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Sound Lab M-1 as L/R Mains in 2 Channel/HT System?


First, I would like to thank Duke (Audiokinesis in New Orleans) for taking the time to allow my work colleague and I to audition a pair of Sound Lab A-1 speakers this past week while attending a tradeshow in New Orleans. We both enjoyed the encounter with the SL A-1 speakers immensely. Duke is true gentlemen and really nice to deal with. In the past I have heard and have been favorably impressed to varying degrees by quite a few electrostatic/hybrid/ribbon speakers, including Apogee (Slants, Duettas, Mini-Grand), Martin Logan (Aerius, Quest, Request, CLS, SL3) and Magneplanar (3.5, 3.6, 1.6, 20).
None of these speakers worked the magic nearly as well as the SL A-1 speakers did. I must confess that I more than smitten with these speakers. (To be fair I must mention that I heard the Magneplanar 20 in the mid 90's under less than ideal circumstances.)

Does anyone have any experience with using big Sound Lab speakers (M-1/A-1/U-1) in a 2 channel (most of the time)/HT (part time)set-up? Could you mix the SL M-1 speakers (main L/R) with box speakers (surrounds) and achieve good effect? Does anyone have any experience with the Sound Lab center channel speaker? It occurs to me that it would be wise to have a robust subwoofer(s) as part of a HT system to spare the SL M-1 from cinematic explosions and pyrotechnics. What subwoofers, if any, mate well with the big Sound Labs? Any other comments/thoughts on the subject?

Thanks,
Fernando
fgm4275

Showing 1 response by superguru10

superguru10
2 posts
 
I know this may be too late a response, but I thought I might give my 2 cents. I have had extensive experience with SoundLab speakers and have found the Marquee to be an EXCELLENT center channel match for the larger full-range speakers. Either use this or the "phantom" setting as suggested above. As for rears, I might suggest a new prototype bookshelf speaker that Roger's son Derek has been developing (I know Roger personally and am good friends with his son Derek)that is basically a half-sized Marquee.
Most dynamic subwoofers will not match the response timing of electrostats, but electrostatic subwoofers do give you the same "punchy" sound as cones. If you want to go with a dynamic sub at a reasonable price, try finding a Polk Audio RM300 model. This is not your typical Polk sub and mixes well with the SoundLab speakers we've experimented with. If you want electrostatic subs, Derek has a pair of B1's that he and his father just refurbished personally.

E-mail me if you have additional questions.
Superguru10@hotmail.com
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