Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Martin-Logan SL3 Speakers by JD3

Model:	SL3
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$3495
Description:	Electrostatic Hybrid speakers with 48
Manufacturer URL:	Martin-Logan
Model Picture:	View

Review by JD3 ( A ) on September 26, 2002 at 15:06:14
IP Address: 64.60.163.114

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This was the start of my Audiophilemania. I had Polk Audio SDS 2's for many years & always thought that the extra bucks for the High End gear was all hipe. Then one day I went to a friends house & played the CD "Temptation" from Holly Cole on his Martin Logan Arius. I was hooked, what clarity & purity. The bass notes were not bloomy, & I heard every single note, including the bass players hands. Went straight away, found, & bought some floor model SL-3's. I was disappointed when I plug them into my stereo & found out that my 15 year old Yamaha 125 watt Amp couldn't drive them. 3 months later bought an Aragon 8008BB dual mono 400 watt 4 ohm Amp & there it was...slear beauty. Then I notice that my Sony ES CD player had a bad output...bought a Sony XA7ES to replace it, then a Audio Research LS9 pre-amp, then the LS16 tube pre-amp..."HELP" my whole stereo is nearly all replaced except the AM/FM tuner. These speakers will reveal every little flaw either cheap equipment or poor recordings, but once you replace with good equipment...WOW. Another flaw: I had these speakers 2 feet from the walls, 3 feet from the walls, toe in, toe out. They need exact placement to hear the bass reflection & strengths. Later replaced the Aragon 8008BB dual mono amp with (2) Aragon Palladium mono blocks which bought the speakers to a new level.

Product Weakness: bass is rather weak, I use a musical sub to back up the speakers to give more of a "presence" of the music
Product Strengths: Clarity & Purity. They slimmer rather than ram out music

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	(2) Aragon Palladium mono blocks
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audio Research LS16
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony XA7ES & Rega Planar 3
Speakers:	(2) Martin Logan SL3
Cables/Interconnects:	Harmonic Technology Pro-Silway MK II & Truth-Links
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	All types except extreme pop or rap
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	bass is rather weak, I use a musical sub to back up the speakers to give more of a "presence" of the music
Product Strengths:	Clarity & Purity. They slimmer rather than ram out music