Hi Guys
My ML2's have finally been finished and I heard them for the first time today. The first thing I noticed was they sounded more analog like (for want of a better word), less smeared and more focused than my ML3 References which left me scratching my head. Bass for all practical purposes as low as my ML3's being flat to 30hz instead of 25 hz. Played some Casandra Wilson with pretty low bass and I really could not tell the difference. They sounded a better speaker than my three times the price ML3's. What the fook. Then the reason was found - it had what are called toppers on them which are anti resonance devices. I have heard them before and they make a big difference. I took them off and the drop in performance was obvious - less analogue like and not as focused - now my ML3's were better.
Ok how do they compare to Lee's ML2's? Well I only heard his speakers as a late prototype but I felt my speakers had the natural, fast sound of the Duelund VSF Copper I am used to in my speakers and did not notice it in Lees speakers which had Solen Tin Foil.
I can confirm these speakers, with or without the toppers, are above the ML1 Reference which I had in my system for quite a while. Don't even think about getting ML1's unless you have a specific reason such as near-field monitoring, you need portability to for example demo audio equipment, have a small room, money is tight, or some other reason.
I did my initial listen with Mac 501's which are excellent amps but at $20K are probably not the amp most would use. I switched to a NAKSA 100 and again it sounded fantastic. You can easily hear the NAKSA signature which is excellent bass grip with a tube like, non fatiguing, relaxing sound you can easily listen to for long periods. An excellent generalist amp. I hope to pop some valve gear on it a bit further down the track such as my Trafomatic SET but I suspect with how accurate it is it will be the usual euphonic bliss - great for Dianna Krall etc but not the bass slam of SS.
How do they compare to the S2? I have only heard them as late prototypes and they have been improved considerably since then. I hate to say it however but these are in an entirely different league. I wish I could say there was not a lot in it but unfortunately you do get a lot for the extra dosh. Mike did mention the approx cost and I will be happy to post it but they are roughly twice the price of the S2.
Thanks
Bill