Marten Coltrane

[howiebrou]

Has anybody heard these? THey seemed to be demoed a lot with low power tube amps which makes me wonder how they would mesh with my Ongaku?

They look gorgeous to boot. Not sure what the RRP is though.

[jostber]

They had an article on these in the Norwegian hifi magazine Fidelity late last year. The essence of the article was that these speakers were the best they have ever heard, in addition there was an interview with the designer. Would love to hear these!

[Still-One]

Howie
Let me check my notes a bit later but if I remember correctly at RMAF two years ago (2010) one dealer showed the Coltrane's power by the Ongaku integrated. I was a very nice sounding set-up.

Jim

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by howiebrou

Has anybody heard these? THey seemed to be demoed a lot with low power tube amps which makes me wonder how they would mesh with my Ongaku?

They look gorgeous to boot. Not sure what the RRP is though.

Nothin' like puttin' your speakers in front of the stairs!

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Nothin' like puttin' your speakers in front of the stairs!

May be they're spiral acoustic treatments.

[TommyC]

Howie, have you considered Tidal or Kharma?

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by TommyC

Howie, have you considered Tidal or Kharma?

I have heard Kharma a few times and am not too convinced even though they used to use the same drivers as Marten. Cheaper by some margin though, The Kharma Midi Exquisite is US$35k here, a lot cheaper than the Coltrane at US$50k or the Coltrane II @ US$80k here.

The marten looks a lot better though

I have only heard the really huge Tidal speakers so couldn't comment on their normal sound.

Thanks

howie

[cmalak]

Howie...if in the course of your auditioning Marten speakers you get a chance to hear their new Django loudspeaker ($15K here in US), I would appreciate any listening impressions you have of the speaker. Thanks.

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Howie...if in the course of your auditioning Marten speakers you get a chance to hear their new Django loudspeaker ($15K here in US), I would appreciate any listening impressions you have of the speaker. Thanks.

Sure. They're not here yet.

I heard the Marten Coltrane IIs driven by a Kondo Overture integrated amp (their cheapest amp) with a paltry 32 watts of push pull EL34 I think.

Whoooeeeee. The amp had no trouble driving those Marten speakers to high levels. The diamond tweeter, which costs Marten about US$12k was very clear and the overall sound was one of clarity and cohesion. I was concerned at the nature of the ceramic woofers and mid range but there was no harshness.

Unfortunately I can buy two pairs of ktemas for a pair of Coltrane IIs. The Coltrane is a bit cheaper at US$50k.

Choices choices choices...

[cmalak]

So Howie are you looking to replace the Strads or is this for another system?