Masterpiece lineup expansion

[Mikado463]

Just heard from Devin @ M/L they are expanding their Masterpiece lineup of speakers .........

MartinLogan Expands the Masterpiece Series with the Launch of Two New Electrostatic Loudspeakers: Expression? ESL 13A and Impression? ESL 11A

pics to be forthcoming soon .........

[nalthien]

At this price point, it looks like they are going to be replacing the Summit X and Montis respectively. Very interesting!

[audiokarl]

I was at the HighEnd Munich yesterday and could hear the new Renaissance ESL 15A and the Neolith.
Was very impressed about the new Renaissance panel and the powerful bass section. The "Perfect Bass Kit" calibrate the sub system nicely but still left a good punch my Summit X can not deliver.
After i went home (only 1 hour to go by car) i played the same Demo music on my system (Esoteric D-02, GRUENSCH CSE II se- STEREO AMPLIFIER, Summit X)
But i have to admit that the Renaissance is a big step forward in sound quality. just wow

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by audiokarl

I was at the HighEnd Munich yesterday and could hear the new Renaissance ESL 15A and the Neolith.
Was very impressed about the new Renaissance panel and the powerful bass section. The "Perfect Bass Kit" calibrate the sub system nicely but still left a good punch my Summit X can not deliver.
After i went home (only 1 hour to go by car) i played the same Demo music on my system (Esoteric D-02, GRUENSCH CSE II se- STEREO AMPLIFIER, Summit X)
But i have to admit that the Renaissance is a big step forward in sound quality. just wow

interesting observation, myself having just moved away from Martin Logan after thirty plus years of 'di-pole' listening will need to give a listen as soon as I can.

[nalthien]

Originally Posted by audiokarl

But i have to admit that the Renaissance is a big step forward in sound quality. just wow

On the one hand, it's exciting. On the other hand, I wonder how the Renaissance compares to the CLX ART given that the price point is the same whereas the $10k difference between the Summit X and Renaissance means I would expect a sizable step up.

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by nalthien

On the one hand, it's exciting. On the other hand, I wonder how the Renaissance compares to the CLX ART given that the price point is the same whereas the $10k difference between the Summit X and Renaissance means I would expect a sizable step up.

that's easy ........... as good as the CLX's are their bass extension won't come close to the Renaissance. Besides the stat panel of the 15A is larger as well.

[nalthien]

Originally Posted by Mikado463

that's easy ........... as good as the CLX's are their bass extension won't come close to the Renaissance. Besides the stat panel of the 15A is larger as well.

Certainly the CLX lacks in extension--big time.

I didn't see the panel measurements on the Renaissance--good to know that they are larger and the CLX. My biggest interest would be performance above the crossover point: how much better are the newest generation of panels? Below the crossover is fine--but I'm not as excited about some integrated powered drivers.

[nalthien]

I'm looking forward to the new generation panels moving down the line; the Impression (poised to replace the Montis it seems) will probably be a perfect fit for me when I look to upgrade my Theos.

[Mikado463]

how big of a room do you have your Theos set up in ?

[nalthien]

Originally Posted by Mikado463

how big of a room do you have your Theos set up in ?

Currently I don't have the measurements (and I'm out of town) but the overall measurement of the room is somewhere around 7700 cubic feet (vaulted ceilings). It's a large, very poor for sound living room.

HOWEVER, the reason I'm out of town is that my house was listed on the market to sell 3 days ago and our agent is doing an Open House this weekend. Within the next 3 months, I should have a new room (and my wife is leaning towards allowing me to have a dedicated room in the new house).

The next purchases are going to be working with GIK Acoustics to properly treat whatever room I have. Then I'll get back to the electronics and speakers.

Edit: I've been looking casually for a lightly used pair of Montis which represent the biggest bang-for-buck upgrade currently over the Theos. But with the Impression coming along, I might go down that path instead.