GoldenEar Triton 2 (used) vs. Martin Logan Motion 40 (new)

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dbucks

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Have been looking at upgrading my main speakers for a while now.  Search has narrowed to GoldenEar Triton 2s (used) vs. Martin Logan Motion 40s (new).  I know speaker preference is a very subjective thing but looking for any advice others might have.  It is impossible to do a head to head comparison between these so curious what experiences others have had with these speakers - plus any other options I may be overlooking in this price range - approx $1,300/pair.

JLM

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Re: GoldenEar Triton 2 (used) vs. Martin Logan Motion 40 (new)
« Reply #1 on: 17 Mar 2020, 02:52 pm »
Welcome!

Knowledge is power!  Full range speakers are so yesterday!  The ideal location to generate bass versus midrange/treble in-room do not coincide.  Much better to find stand-mounts that are smaller/cheaper that go down to say 60 - 80 Hz in a non-cubic room and add 3 or 4 carefully positioned subs (as funds allow):

https://jamesromeyn.com/audiokinesis-speaker-models/debra/

Suggest reading Floyd Toole's "Sound Reproduction" 3rd edition, the consummate audiophile guide to learn how speakers behave in-room.  Bass peaks/dips (which can be upwards of 30 dB!) follow primary room dimensions, frequencies = 1130/dimension (in feet).  Full range speakers can only be set up to compromise bass and/or mid/treble performance.  Typical symmetrical side-by-side setups only double the problem in the direction they're facing.  Treatments aren't always feasible and DSP room correction can only work to even out frequencies in one location. 

The other two modern design features apply to monopole designs (not the dipoles you're looking at):  controlled directivity (to provide the same sound regardless of the room - look for waveguides); and active design (low voltage signal directly feeding the much more sophisicated crossover which feeds one channel of amplification per driver, this what studio professionals have been using for decades).  These two features are available in a very nice, compact cabinet for as little as $300/pair - JBL 305 MkII.  Just add a preamp and source.  Obviously a larger, more expensive speaker can cleanly generate higher sound pressure levels but that is beyond your budget.

rollo

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Re: GoldenEar Triton 2 (used) vs. Martin Logan Motion 40 (new)
« Reply #2 on: 17 Mar 2020, 02:59 pm »
  The two speakers are totally different in character. The Triton is on the warm side of neutral where the ML are are brighter. The Tritons have superior bass. The ML has a lifelike top end. ML has a thinner sound yet more focused. Not a dealer of either.

charles

Wind Chaser

Re: GoldenEar Triton 2 (used) vs. Martin Logan Motion 40 (new)
« Reply #3 on: 17 Mar 2020, 03:04 pm »
I think there are better options within that budget.  :wink:

Phil A

Re: GoldenEar Triton 2 (used) vs. Martin Logan Motion 40 (new)
« Reply #4 on: 17 Mar 2020, 03:23 pm »
Welcome!

I.Greyhound Fan

Re: GoldenEar Triton 2 (used) vs. Martin Logan Motion 40 (new)
« Reply #5 on: 17 Mar 2020, 04:18 pm »
  The two speakers are totally different in character. The Triton is on the warm side of neutral where the ML are are brighter. The Tritons have superior bass. The ML has a lifelike top end. ML has a thinner sound yet more focused. Not a dealer of either.

charles

Spot on about these 2 speakers.  I went with my son to audition Tritons and ML 60's.  If your electronic gear is warm and full sounding then the ML's could be a good match.  I am not a fan of either speaker brand.

Rocket_Ronny

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Re: GoldenEar Triton 2 (used) vs. Martin Logan Motion 40 (new)
« Reply #6 on: 17 Mar 2020, 04:50 pm »
Quote
I am not a fan of either speaker brand.

I have a pair of the Golden Ear Sat 3s mounted on the front pillars of my Jeep. Rolled off at 100 hz to a sub. Also, have some eg on them.

Have to say I love those speakers. They sound great, love the tweeter and mids are clean. They also image fantastic as well. Due to the imaging of the GE I would buy those before a boxed Martin Logan, but take the electrostat ML over the Golden Ear.

Rocket Ronny

abd1

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Re: GoldenEar Triton 2 (used) vs. Martin Logan Motion 40 (new)
« Reply #7 on: 17 Mar 2020, 06:31 pm »
Have been looking at upgrading my main speakers for a while now.  Search has narrowed to GoldenEar Triton 2s (used) vs. Martin Logan Motion 40s (new).  I know speaker preference is a very subjective thing but looking for any advice others might have.  It is impossible to do a head to head comparison between these so curious what experiences others have had with these speakers - plus any other options I may be overlooking in this price range - approx $1,300/pair.

Since you're a new member I can't send a private message, but if you're in the Portland, Or. area and decide to go with Triton 2's I have a pair plus an XL center that don't get much use. I might be interested in selling them to a local buyer since I don't have boxes. Mine were primarily used for home theater, which they are excellent for, but I'd rather use the funds for something else since they go weeks and weeks without use. Just throwing that out there.

dbucks

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Re: GoldenEar Triton 2 (used) vs. Martin Logan Motion 40 (new)
« Reply #8 on: 17 Mar 2020, 06:45 pm »
Thank you for all the feedback everyone - appreciate your time.  A lot of good points to consider.  Looking forward to continuing the discussion including sending/receiving PMs once I move beyond the "Newbie" status. 

FullRangeMan

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Re: GoldenEar Triton 2 (used) vs. Martin Logan Motion 40 (new)
« Reply #9 on: 19 Mar 2020, 02:53 am »
Welcome  :thumb:

Jon L

Re: GoldenEar Triton 2 (used) vs. Martin Logan Motion 40 (new)
« Reply #10 on: 19 Mar 2020, 07:19 am »
I have Motion 40's in my HT and enjoy them.  I especially like how the white version looks and blend into the decor, and I don't like how GoldenEar speakers look.
I think Martin Logan has done a great job with these Motion series speakers in build and sound quality for the price.
However, if my budget was in that range for 2-channel music system, I would probably look for a used pair of Magnepans instead.  I've seen used 1.7i in that range before.

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