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What are the advantages of electrostatic versus floor speakers w/wo external drivers?

Are electrostatics considered the next level with a corresponding price bump, or just an alternative technology?

I've had floor standing speakers with tweeters and midranges on top of the box and others with all drivers inside it and found the only difference in listener positioning if you are right in between the speakers changing a record, the speakers with internal drivers are missing something.

The electrostatics I'ver heard have had sub woofers, which I guess would require an extra amp and crossover, and for a big enough room may be an ideal option. They seem to have a bigger, more open and detailed sound, but that may have been caused by the room size.

Just planning for the future....
sokogear

Showing 1 response by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,803 posts
 
Hey Sokogear,

I've been a fan of line sources and ESL's for many years.  What they do most of all is interact with the room very differently than a box speaker. The narrow dispersion causes more of a headphone effect at the listening location.  They also are great at sounding the same no matter how high up you sit.

They can be much more demanding of an amp, and require more space behind them, and also have a narrow sweet spot, along with a non-neutral presentation.  However, some fans can't imagine listening to anything else. 
After a lot of listening, and reading, I don't find the argument that they are faster as compelling as the argument that they just interact with the room differently and sometimes very very conveniently.

Best,

E
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