very natural sound that's never too bright, singers voices are sometimes so realistic sounding that if you close your eyes It's almost as if they were performing right in front of you. It's pretty amazing.

Movie soundtracks really kick butt! Everything from subtle environmental sounds to in your face whiz bang extravaganzas, they all shine through on these speakers. I listen to music and watch movies pretty much equally. I love my Logans!

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man
I'd like to hear more about the ADS MS3 since I've never even heard of that brand.

While looking through this thread I noticed that I had somehow forgotten to answer one of your questions. Sorry about that.

Answering your question. ADS (Analog and Digital Systems), was at one time at the forefront of subwoofer technology. Their subwoofers were considered one of the best and were highly rated. The MS3 was their most popular seller with a deep sound that's punchy and fast. It was a very well known brand back in the early to mid 90's. I've had my MS3 since '94 and it has worked flawlessly. It's a unique bandpass design that offers some of the best sound attributes that both sealed and ported designs offer.

I'm surprised that ADS Isn't still a well known brand like Velodyne, SVS, HSU, etc. I am very happy with it, and as long as It's still functioning I'm going to keep on using it.



Seth

[Iguana Man]

Thanks for answering that. Of course, you know....I got one more question for ya. Why the Descent? Are you simply partial to ML or did you audition other subs? I would think that the new Velo's with room control built in would have at least made your audition list if you had one to begin with.

Just curious...

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man
Why the Descent? Are you simply partial to ML or did you audition other subs? I would think that the new Velo's with room control built in would have at least made your audition list if you had one to begin with.

First off, one of the main reasons I chose the Descent is because It's one of the best sounding subwoofers out there. Many who have purchased this sub don't even own Martin Logan Electrostatic speakers. And second, it was a perfect compliment to my Martin Logan speaker setup. Having great performance is priority one, and it being the same brand is just icing on the cake

Velodyne makes some great subs, and I've never listened to the one with room control, I'd like to. But I never felt the need to look and listen to other subs once I heard the ML Descent. After I heard what it could do I just went for it.

Now one that I have heard and I really liked is Thiel's flagship sub with outboard processors. It will probably match or possibly even exceed the ML Descent. But when I listened to it I already had the Descent. But if I ever do decide to get an additional sub It'll be either another ML model or the Thiel.


Seth

[bembol]

That. Is. Stunning!

Wow!

[zepherman]

bembol,

Thanks for the very nice compliment on my system.

Just curious, did you ever get yourself an HD-XA2? I remember you mentioning that the stores in your area didn't have them in stock.

BTW I checked out your web page and I must say your Acura RSX rocks! It's a very nice machine as I've had the pleasure of driving one Acura's new TL S type is pretty amazing also, saw one in black and it was sweet. I'm very partial to Acura's as I own one myself (3.5 RL).


Seth

[zepherman]

Just wanted share some pix of my new Sony BDP-S300 and some more pix of the Sony 70 XBR2.