Final-Audio New Series electrostatics

I have had the Final M12s for about 6 months and love them. They are every bit the "near full range electrostats", meaning transparency, coherency, speed, detail, and sounds great at all volume levels as my old but still working great Acoustat Spectra 22s. They also sound better off-axis so I don't feel the "head in a vice" issue (but maybe its my high frequency hearing reduction, now that I am older!) Thus far I believe that Final Audio is the high value electrostat company that Acoustats were in their day. It took a long time for the M12s to fully break in. Currently paired with SVS 2000 pro subwoofer for low bass. I also have smallish Martin Logan hybrids (Source is the model name) that I like very much in my bedroom system. I am considering the M35s since my listening room is large enough; the M12s do a great job filling the near field space.

I am very interested in Final and Potpori.   I currently have been running XStatic full-range electrostats for 30 years and am a total flat-panel dipole fan.   Last year, I updated my old Velodyne subs to Rhythmic and found that to be a superb match.  At one time I toyed with the idea of going to the ML Renaissance 15A, but after comparing them side by side, I elected to stick with my XStatics.

I heard the Potpori at the Florida Audio Fest last spring and was quite impressed.  I've not heard the Final.

I'd be keen to hear form anyone who has heard them compared to the ML.

I too am big fan of Final Audio.  I have the M12+’s.  I received them a few weeks ago and now they have ~150 hours on them and they sound in a word, TERRIFIC !  I have a modest listening space (10ft X 12ft) with the rear (behind my listening position) open into the kitchen area.  I was impressed at first with the bass as they go to 48hz however sound robust right down to that area.  They have opened up nicely in the ~150 hours and the mid-range and treble sound very transparent and fast.  I have to agree with accousticrat34 with his assessment of these speakers.  I also agree that the take a good while to break in.  The distributor says ~350 hours for full break in.  I’m less than 1/2 way there and I can’t think they’s sound any better than they do now.  I have mine paired with an SVS Micro3000 subwoofer which I crossover at 50hz with a 24db/octave slope and -15db volume and it meshes very well with the M12+’s.  For most of my listening I really don’t need a subwoofer to fully enjoy the music.  

Another thing that has impressed me is the subtle nuances in the music that I hadn’t heard prior.  I keep saying, "well I hadn’t heard that before" !  Like for instance instrument decay lasting longer than I’ve ever heard it on my other speakers.  This was one of the best stereo equipment purchases I have made in nearly my whole life in "Audiophileville" (50+ years)  If you have a small to normal size listening room, I believe the Model 12+’s would be just fine !  No need to go to the M15+’s or above, and I’d stick to the single panel ones as I don’t believe you’d need the models with the subwoofer unless you just want them integrated as a package.  One more important thing...  Ravi Velnati, the U.S distributor for Final Audio is a great representative of this product line.  If you’re contemplating the purchase of one of their fine speakers, you should give him a call.  

I was very curious about these speakers as I really liked their footprint. I have a bit of a narrow room and working with Ravi, who provided great support throughout the process, I was able to get a Model 5 without the bass speaker, which I did not need as I use an active crossover with my distributed bass array. Unfortunately I was not able to really appreciate the speakers as one of them was damaged coming over from the Netherlands and had a constant buzz. From what I could hear though, given the cost, these are high value speakers. 

Since then I was able to get my direct drive set-up working again. This is a pair of panels with the same footprint as the M5, powered by a direct drive amplifier so there is no step up transformer between the amp and speaker. The amplifier puts 5,000 volts directly on the panel. The system was designed by Roger Modjeski and only a handful if that were sold. I own his personal system.

The thing about Final is that they also can be powered by direct drive amplification. Twinstatic Audio in the Netherlands can build such an amplifier to be used with Final, which is an option I was looking into. Eliminating the transformer really enhances the sound and lets you realize what your speakers can really do. 

Long ago, I owned the Final 0.4’s.   My Carver Research Lightstar Reference amp drove them beautifully.   Powered subs filled in the LF.    The customer service was phenomenal.  During a move, a panel was damaged.  The U.S. distributor quickly sent me a matched pair of replacements. Kudos to Final Audio for their continuing R&D.