Tower Speaker Reviews

Optimized Performance
To squeeze the ultimate performance out of the MartinLogan home theater setup, I utilized several products that are designed to transfer maximum information from source to speaker. On the front end, between the NAD T550 DVD player and Lexicon MC-1 processor, I dropped in the Nordost Silver Shadow, a reference-grade digital interconnect. Since the first interface is crucial in any sound system, whether two- or 5.1-channel, you can't afford to send compromised information to your DSP engines via a cable that limits performance parameters right out of the box. Based on its patented micromonofilament technology, the Silver Shadow is a flawless conduit for transferring broadband information without harshness or rolloff at frequency extremes. I couldn't live without the Silver Shadow, nor could I do accurate, fair reviews.

To maintain signal integrity between the ATI AT2505 and MartinLogan hybrid electrostatic array, I relied on Kimber Kable BiFocal-XL cable. A unique cable as thick as Polish sausage, the BiFocal-XL separates low-frequency and mid/treble frequencies through both proprietary wire-braiding techniques and damping protocols. The BiFocal-XLs were utilized throughout the three front channels, while Kimber Kable's 8TC cable delivered information to the surrounds.

Without getting into questionable issues like laser scatter, there's little doubt in my ears and eyes that a DVD or CD treated by Optrix (made by the Compact Dynamics Corporation) resolves information in a cleaner manner, from picture to sound. This combination of alcohol, water, and "optically active nonionic surfactants" (whatever that is) certainly works better than most cleaning solutions I've tried. All DVDs for this review were treated with Optrix.