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The sound of the Convergent Audio SL-1 is very good indeed (as it should be at $3495)—good enough that it can probably be best reviewed by comparing it to its top competition. The Audio Research SP-10/II and SP-11 are obvious standards of reference in tube design, and the original and revised Motif MC-7 are good transistor standards of comparison.

Bass: The Audio Research SP-11 has a notably different sound character [to the Convergent Audio SL-1]. While the revised Motif MC-7 is perhaps a bit too rich and…

Specifications: Hybrid solid-state/tube preamplifier with separate power supply. Inputs: Phono (high-gain MM), Tuner, CD, Video (sound only), Tape 1, Tape 2. Outputs: Tape 1, Tape 2, Main 1, Main 2, Invert, Direct. Controls: Gain, Level, Balance, Mode (Mono, Reverse, Stereo, Left, Right), Input (All but tape), Impedance (cartridge loading), Tape Monitor, Copy switch, Copy mode (1-2, 2-1), Manual Mute, Polarity (Invert/Normal), Bypass, Subsonic Filter. Frequency response: High level 1Hz-100kHz, ±0.5dB, -3dB at 0.2Hz and 250kHz. RIAA accuracy: 20Hz-40kHz ±0.2dB.…

The short life of Leon "Bix" Beiderbecke is the second most enigmatic and revelatory American musical tragedy after that of bluesman Robert Johnson. One corner of the considerable and ever-expanding…

The floorstanding Forest loudspeaker ($3495/pair in black ash or mahogany) from Canadian manufacturer Totem Acoustic5 has been highly recommended by Stereophile since it was first reviewed by Larry Greenhill in April 2001. My comments on the Forest were published in September 2005, and as a result of LG's and my experiences of the speaker, it was consistently recommended in Class B (Full-Range) of the magazine's biannual "Recommended Components" feature. I also mentioned the Forest in my October 2006 "As We See It"…

Unable to do any listening, I continued with the measurements, using the other sample of the pair (SN PM4003). I performed my usual quasi-anechoic measurements using DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone. I used my vintage Audio Precision System One for the impedance testing; the magnitude and electrical phase are shown in fig.1.

Fig.1 Totem Acoustic Forest, 2009 sample, electrical impedance (solid) and phase (dashed). (2 ohms/vertical div.)

The traces in this graph are identical to those in the graphs for the 2001 and 2005…

Instead of a electrostatic driver, the Montage mates a pair of aluminum-cone electrodynamic drivers with a magnetically driven planar tweeter. The latter, which MartinLogan…

Description: Two-way, reflex-loaded, floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1.5" by 2.25" dipole film (ATF) tweeter, two 6.5" aluminum-cone woofers. Crossover frequency: 2.5kHz. Frequency response: 47Hz–20kHz, ±3dB. Impedance: 5 ohms. Sensitivity: 90dB/2.83V/m. Maximum amplification: 150W RMS. Flat metal pad and spiked feet provided.
Dimensions: 38" (975mm) H by 9.4" (242mm) W by 11.7" (300mm) D. Weight: 30 lbs (13.6kg).
Finishes: Native cherry and black.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: MTPF 0084, MTPF 0085.
Price: $1495/pair. Approximate number…

Digital sources: Sony XA-777ES SACD/CD player, McCormack UDP-1 universal player.
Preamplification: Theta Gen.VIII DAC.
Power amplifiers: McCormack DNA-1 (Rev.A), Bel Canto eVo6; Sonic Frontiers Power-3, Classé Omicron monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Revel Ultima Studio, Paradigm Reference Studio/60 v.3.
Cables: Digital: Stereovox HDVX. Interconnect (all balanced): AudioQuest Cheetah, JPS Super-Conductor 2. Speaker: AudioQuest Granite. AC: JPS Aluminata.— Kalman Rubinson

The MartinLogan Montage is of just-above-average voltage sensitivity, as an estimated 88.2dB(B)/2.83V/m, which is below the specified 90dB figure. Its impedance plot (fig.1) also indicates that it approaches a 4 ohm load in the midrange and rarely goes above 8 ohms in the treble. The speaker will work best with amplifiers and receivers rated to drive a 4 ohm load.

Kal's primary criticism of the Montage concerned its lack of bass definition at high volumes, which he associated with the cabinet behavior: "If I turned up the volume . . . the port volume…

Kalman Rubinson was quite taken last month with MartinLogan's affordably priced ($1495/pair) Montage loudspeaker. The floorstanding Montages produced a spacious-sounding, well-defined stereo image, he found, along with a seamless transition between its short ribbon tweeter and the pair of reflex-loaded, metal-cone woofers, and a surprisingly extended bass. However, he was bothered by a lack of low-frequency dynamic range and an upper bass that began to sound gruff when the speaker was handling high levels of complex music…