Are You Addicted to Audio?

Hello! I have a dedicated 2 channel system with Aerial 10t's. I listened to MANY speakers for a long while before I made my choice. There was nothing under $20,000 that I felt could touch 10t's sound and presentation. These speakers work best with a good quality frontend. The better the upstream components, interconnects and cables are, the better the 10t's will sound. Good Luck! Paul

Have had the original Sequels for years (bought new within 1 year of their original release) and have been very happy with them. However, my bias for electrostatics got stood on its (my?) ear(s) when I recently heard the Revel Salons auditioned against one of Martin Logan's bigger current models. In fairness, the Revels were a good bit more expensive, but, for the first time, I thought that the detail and speed of a good electrostatic could be enjoyed with the punch of a non-planar design. Not enough space for the Salons in my current listening room, but I'd buy them IN A HURRY for a bigger area.

AS long as there are cones moving and tweeters hissing you will not get the noisefree transparency of a true electrostat - check out the new Quads full range or the Soundlab design not the hybrids - even the ML CLSz is clearer with less distortion than a Revel.

Have you heard, tried, thought about the Wisdom Audio speakers? They will play as loud as you want with the transparency of an electrostat.

LJGJ, haven't heard the Quads or Soundlab, but have lived with MLs for about 10 years and heard much of their product line--admittedly not the 75k flagship, but most, if not all, of the rest, and I've got to disagree with you when you line them up against the Salons. I understand, don't dispute, and, for most of my period of interest in audio, have embraced, the arguments for planars generally and electrostatics specifically, but, to my ears, the Salons are a special product that warrants special recognition. Anyhow, thats what makes horse races.

HI. I have gone through the same situation regarding the Martin logans. Do yourself a favor and audition a pair of Hales Transcendance 5 speakers. They are incredible. Placed porperly, close your eyes and you will feel the music all around you. You will need power though. Good luck.

I haven't heard any myself, but Martin Logan's new company Red Rose Music makes ribbon hybrid speakers that might well be worth a shot.

If you have $ and space Dunlavy V would fit your bill. With equal quality front end, cables and of course able amp (300 w per channel or greater), Speakers make the music come alive with full life-like impact. I have found out that cables/interconnects make or break (relatively speaking) any systems

Avantgarde is just getting known in America. I have the UNO in the bedroom for TV and hear detail sounds from DVD I've not heard before. The TRIOS are in the main system and give the "you are there" presentation you wish along with body that I've never experienced in electostats. Efficiency is over 100 so quality power is more imporatant that brute force. These completely eclipse a long list of prior speakers. Happy hunting. Chuck

You could try the InnerSound Eros Electrostatic Hybrids. These are more efficient than the ML speakers and will play much louder with better dynamic capability than many dynamic cone speakers--yet with the transparency and delicacy of the best electrostatics. Happy Listening!

if you do end up checking out the hales (t-5 or t/8) and/or the dunlevy's, you should really also check out jm lab's mezzo utopias. they've warmth and richness coupled with articulate detial and great imaging. good luck.