Marten Bird 2
 

I'm entertaining the thought of displaying the Marten Bird 2 in one of my Cape rigs. If I do, I would choose this finish; your thoughts are welcome! :yes:

http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...1&d=1415335189

Ivan...beautiful. Big thumbs up. By the way, do you also carry EAR tube gear? Marten and EAR are handled by same importer and are very synergistic together. The combo often wins high end audio awards for one of "Best in Show" exhibits .

It's gorgeous, and gives me yet another reason to make another trip out there again :)

Wow that is gorgeous ! :thumbsup:

Cyril... yes,, I carry the full line of EAR gear. :ok:

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I haven't heard the Heritage Series of speakers. The times I heard the Coltrane it was very impressive. Nice looking speakers.

Ivan...that's great. I would definitely do a full EAR/Marten rig to showcase. They are supposed to be very good together. The EAR 912 preamp is supposed to be stellar. Their phono stages are very well thought of as are di Parvicini's tubed DAC. The EAR 890 amps in mono configuration (140 wpc) are prolly the way to go with the Bird 2s. That would be a bitchin' combo :thumbsup:

EAR 912 (includes excellent phono stage): http://www.ear-yoshino.com/prodpics/...l_Centre_t.jpg

EAR AcuteIII CD Player: http://www.ear-yoshino.com/prodpics/...D_Player_t.jpg

or EAR 192 DACute: http://www.ear-yoshino.com/prodpics/...2_DACute_t.jpg

EAR 890 (stereo 70 wpc or mono 140 wpc): http://www.ear-yoshino.com/prodpics/...alve_Power.jpg

Wow, speakers look awesome.

I like them in black myself, the contrast with the ceramic drivers looks kind of cool.

I listened to the Getz very often (and in black!), and they have superb transparency and I love the bass definition. As a SF guy, I find the Getz a touch too dry for my taste even though I admire their strengths. I suspect I would like the Bird a lot, which probably has a bit more weight to the sound.

Hi Glisse,

there is a marked difference between the Getz and the Getz 2 with the newer updated crossover along with updated Accuton drivers. Partnered with appropriate electronics, there is great richness, tonality and wonderful textures. Bass weight is just right and really hits you in the chest if the music dictates so.

Listening extensively to the Bird 1 and owning the Bird 2, there is this richness that seems prevalent throughout the newer Marten crossovers. I heard the same difference between the Duke 1 and Duke 2 that I have spent extensive time with.

Does Bryston electronics pair well with Marten speakers? Such as the Bird or Miles?

I have heard both separately both not together. I would personally like a level of richness and musicality to the sound that I would look to gain from the source or preamp section. The Marten speakers are overly transparent in character. You can make them sound lean or you can make them sound rich...all depends on your partnering equipment :)

To pair with Bryston electronics, I would probably NOT look at ceramic driver based speakers. Just a gut hunch, but I am sure it could be made to work with enough dedication behind the electronics chain. Cheers!

Hi Shaizada,

I am considering to buy a used Bird2 currently on the market here in the Netherlands.

My amplification is Conrad Johnson CT5/Premier 140. This would be a match comparable to your EAR combo.

My main concern however is the roomsize they will be in: 17 ft deep, 10 ft high, wall to the left, open on the right side. Can too much bass be a problem in this set-up?

What is your experience with the Bird2 in your room setting and the use of its bass level control?

Thanks

pierre... Welcome to AA! :wave:

Ivan, thanks for the warm welcome!

I've been around already for some time as registered user, but never got to post a reply until now...

What's the MSRP of those?

seems around $30,000

Hrmmm...

Options, options...

The upstairs is getting crowded already, too.

They would certainly be a good fit in the 2-channel room. The wide footprint of the Strads could be better used upstairs? (And then you'd maybe be forced to go upstairs more often aside from just to dust?)

Current US MSRP is $38,000 from what I know.

Pierre, welcome to AA. I have a much smaller room than yours :) though with a very large cathedral ceiling. But you will simply have NO PROBLEM with bass control at all. Keep it in the middle position and go from there. These drivers do not have any bass slop or overhang. They do their job and get out of the way like lightening. Easily the fastest moving coil drivers I have heard on this planet!

Only thing I am unsure about is the match with your Conrad Johnson electronics, but be careful as the speakers are ultra revealing. So tune properly and with care to get the most out of the speakers. 1/8th of an inch movements in positioning can change the sound, so you need to give it time. Time for you to get used to to them and learn your way around. With that said, Bird 2 are a very different speaker compared to the Bird 1 :)

Enjoy your purchase! What finish are the ones u are getting? I have a Cherry Burled finish. There is spectacular complexity in the wood, if you take the time to appreciate these things. Easily one of the best purchases of my speaker life.

Lots of things to learn about them. If u do buy them, reach out and I can help you with whatever I learned about them so far. Little tips and tricks to get the most out of them. The art is in the setup. A very refined speaker!

Shaizada, thanks for the information.

Your remarks on the bass control give me comfort in my decision. The finish is piano walnut, very beautiful.

I will surely will consider your kind offer to share your tips & tricks once I have cliched the deal.

Will keep you posted…

I bought the Birds 2 and got them today. All I can say is wow!

The sound stage is spectacular and airy and the bass tight and neutral. A significant improvement from ML Summits they replaced (sigh… did not drain my savings in vain). The signature of the midrange and treble is comparable to the ML panels, fast and sweet without any agressiveness but with even more detail.

There was too much base in the initial set-up, but moving the left speaker 2 inches farther from the side wall did the trick (with the bass level control on neutral). It’s all-in the placement…

The birds 2 will be a keeper for many years to come.:D

Will post a few pics tomorrow.