Quad 2912 vs Martin Logan ESL 11a

Franking, after auditioning the Quad 2812, I was quite taken by the speakers. I was ready to go with Quads. But reviews for ML masterpiece series are really positive. Decided to wait.

I do worry about QC issues with the newer Quads. I have read user reviews regarding the stability of the panels. I live in a part of the world where humidity is a real issue. I have been warned off electrostatics by friends. However, from what I have read, both brands recognize and acknowledge the humidity problem. And apparently both panels are less susceptible to humidity degradations. Still I have read problems....

@pvmike2 Thanks for that assessment. I have arranged an audition of the 11a this weekend. Looking forward to confirming that the integration of bass with electrostatic panel is not an issue. I will report back shortly.

I auditioned the ML 11a yesterday. The speakers were not optimized in their placement and the source was a smart phone streaming through Tidal, although with Anthem electronics. Given less than optimal conditions, and no more than 40 minutes of listening, I came away impressed. Listened to Heifetz's rendition of  Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, Miles' Kind of Blue, and Krall + Bennett. 

To My ears @josh358 , they were anything but bright although compared to the Quad 2812 I heard a month back, they were on the cool side. The sound was very coherent, bass and upper ranges were coming from one place.  The soundstage was not as wide as I had expected, as well something weird with imaging. I kind of put those down as not properly set up. The sense of ease with which the music flowed was very nice. I am leaning towards the ML. 

With the post by @hthaller  pointing out the issue of room size/configuration, it would be prudent to consider the fit of the two speakers with my room. I have a 3.2 x 9 M room. With the Quads at almost 70 cm wide, I'll be left with 1.8 M between the inner edges of the speakers if they were to be pushed to the edge of the room. While distance between the rear wall is more critical, I wonder if the Quads might not be  squeezed, hence poor soundstaging. With the smaller foot print of the ML's, perhaps it's a better fit. And after reading @hthaller 's post, I wonder if maybe ML 9a, the smaller brother of 11a, might not be an even better fit? Cheaper, too. 

I would arrange another Quad audition before a final decision.  May have more question for @hthaller if I were to go the ML route. But thank you for all your suggestions.

@pvmike, Thanks for sharing you speaker placement info.  I would have thought that 4' and 1.5' from side and rear walls respectively were too close, not enough space to breathe.  But if professionals set up the speakers in your room with those final placement dimensions, then maybe my room size is possible to accommodate the 11a's. I do expect a fair amount of work getting the speakers to sound good as @hthaller mentioned, even with the final ARC adjustments. 

@audiotroy, thanks for your comments, I kind of understand your thoughts on the Quads. The rolled off highs and bass response were noticeable, although I wouln't  call the bass 'wooly'. 

It would seem that there are more nods to ML than Quads. I am definitely doing a second Quad audition just to make sure I agree.

Thanks so far to all your comments!

@ mijostyn, I had done some research on Sound Lab.  Given my situation with lower power tube amps, unavailibily of  dealer support, and frankly, pricing that is out of my range, there is close to zero possibility of my owning a pair of Sound Lab speakers. I must confess a sense of envy when a recommendation for a pair of speaker would include, '.. You do not have to audition them..". They must be amazing! Alas, not for me.

Hi George, Thanks for the straight up recommendation. Monolith is one of the very early ML to come out. And  it seems that are many loyal fans of the speakers with active crossover and the possibility of bi-amping. 

One of my concerns is the maintenance of the Mylar panels. But it seems that committed users treat it precisely as a maintenance issue to be dealt with rather than a nuisance.

@georgehifi  Of the five points to 10+ years of maintenance-free ESL usage, I can fulfill all the requirements except one, dampness. With the rainy season  upon us in my part of the world, it's a constant 70%-80% humidity level. In fact it kind of hovers around that level pretty much three quarters of the year. Dehumidifiers are a must in the listening room. I need to reconcile seriously a dehumidifier blowing pretty much constantly in the room. 
Thank you for the maintenance advice.

I wonder also if my 40 watt Von Gaylord tube amp is adequate to drive the 11's. The 11's having powered woofers are less of an issue?

Hi George, No,  It's not that kind of dampness. Going by your suggestion, I should be alright then.

@pvmike The Sanders Technical White Paper on Tube vs Transistor , which you recommended, opens up a whole new can of worms. I understand Sander's argument. And it doesn't seem to bode well for my 40 watt tube amp driving ESL speakers. Need to do more research.

Thanks!

@mikedaniels Thanks for your response.

This is an old thread. The speakers I ended with is the Eminent Technology LFT-8b.

Electrostatic speakers would not have worked where I am with +90% humidity lingering weeks on end. There are a pair of audiophiles here in Taipei who are experts at stator replacements for Quads.