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Electrostatic Speakers

Hello Audiogon! Been around the forum scene for quite a while, and just joined this forum and thought I offer my thoughts on some equipment I just bought: speakers and the cables that came with it.

I couldn’t afford brand new speakers, and thought I’d try a different type speaker as opposed to my B&W 805 Diamond speakers. My dealer has loaned me Marten Logan Quest Z electrostatic speakers, as well as TARA Labs “The One” cables for this purpose. Right away I could hear a difference in sounds between the B&W and The ML. My B&W definitely have more punch to them, and the bass is quite remarkable. (this works great when I’m listening to my classic rock collection) What I found interesting was the way the ML speakers had a sound that seemed to encompass the whole room. Like a wall of sound (courtesy of Phil Spector) If you’ve never heard a good pair of electrostatic speakers, then I’d urge you to try and listen to some if you can. Really a whole new world out there. The cables that my dealer loaned me where TARA Labs. Though I’ve heard of them before, I haven’t really seen any advertising in any magazines showing off new models etc. I saw them in Stereophile Recommended components issues. I’ve always used Wireworld cables in my system before and do love them. I will say that I immediately heard a difference when I put the TARA Labs cables in my system. The high frequencies were insane to say the least. As a matter of fact, the Marten Logans with those cables really expanded when I put Dark side of the moon on (180gm vinyl) Anyone out there have any experience with electrostatic speakers?

-Brian J.
abcaudio

Showing 1 response by lacee

lacee
811 posts
 
I've been a stat fan since the late 70's when I heard the original Acoustat3 with the provided servo tube amps.
Later I bought the medallion 3 panel versions and used a CJ M75A-1 amp.
Sold them, moved on to cones, had several good pairs but whenever I listened to my pals with the tubed Acoustats I felt something was lacking with my speakers.
So back to panels, first with ML Sequel, then Quad 63, then two pairs of ML CLS 11z, then stacked Quad 57's.
I tried some Tannoy Ardens, Grand Veenas, and then I found a pair of the original Acoustat monitor 3 with the servo tube amps.
I got the amps modded and updated, braced up the cabinets and fed them with dedicated power and good gear upstream.

This is closer to the "dream" sound that I've been chasing.

But, I've done a lot of room treatment, and tweeks to get to where things are sounding good.

I would agree panels won't work for everyone.
I have friends who have been loyal to the same pair since the middle 70's and others who flit from cone speaker to cone speaker on a monthly basis.

I've been happy to be back in the stat fold for a few years now and ,though they aren't perfect, nothing else is either.

Try some good solid state amps with the ML's.
I found a pair of Classe DR 8 in mono worked very well.
Tube amps not so well.
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