Have you owned Sound Labs Electrostatics?

I own Soundlabs, click on my “system” to see the Ultimate Ones in my room and an old image of the A-1.

The biggest problem with Soundlab, the distortion is so low that even at 100 DB they sound like a whisper. I frequently clip my 250 watt amps before thinking they are loud.

It’s even worse when an inexperienced visitor listens. I had one argue with me while playing his favorite compact disc. Having asked me to increase the volume three times, I told him we were listening at maximum power for the amp and louder than the artist could sing at our listening distance.

“No way,” says he “Were at a maximum of 75 DB and no more.“

I tell him based on my experience we are over 90 DB. So, after some discussion , my sound pressure meter shows over 100 DB peaks at 12 feet .

The visitor would not believe the meter, saying it was defective. Just goes to show how ULTRA low distortion can fool the ear. If you live anywhere near me, you are welcome to listen. Like Duke, I can order from the Soundlab factory.

Lrsky, Yes the bridged Classe CA-201 will drive Soundlabs with ease. Like others here I prefer tubes but the Classe is a good amp and with proper set up of the speakers you would have excellent sound.

Lrsky, Soundlab has had some maintenance problems over the last few years. There was an issue with some defective insulation, bad bias controls and even failing of the high voltage supplies. Soundlab seemed to be “snake bitten” for awhile and my personal pair met several failures.

I complained about my recurring problems and Soundlab ask me for my serial number. A few days later a new pair of speakers were flown in via Delta airfreight and were screened with my old number. Only requirement was to put my old speakers in the crate and return them to the factory.

My speakers were out of warranty, yet Soundlab went the extra mile so I would not be disappointed. I have NEVER in all my years of audio, dealt with an audio company of such integrity. This is clearly above and beyond all requirements.

Better still, whatever issues they once had appear to have been resolved. Since the replacement I have had no problems and the new pair performs better than any Soundlabs I have ever heard. They have obviously found whatever issues there were and dealt with them by upgrading.

As for the comments of Calanctus. I cannot disagree. Soundlabs are not a point source, so rather than “head in a vice” imaging, they sound more like a live presentation. If you attend a concert and stand, move a chair or two, or even a couple of rows over, the sound stays pretty much the same. Big Soundlabs (particularly the M-1, A-1 and U-1) show this trait. Not to say the image is exactly the same in all parts of a listening room in a home, but the sound is surprisingly good in all parts of the room and even several rooms away in another part of the house.

This may sound odd, I call it the bathroom effect :^). Visitors who use our rest room which is through two doors and 50 feet away from the speakers, often remark that the piano (vocalist or whatever) sounds like a live performance from a distance.

This is an odd point to bring up but all who own Soundlabs will smile and understand exactly what I am describing.

To achieve this, the larger models drive almost two square yards of material, using an ultra quick high voltage supply. The bandwidth is near 24 HZ in the bass to above 45 KHZ in the highs, all with near perfect phase integrity.

Certainly there are speakers that play louder, but I can think of none that do more things correctly in the reproduction of music. In the end, if a speaker allows you to set aside your disbelief, and believe that what you are hearing is real, you have achieved your goal.

Soundlab does this better than anything I have heard. You should at least listen to a properly set up pair before making your final decision.