Have to agree. I run smaller MLs (Aeon i) and whilst they're not as bad as Monoliths for current requirement, they still work the amplifier pretty hard. But for sheer sound stage and clarity you simply can't beat them. I think this comes from the fact an ML is really just a very simple 2-way speaker with a very low x-over frequency. Above around 350-400Hz, there's nothing to interfere with the signal. Add this to the purity of sound from an ESL panel and you have a fabulous sounding speaker.

Let's put this into perspective, based on UK pricing (rounded to the nearest thousand):

DSP 7000 - �16,000
DSP 8000 - �25,000

Martin Logan Summits - �10,000 (these are the new range topper)

This leaves between �6,000 and �15,000 free for amplification and cables. You can purchase some awesome amplification for this sort of cash - Krell, Mark Levinson, Bel Canto etc all fall into this range.

It's a ultimately a question of personal taste, but for me DSPs just don't have the same clarity and staging as MLs. Listening through MLs is almost like someone has taken a veil from over the music. Nothing else has ever done this for me, including all the DSPs I've auditioned and heard.

Just my views based on a huge time spent auditioning speakers.

Cheers,

David

596, 551 (pre-amp), 557,
Martin Logan Clarity, Rega P25, Lehmann 'Black Cube'