quick report on the ML Expression and Vandersteen Quatro Wood CT
System: Auralic>
Parasound JC2 BP>
Aesthetix Atlas. The system was the same for both, just adding the Parasound Phono and VPI Avenger for some Analogue goodness at the end of the session. SC was Audioquest and assume that interconnects were, too.
ML Expression 13A
Initially sounded a lot like my own speakers with more low end, but once John put some cloth behind them they changed completely for the better. There are no holes in the mid and highs reproduction and it seems that Martin Logan has significantly bettered integration with the sub, although the crossover can still be heard if you know what you're looking for. With the drapes/towels/whatever behind them the sound stage also projected significantly in front of them and the stage became more elliptical with the speakers being in that inner axis. Pretty neat trick. High frequency extension is good, but does not have that much of the trickle-down effect that I'm looking for. My current speakers do a better job at that. From a tonality perspective they are very similar to what I have, but are better in texture and, to a certain extent, body. Speed is on par with the MMO, but again, I have a faster amp and cables so that might something to do with it, too.
Reflective surfaces behind them severely hamper what they can do. Can have the woofer output adapted, so I guess that also helps to fine tune with the room. Off-axis dispersion is extremely limited. The sounds falls apart if you move laterally. Looks are always very personal, but they don't tower as monolithic as the Revels, but, in my case, would still be a tough sell. Overall a very good speaker, but not really what I'm aiming for.
Vandersteen Quatro Wood CT
This was my first encounter with Vandersteens and I had no idea what to expect. MY GOODNESS, are these good!!! Immediately reminded me of the Rockport sound (I'm sure many will disagree), but with a tad less resolution (I only know the Aviors personally and that system was using the full Scarlatti stack and Nagra amplification, so that might also be it). The sound is extremely cohesive, phenomenally well integrated and has a mid and low end to die for. Deep, accurate low frequencies without bloat and, for the second time in my life, I heard low frequency decay reproduction (first time was Rockport, so maybe that's one of the reasons I feel they're similar). Sound stage was incredible, body, texture and tonality were off the charts. They do so many things right that it frees the mind up to focus on other things than making up for the deficiencies in sound. This, and not some kind of added warmth, is why I believe these are so non-fatiguing. Could listen to them for extended periods of time easily.
The major beef that I would have with them is similar to the one that I had with Rockports - HF extension and decay, where I have stated that my preference is for something more
Raidho-ish. I don't know if this one of the trade-offs of getting so much right regarding body, texture and tonality, but a pattern seems to emerge. If only Richard would be able to be true to this sound with a Ribbon, Beryllium or whatever-tweeter it would be a killer. If at the end of my quest I do find out that one can only have one or the other I just might choose this version, since it does so much right.
Again the Revels seem to walk that middle ground. Tonality, body, texture and weight were better with the Vandersteens, but the Salon2s were very good, too, with the added benefit of a better HF extension and decay and a phenomenal off-axis dispersion. The Quatros sound stage didn't completely fall apart when sitting on the seat next to the sweet spot like the ML, but it was still miles from how well the Salon2s dealt with that.
Size is very surprising and would probably would be the easiest sell of all of the speakers I've looked at until now. Again dimensions on paper don't tell the whole story. They become more slender towards the top and are not very tall, so the impression is of a smaller speaker. These are definitely on the short list.
John also mentioned that I might want to listen to the new ELACs that he will be getting in about a month. There seems to be some kind of stir in the community regarding the Adante line and I intend to check them out. My thanks to John Fort for his time, patience and wisdom. A true gentleman that's been doing this for a very long time. #respect