Martin Logan in the house!

**Sonnie** · **03-15-08, 12:59 PM**

It's not an issue for me. I'll see if I can get you a response graph posted today.

**SteveCallas** · **03-15-08, 01:21 PM**

I'm not so much interested in a response graph, as I'm sure it stays reasonably flat to at least 60hz. I'm worried that a single 8" wouldn't be able to keep up in the 80-250hz range when volume levels get spirited. What is the woofer configuration like on your model of speaker Sonnie?

**Blaser** · **03-15-08, 06:06 PM**

Hi Steve!

Long time! As far as we are not talking about insane levels, a stereo 8" woofer system can do a good job. My mains have dual 8" each but I am also using dual 18" subs powered by 4 KW (as you know) and I feel they are even in their duties.

**Sonnie** · **03-15-08, 06:46 PM**

Quote:

SteveCallas wrote:

I'm not so much interested in a response graph, as I'm sure it stays reasonably flat to at least 60hz. I'm worried that a single 8" wouldn't be able to keep up in the 80-250hz range when volume levels get spirited. What is the woofer configuration like on your model of speaker Sonnie?

I guess I am not sure what you mean by "keep up". I have yet to notice any strain or distortion when playing at spirited levels... everything is there. The mid-bass is the best I have heard in my system. I never noticed it with my Bostons like I do with my ML's.

The one thing I really like about these speakers is when I close my eye I can imagine one or a couple of gigantic speakers 10' tall stretching all across the room... one big huge sound stage (I hope I am describing it correctly).

**SteveCallas** · **03-15-08, 08:12 PM**

Sonnie, the midbass capabilities on your speaker look much more competent than that of the Vistas. Yours is using a 10" woofer that is crossed down at 280hz, so it should be extremely capable in the midbass range. The Vistas use a single 8" woofer crossed at 450hz, not really confidence-inspiring.

**Sonnie** · **03-16-08, 01:08 AM**

Yeah... I cannot speak for the Vista line. You might check over at the Martin Logan Owners forum. Those guys are usually very helpful and there are a lot of Vista owners.

Personally... from what I have researched, the Ascent i's are among the dealer favorites short of the Odysseys, Summits and a couple of the other upper end models. One dealer who knew I had already purchased mine stated that they are his favorite short of the Summits. You may be able to line up a listen with one of the ML owners through the Owners forum.

**JonFo** · **03-16-08, 10:35 AM**

Quote:

SteveCallas wrote:

Sonnie, the midbass capabilities on your speaker look much more competent than that of the Vistas. Yours is using a 10" woofer that is crossed down at 280hz, so it should be extremely capable in the midbass range. The Vistas use a single 8" woofer crossed at 450hz, not really confidence-inspiring.

Steve, you are correct in your doubts that a single 8" can keep up with the ML panels. In terms of power curve (ability to maintain he same freq. resp profile at varying SPL levels), most hybrids with a single mid-bass or woofer driver are challenged at levels above 90dB SPL.

It took an array of six Adire Extremis 6.8's to really match (and probably exceed if I let it) the SPL power curve of a SL3/Ascent/Vista class panel. See my assessment of this in this thread on a hybrid line array ESL I built as a center channel.

However, most ML hybrids do just fine at 'normal' listening levels. As the sheer clarity (pardon the pun) of the ESL more than makes up for a slight deficiency in mid-bass. Also, correct room treatment can improve things dramatically at the mid-bass as well.

Advertisement