ElectrostatsPlaner/Ribbon s Vs Cone driv

"...I am trying to determine if there is a smallish planer design..."--don't know about you, but in my book the Maggie 1.6 is not "smallish". More, "tallish" and "thinnish". To find smaller speakers with planar drivers may be a bit of a trick. Small panels don't make much sound--they can't move as much air. Although, the Red Rose monitor was ok at CES--but it didn't have the holographic/planar mids you may want. (It only has a ribbon tweeter--only about an inch square). I've happily listened to Apogee hybrids for many years and in particular have enjoyed their lifesize soundstage and mids-to-highs performace. The Apogee is not as big from the front as the Maggie. What it makes up for by being smaller than the Maggie, it more than gives back in the ugly department! Anywho, smaller speakers probably won't satisfy your low-end desires. (Nothing prurient implied!) But Apogees on their own don't have much for bass. So--maybe mate the Apogees with the REL. That's a combo I think may be to your liking...

Jim, I made the same switch from Apogees to MLogans! I wish I had the room (and $) to go for the CLS/SW800 combo you have--man, am I one jealous cat! I heard your combo in the early 90's at a HiFi show, and it was fantastic. Now I run SL3s and like them for what they do--they are different from the Apogees. I used to run Centaurs. The bass is one area of big difference from one speaker to another. The Centaur has rich bass, while the SL3 is tight yet deeper. Kinda odd description, I know. In response to the original thread, the Centaur probably would be fine for all music on it's own. But since the thread says he already has a REL, I think he'd end up with a potent system. Jim--did you ever try to mate your Centaurs or Stages with a sub?

BTW, Jim, why did you switch from Apogee to ML? Curious.

Good question, Comchenry. Apogee is out of busines. However, their products have a good life-span in my experience. Plus, being out of business, their products are underpriced in the used market. If you do need repairs, there are two people making and repairing ribbons. One of these people is an ex-Apogee employee. Find info on the speakers and repairs at: http://www.apogeespeakers.totalserve.co.uk/ and http://audioworld.com/cgibin/sw/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&number=1. Between these sites, Comchenry, you will find lots on Apogees.

Apogees really are something special. And for the price they go for now, they are a bargain. Centaurs run about $400-500 commonly, and stages often less than a grand. These are great values! Having said all this, no one speaker is everything to everyone. But for the price, you can great one helluva speaker.

Comchenry, you ask about the differences between Apogees and Maggies. That's a comparison best made by you. There are differences, and even though I own Apogees, there are things I prefer about Maggies. This hobby of ours really boils down to what floats your boat. It would be great if you could find someone with Apogees local to you so you could listen. Generally, the people I have talked to prefer the sound of one over the other within a short time. But always, the listener can at least appreciate what the design they do not prefer can do well. Kinda like my MLogans; there are times when I almost admire them for their detail retreival. But, at the same time, they are not as involving as my Apogees. Weird. That's the way it goes.

Anywho, for $2k you have lotsa choices. I recently chose the SL3s for that same price. Ultimately I changed to electrostatics because I have listened to ribbons for awhile and wanted to try something new. We are obsessive, aren't we?

Jim, I appreciate the offer. You own a terrific system, and what a pedigree! Regarding Comchenry's dynamics question, I don't know which speaker would be best. My gut tells me that the dynamic drivers may have the edge. Certainly in terms of loudness, the Centaurs hit a max lower than the MLogans. Perhaps a Maggie owner of 1.6s coiuld chime in to compare volume and dynamics???