Marten Speakers

Yes, actually there is a lot of space to the side walls but no more space to place an additional sub. It would be blocking the walkway on both sides. The single S510 is currently disconnected from the system.

Some new pictures. The Marten Duke 2s are now completely different speakers after some equipment and cable upgrades and most importantly, new placement. Sometimes it is easy to find fault with something when the actual potential of the system is restricted by less-than-optimal set up. They now do bass, deep and substantial bass without any subwoofer. Everything just sounds better, and human voice reproduction finally matches or perhaps surpasses the quality of Harbeth speakers, something that I would not have imagined earlier.

Room and placement of speakers are key factors in getting a good result. Although standmounts are designed to be used in small rooms, the Duke 2s will excel if given more space, placed further apart from each other and away from side walls.

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Updates:
Marten Mingus Septet
EMM Labs DV2i
Gryphon Essence Mono
Albedo Metamorphosis Signature (Speakers cables and interconnects)

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Wow, what a wonderful system. I am sure, it sounds excellent. Enjoy!

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I switched from the Marten Duke 2s to Graham LS5/9s yesterday. The last time I listened to the Graham was about two years ago.

Long story short. The Graham is as good as it gets but it’s not in the same league as the Marten. Long version, it’s overall less refined, bass less defined and doesn’t go as deep, less expansive and 3-dimensional, less tube-like in the treble. The tone and timbre of instruments are slightly different between the two speakers.

The Graham used to sound splendid with the Naim and it’s now driven by a Gryphon. Perhaps the Graham will sound better with the Naim I’m not sure but I can’t switch to the Naim at the moment due to the rack arrangement.

The Marten Duke 2s remain as my reference. They are truly great sounding speakers.

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Just to reiterate, in no way the Graham LS5/9 sounds bad. It still sounds great but when compared to the Marten Duke 2s the difference in quality between the speakers is easily distinguished.

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After about a week with the Grahams, I switched to the Martens and spent 3 days listening to the speakers. I have come to a conclusion that this is the sound that I want. It’s a higher quality sound reproduction with the Marten.

It is unlikely I’ll replace the Duke 2s as they are the best speakers I’ve owned so far. If I ever wanted a change or upgrade in the future, it will likely be another Marten, either the Parker Duo or upcoming model that is not released yet. If any Duke 2 owners have listened or upgraded to the Parker Duo, I would appreciate your thoughts. Someone here has upgraded from the Duke 2s to Parker Duo Diamond but more experiences would be useful.

FWIW I could compare both speakers at the dealers but would not be doing that anytime too soon. I’m just curious about the difference in sound quality between the Duke 2 and Parker Duo (Ceramic or Diamond).

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Had the chance to listen to this giant pair while picking up my cables from the dealer

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That thing probably costs more than my house. :joy: Anyway the Nordost top-of-the-range cables lying on the floor probably cost more than my whole system.

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The cable cost more than the speakers :joy:

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:scream: I didn’t expect that. Interesting.

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love of my life. (someday) :rofl:

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Update. After several months with the Gryphon I recently switched to the Luxman 590AXII to reassess my thoughts about these amps. The comparison was a little ‘unfair’ as the 590AXII was used with inferior cables (interconnects, speaker cables and mains power cables) while the Gryphon gets all the quality stuff. Nevertheless, the differences are more or less aligned with my earlier impressions. The Luxman has reduced bass punch and presence and sounds less holographic or 3-dimensional. The overall sound of the 590AXII is slightly hollow and light in comparison. The Gryphon sounds larger, more 3-dimensional and dynamic with notes sounding more dense. It’s an overall more ‘complete’ and satisfying listening experience with the Gryphon.

If I did not compare the Luxman to the Gryphon, I might still be able to live with the 590AXII as it sounds noticeably better than the other amps which I own, the Naim 282/250Dr and Sonneteer Orton. However, after comparing the Luxman with something that is better, it is now relegated to the display rack.

I have spent 2 days with the 590AXII and will switch to the Gryphon by this weekend. So far the results have been consistent with the Gryphon pulling ahead. I may attempt to switch to the Sonneteer Orton someday and would expect it to sound noticeably worse than both Gryphon and Luxman.

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The Martin Duke 2’s are on my radar as I’d like to try some quality compact standmounts.
Any view on how they’d sound with the Marantz PM10 amp ?

Sorry, I do not have experience with Marantz PM10.

My two very late cents. Twenty years ago I owned Marten Miles II with a Bow Technologies Wazoo XL integrated. I had a chance to buy 202/200/NAPSC/NAC A5 from the same dealer at a good price and the monkey sat back on my shoulder. I traded the Wazoo in. In all honesty, Naims into the Martens were no compare to the finesse, delicacy, transparency of the Wazoo. Naim and Marten are too different worlds. One is four experienced and mature players having great fun in a pub, the other is a quartet in the Mozarteum. I discourage mixing the two.
My opinion only.

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I think just a poor pairing choice on the Naim line up side for this Marten model, that’s all (appreciate you decided based on a good deal).

But I kept the Naim and sold the Martens :slightly_smiling_face:. Who knows if it’s been the right choice.

Of course, it’s the right choice. It’s always the right choice!: )

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