Alsyvox vs. Clarisys - What are the Sonic Differences? Anyone Understand Design Differences?

[Ron Resnick]

Sorry for going of topic in regards to Alsyvox vs Clarisys but when talking about speakers at this pricepoint and size/weight. Why does no one factor in the Neoliths? They have been around for a while and can be found at the 2nd hand market. Are they not in the same league?

I enjoyed Martin-Logan hybrid speakers for 24 years continuously (Monolith, then Monolith III and then Prodigy for 18 years). So naturally I was very excited about the Neolith when it came out.

I think the Neolith is a total success sonically within the limits of its topology and design and size for audiophiles who value transparency and open soundstage above all else, and who are willing to sacrifice a bit of coherency.* Circa 2016 it was my second favorite planar dipole loudspeaker. I wrote about it on WBF. I still like the Neolith today.

Ultimately I felt that compared to electrostatic drivers ribbon drivers offer slightly greater corporeal body and realism with little to no sacrifice in transparency. This is the main reason I moved away from electrostatic loudspeakers to ribbon loudspeakers.

To the present day I would prefer the Neolith myself personally (using only very high power tube amplifiers) over many similarly priced and more expensively priced box speakers.

--------------

*I used to virtually beg Peter Soderberg of Martin-Logan to reformat the components of the Neolith into a large, four tower Statement E3: 12 inch Neolith midbass driver on the top and on the bottom of the Neolith electrostatic panel, and a separate woofer tower containing four of the 15 inch Neolith woofers.

 

[Lagonda]

I enjoyed Martin-Logan hybrid speakers for 24 years continuously (Monolith, then Monolith III and then Prodigy for 18 years). So naturally I was very excited about the Neolith when it came out.

I think the Neolith is a total success sonically within the limits of its topology and design and size for audiophiles who value transparency and open soundstage above all else, and who are willing to sacrifice a bit of coherency.* Circa 2016 it was my second favorite planar dipole loudspeaker. I wrote about it on WBF. I still like the Neolith today.

Ultimately I felt that compared to electrostatic drivers ribbon drivers offer slightly greater corporeal body and realism with little to no sacrifice in transparency. This is the main reason I moved away from electrostatic loudspeakers to ribbon loudspeakers.

To the present day I would prefer the Neolith myself personally (using only very high power tube amplifiers) over many similarly priced and more expensively priced box speakers.

--------------

*I used to virtually beg Peter Soderberg of Martin-Logan to reformat the components of the Neolith into a large, four tower Statement E3: 12 inch Neolith midbass driver on the top and on the bottom of the Neolith electrostatic panel, and a separate woofer tower containing four of the 15 inch Neolith woofers.

I think the Statements where just to expensive to make, hard to make money on, maybe with todays prices at around $500 K. I found the Neolith somewhat unimpressive, not a top of the line speaker in more than a financial sense, Martin Logan is a different company now, selling a lot of lower priced cone speakers. Not quite the aspirational attitude they had when Gayle Sanders ran the company.

 

[Audiohertz2]

The Neolith is very complex to setup and get all the different stages right ..

IMO , It is very competitive when done correctly ..!

 

[The Knife]

I enjoyed Martin-Logan hybrid speakers for 24 years continuously (Monolith, then Monolith III and then Prodigy for 18 years). So naturally I was very excited about the Neolith when it came out.

I think the Neolith is a total success sonically within the limits of its topology and design and size for audiophiles who value transparency and open soundstage above all else, and who are willing to sacrifice a bit of coherency.* Circa 2016 it was my second favorite planar dipole loudspeaker. I wrote about it on WBF. I still like the Neolith today.

Ultimately I felt that compared to electrostatic drivers ribbon drivers offer slightly greater corporeal body and realism with little to no sacrifice in transparency. This is the main reason I moved away from electrostatic loudspeakers to ribbon loudspeakers.

To the present day I would prefer the Neolith myself personally (using only very high power tube amplifiers) over many similarly priced and more expensively priced box speakers.

--------------

*I used to virtually beg Peter Soderberg of Martin-Logan to reformat the components of the Neolith into a large, four tower Statement E3: 12 inch Neolith midbass driver on the top and on the bottom of the Neolith electrostatic panel, and a separate woofer tower containing four of the 15 inch Neolith woofers.

Thank you for a very comprehensive answer Ron. And encouraging to hear that the Neoliths hold their ground in their own right. Sorry again for using this thread for talking Martin Logan, but I have been a fan for almost 10 years now. Looking to upgrade eventually and I really like the sound signature of the electrostats, and also the design I must admit. There is something special with that true see through plasma film. Having said that I also have considered the Tintoretto's and was very very close to purchasing a pair (at a good price) couple of months back. The Alsyvox also produces a fantastic sound IMHO. A bit more energetic than the electrostats from ML. But I really also want to listen to the brand that you represent Ron.

 

[The Knife]

I think the Statements where just to expensive to make, hard to make money on, maybe with todays prices at around $500 K. I found the Neolith somewhat unimpressive, not a top of the line speaker in more than a financial sense, Martin Logan is a different company now, selling a lot of lower priced cone speakers. Not quite the aspirational attitude they had when Gayle Sanders ran the company.

Sorry to hear that, but it is as you say. ML seem to target the mass market more and more. I wonder if they have any plans to soon upgrade and perfect the ESL line. I am kind of waiting for that to happen to evaluate if there is something good from ML coming our way.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Thank you for a very comprehensive answer Ron. And encouraging to hear that the Neoliths hold their ground in their own right. Sorry again for using this thread for talking Martin Logan, but I have been a fan for almost 10 years now. Looking to upgrade eventually and I really like the sound signature of the electrostats, and also the design I must admit. There is something special with that true see through plasma film. Having said that I also have considered the Tintoretto's and was very very close to purchasing a pair (at a good price) couple of months back. The Alsyvox also produces a fantastic sound IMHO. A bit more energetic than the electrostats from ML. But I really also want to listen to the brand that you represent Ron.

Because I hear ribbon drivers as offering slightly greater corporeal body and realism with little to no sacrifice in transparency versus electrostatics, I prefer both Alsyvox and Clarisys to the Neolith.

 

[Lukasz "Lampizator" Fikus]

My own Auditoriums just arrived. After hearing Atriums for 30 hours non stop - i am pretty well seasoned and warmed up

 

[Zappadaddy]

My own Auditoriums just arrived. After hearing Atriums for 30 hours non stop - i am pretty well seasoned and warmed up

gratualations, incredible speakers

 

[Golum]

My own Auditoriums just arrived. After hearing Atriums for 30 hours nonstop - i am pretty well seasoned and warmed up

I think you've been warmed up a long time ago, now the seasoning with Atriums was added . They are going to the new factory new demo room?

 

[morricab]

I enjoyed Martin-Logan hybrid speakers for 24 years continuously (Monolith, then Monolith III and then Prodigy for 18 years). So naturally I was very excited about the Neolith when it came out.

I think the Neolith is a total success sonically within the limits of its topology and design and size for audiophiles who value transparency and open soundstage above all else, and who are willing to sacrifice a bit of coherency.* Circa 2016 it was my second favorite planar dipole loudspeaker. I wrote about it on WBF. I still like the Neolith today.

Ultimately I felt that compared to electrostatic drivers ribbon drivers offer slightly greater corporeal body and realism with little to no sacrifice in transparency. This is the main reason I moved away from electrostatic loudspeakers to ribbon loudspeakers.

To the present day I would prefer the Neolith myself personally (using only very high power tube amplifiers) over many similarly priced and more expensively priced box speakers.

--------------

*I used to virtually beg Peter Soderberg of Martin-Logan to reformat the components of the Neolith into a large, four tower Statement E3: 12 inch Neolith midbass driver on the top and on the bottom of the Neolith electrostatic panel, and a separate woofer tower containing four of the 15 inch Neolith woofers.

The old STAX electrostatic speakers were WAY more transparent than ML speakers and ribbons. They were limited in dynamics, like most electrostats and that was their Achilles heel. But the transparency was like nothing else I have heard.

 

[christoph]

My own Auditoriums just arrived. After hearing Atriums for 30 hours non stop - i am pretty well seasoned and warmed up

The Atriums (in fact the whole system/room) were absolutely mind blowing and reset some bars for me

The last time I was that shocked was when I heard the Living Voice Vox Olympian

I'm REALLY curious how close your Auditoriums come to the Atriums

 

[morricab]

The Atriums (in fact the whole system/room) were absolutely mind blowing and reset some bars for me

The last time I was that shocked was when I heard the Living Voice Vox Olympian

I'm REALLY curious how close your Auditoriums come to the Atriums

Will this system be in Regensdorf this coming weekend?

 

[Golum]

Will this system be in Regensdorf this coming weekend?

Will be there in the biggest room with full electronics shebang Flo has available

 

[morricab]

Will be there in the biggest room with full electronics shebang Flo has available

Will you be coming around to the show as well?

 

[Golum]

Unfortunately, don't think so :-(

 

[Audiohertz2]

The Atriums (in fact the whole system/room) were absolutely mind blowing and reset some bars for me

The last time I was that shocked was when I heard the Living Voice Vox Olympian

I'm REALLY curious how close your Auditoriums come to the Atriums

So you heard the room in Warsaw ..? Wow nice ...

 

[LL21]

The Atriums (in fact the whole system/room) were absolutely mind blowing and reset some bars for me

The last time I was that shocked was when I heard the Living Voice Vox Olympian

I'm REALLY curious how close your Auditoriums come to the Atriums

Fascinating feedback. I was impressed by the little in the video I could hear. But its just a video. Look forward to hearing more if you have time...

What in particularly blew you away? Particularly putting it in the same description as a Living Voice Vox Olympian is really saying something!

(BTW, how much are they?)

 

[adyc]

Fascinating feedback. I was impressed by the little in the video I could hear. But its just a video. Look forward to hearing more if you have time...

What in particularly blew you away? Particularly putting it in the same description as a Living Voice Vox Olympian is really saying something!

(BTW, how much are they?)

$785k

https://www.hifipig.com/audio-video-show-warsaw-2024-report-part-1-the-golden-tulip/

 

[Rob181]

$785k

https://www.hifipig.com/audio-video-show-warsaw-2024-report-part-1-the-golden-tulip/I’m

Your link does not work - this one does though...

https://www.hifipig.com/audio-video-show-warsaw-2024-report-part-1-the-golden-tulip

 

[adyc]

Your link does not work - this one does though...

https://www.hifipig.com/audio-video-show-warsaw-2024-report-part-1-the-golden-tulip

Thanks. I correct the link in the post.