'planar' vs. 'boxes'

Having spent 5+ years with Apogee ribbons, I have become intimate with their sound. When I listen to dynamic drivers--even extremely good ones like Wilson or Thiel--I feel a bit let down. Not let down by the dynamics of the sound--admittedly these are far more dynamic than most planars, instead, I am let down by the midrange. It doesn't matter what kind of music you listen to, they all have their foundation in the midrange. No type of speaker, in general, beats a planar. Trust your ears. See what other speakers are missing!

I've had some experience with both dynamic and planar speakers (Vandersteens 2CE, Alons II vs Quad ESL and my recently purchased Maggie 3.6) I tell folks that once you have listened to planars, it is difficult to go back to boxes, no matter how good or how expensive. The music is 90% midrange and planars tend to do midrange better in my opinion. I agree with the other writers that planars are difficult to set up and can be difficult to drive. The bass tends to be of a different quality that I find pleasing, tighter and less boomy with good pitch definition. Treble seems more musical with the absence of tizz found in many dome tweeters. My main objection to planars is simply that they can visually dominate your listening area (my only reason for selling my Quads). In short, I highly recommend that you listen to a variety of speakers in your price range. I bought my Maggies because they were the only speakers that never failed to make me smile. Thanks, Rich M. at mitch44@mvp.net

been a dealer for over 40years. used everything. did beveridge electrostatics, sound labs (all very expensive) the best of the lot is eminent technology for planar sound at a price. try the $500 mini panel subwoofer advertised in computer magazines. it's a true push pull planar, better by far then the maggies. they have a larger system for $1700 and a smaller better system on the way for $3800. www.eminent-tech.com. Find a dealer near you and audition. i'm in n.j. and have had them for over 15 years. there hot. haven't heard a dynamic speaker even close at the price. Lee Landes

I also have a pair of Eminent Technology speakers, the LFT IVs, and must say that I love them and consider them a great value ( I bought mine used from Audio Classics ). I was turned onto them when I did a video projector setup for a reviewer for The Perfect Vision, Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, and Widescreen Review. He had a pair of LFT VIIIs, and that night after the 3 hour drive home, I found a used pair of VIs and ordered them. Here is a review link to someone who uses TWO PAIRS of the LFT VIIIs in tandem, and calls the combination " a poor man's (Infinity) IRS V". The link is: www.eminent-tech.com/stacked8review.html. Very interesting, and something that I never would have thought of.

I have listen to electrostatics my favorite planar type, and the ribbons, to my ears the electrostatics (Martin Logans) sound the more real. In practical use, unless you have a tremendous budget on amplification to apply a Krell made crossover and some real hefty amplification let's say Classé, Krell, Mark Levinson, etc, the ML won't sound their best. There are extremely detailed and very well designed speakers in the market, I own a pair of NHT 3.3 highly recommended, also the 2.9's but also listen to Dunlavy and Von Scweikert VR series of speakers they are also quite good. Sound quality/price ratio the NHT 2.9 are very and I mean very hard to beat. I love planars, but I think music is better served by being played thrugh well designed dynamic speakers. If I had unlimited budget I would have 2 complete systems and I would own a set of Martin Logans CLS's or Sequel's or Re-Quests' but it will be on my second system, My flagship system will conyinue to delight me with NHT's or perhaps Dunlavy's maybe even Wilson Watt-Puppy combo. Go listen for yourself, don't let anybody sell you something. listen with your heart you'll end up living a few years of your life with these speakers. make your choice a clear one. Best of lucks Gonzalo