Classical music, symphony AND planar speakers

That was one of the best sounds I have ever heard from a stereo system; and what started me on the HE audio trip.  Driven by ML 25W moons and Janis subs.  Remember it like it was yesterday.  Blew my mind.  First time I saw and heard Maggies, too.  I’m showing my age.  This was circa 1978.

Don’t know if you have heard the Maggies. Boxless (planar) bass is very different. IMO, far more tonally accurate and lithe; it isn’t dragging a box along. To some there isn’t enough oomph and weight. I disagree; especially for Classical. That is one of the reasons that the only M L’s that I have liked are the full range electrostatics. With the hybrids, I always hear the box woofer as being in a different tonal universe. If you’re looking for electrostatic transparency look at a good pair of Quads (used?). Just some thoughts that may be of some value. Good luck.

Search “naked Magneplanars”.  Lots of pics......lots of surface area,

Thank you for the very kind words, brownsfan; the feeling is mutual. Sounds like you found a winner in that bass reflex design. Congrats! 

FYI, when I was using my Maggies I was living in a very large loft-style apartment in which the Maggies had a great deal of breathing room. Scale wise, the sound was spectacular on orchestral recordings. Some of the best soundstaging I have ever experienced. The discontinuity between ribbon tweeter and midrange panel had been ameliorated a great deal due to extensive xover and wiring mods. In that large a space it was practically a nonissue. As unbelievable as it may sound, I measured reasonably flat response to 28hz! With In my current home, my listening space is much smaller and the Stax perform beautifully; although bass extension is lacking. A pair of REL subs are activated for orchestral music with reasonably good (not perfect) blend. The tonal purity of the Stax is fabulous; as is the sound staging, but on much smaller scale.
Regards and good listening.

Brownsfan, you’re right, while I do remember very pleasant exchanges with you, I don’t remember that specific recommendation (?).  If I suggested you take the Quad path I am not surprised at all.  love Quads.  Most tonal truthfulness that I (!) have experienced from a speaker......after my Stax.  While I can’t entirely disagree with your comments re Maggie’s and chamber music, I never experienced anything remotely as egregious as you describe.  Large enough room and placement, placement, placement a must.  Clearly not all speakers do everything well and we all prioritize different things.  For me, planars and tubes have the magic.  Regards.

Orchestral music not good with planars?! What planet does that person live on? The best rendering of a realistic orchestral soundstage “spread” and scale that I have ever achieved with the speakers that I have had in my system has been with planars. Scale wise, it was my modified Magneplanar MGIIIA. For even more tonal realism, albeit on a much smaller scale it is my Stax F81 electrostats. To my ears, no contest,  compared to all the more conventional speakers that I have owned.  All driven by tube monoblocs.