Are electrostatic speakers worth owning?

What do you like and dislike about electrostatic loudspeakers and more to the point, what's your opinion of Martin Logans? Have a question you want to ask Paul? www.psaudio.com...
I am getting close to publishing my memoir! It's called 99% True and it is chock full of adventures, debauchery, struggles, heartwarming stories, triumphs and failures, great belly laughs, and a peek inside the high-end audio industry you've never known before.
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[@princediesel1]

I currently own Martin Logan’s , absolutely love them , and still amazed how good they sound 10 years later

[@caballerosuave]

@Philly B understand what?

[@sylviarienzo6955]

I bought Quad ESL-63s in the 80s after hearing they were ideal for opera lovers. I’m an opera lover. I love most music that excels in the midrange such as vocals, guitar, violin, harp, piano and so on and the Quads are perfect for me. I finally had them rebuilt a couple of years ago and they are like new again. So wonderful!

[@jasontimothywells9895]

Who did the rebuild , I would love to get my pair up and running again , it's been about 20 years since I heard them

[@sylviarienzo6955]

@@jasontimothywells9895 Wayne Picquet in Florida. I’ve retired that pair as a backup because an opportunity to buy the US Monitor version came my way and I jumped at it. My US Monitors were rebuilt by Sheldon Stokes. And I wish you well at getting your Quads running again. They will reward every effort with the most exquisitely beautiful music! I joke that I’m going to be buried with my Quads.

[@randomsomeone1617]

"Its all about dynamics and clarity and... SQUIRREL!" 🤣 as easily distracted as I am. I love it.

[@christinearmington]

🐿🍂🐿🍁🐿🍄🐿

[@chrispytelomeres9863]

I have a pair of Martin Logan impression 11a speakers. Hegel h360 driving them. They sound wonderful to my ears. Moreover, no crossovers above 200hz. The sound is luscious and forgiving. Badly recorded tracks sound nice and fun. Hifi recordings are out of this world.

[@Gadgeteverything]

Still loving it?

[@kevincollins1859]

Naw....com on now. You are kidding yourself...your old ears can't hear "disconnect" between the Martin Logan woofers and stat panels. They are very matched in coherence. Add a ML sub and it's simply heaven. Plenty of dynamics also. Your Infinity s are nice...but kinda big....now that's a trade off. Regarding sweet spot...ML have curved panels, as you said...not really a "vice like" situation for your head...I can move mine around several inches...no different than when critically listening to cone speakers really. Each to his own, enjoy the hobby and the music. I love you and your videos, keep them coming Paul. And stay honest in your opinions!

[@stavinaircaeruleum2275]

I'd love to have this man as a teacher or relative.

[@gerasimger15]

Stavinair Caeruleum I’d like to have him as my grandpa

[@catified2081]

Yes! You can choose your friends but not your family. 😭

[@deratany123]

No way. You ask this guy what time it is he tells you how to make a watch. If he didn’t repeat himself this video will be two minutes

[@MrStatusqwo5]

Yeah he bought me at 3:20.

[@henryrooyakkers8510]

@@deratany123 I think you're a smart person.

[@user-cv5db4yh6q]

When I lost interest in rock music and came in the realm of jazz, classical music and opera I couldn't find anything better then Martin Logan electrostatic loudspeakers ! They are perfect for this genre!

[@7karlheinz]

Well stated, Paul! Lack of dynamics is what forced me to give up on the original Quads and go to a Klipsch LaScala, and more recently Klipschorns with full Volti mods.

[@Tanner_o]

Paul said the same as his past video but didn't said about Martin Logan speakers. 1. Narrow sweet spot. Solved with a curved panel. 2. No dynamics. Solved with an excellent subwoofer integration. 3. Add the low frequency room correction. Then you have a speaker with almost no compromise. Even in another video about IRS, Paul said you need to have a long vertical line and a dipole speaker as the perfect speaker, just as a ML speaker.

[@paulsmith1899]

I have been fortunate to have my ML speakers next to my Vandersteen speakers and change them periodically.

[@claesmalmberg7925]

I think many of us mix up dynamics with pressure. I would from my personal experiences say that dynamics are fantastic in the newer range of Martin Logan’s but the pressure you get from traditional dynamic speakers are different. However you will for sure get a great deal of pressure from the powered woofer that ML’s has nowadays.

[@ggendel]

The wow-factor may be lost off-axis, but that doesn't mean that they sound bad that way. I designed and built a hybrid ESL/Transmission line woofer pair and have been enjoying them for 10+ years. What always strikes me is how they project that clarity everywhere, even at very low volume. That said, I've auditioned a number of commercial ESL and hybrids and found many of them lacking. I have a few pieces that I bring for auditioning and found an edgy sound which is why I went the DIY route and drive them with a SE amp. I recently replaced my crossover with a dbx driverack which allowed me to tailor the sound much better for the room. I don't see going back to conventional loudspeakers.

[@johnlebeau5471]

I had a stereo salesman in my home once, He brought by cables for me to audition (van den Hul the First, I bought them). At one point, a low bass note played and he started looking around the room. I asked him what he was looking for, and he said "the subwoofer". There was no subwoofer. The speaker? Sound Lab A-2 electrostatic. I like to describe them as Martin Logans with bass. I bought these used in 1985, and still own them. As a matter of fact, I just sent the electronics back to the "factory" in Utah, and the man who did the repair was Dr. Roger West. The designer of the speaker. I have heard Bigger Sound Labs, Acoustats, Martin Logans, Quads (the ESL-57, limited in ability, but what it does, it does astonishingly well). I could live with any one of these. The Sound Labs are a line source. There is no "head in a vise" sweet spot. Imaging is unreal. No speaker is perfect, not everyone will like these but they deserve a look. Full disclosure: I do not work for Sound Lab. I have no financial interest in Sound Lab. I am just a very satisfied owner. Sorry for the ad, I hope I haven't violated any standards of decency. soundlab-speakers.com

[@andershammer9307]

The Sound Lab A3's are the closest I've heard to my Acoustat X's

[@gs6188]

Love electrostatic clarity martin logan specifically

[@garysmith8455]

I believe that Martin Logan has aced any issues with a wider 'sweet spot', their 'Curvilinear' design (you mentioned) and bass module working with the stat. Aluminum cone bass drivers and in house designed and built Vojtko single crossover do it with my ESL 'Classics'. Connected to the Parasound A21, you'll have ALL the dynamics you could ask for, trust me on this. They are 90 DB sensitive !! Like the IRS V, they are a line source/dipole speaker with a pair of bass modules, except, only ONE xover point and thats at 380 Hz. ((O:

[@n.lyndley.9889]

Yep. Roger Sanders invented the curved ELS panel. He discarded it (mainly) due to impaired dynamics.

[@laurentzduba1298]

Weird fact about the "un-dynamic" critcisms of electrostatic loudspeakers - I have a well heeled audiobuddy fortunate enough to use Martin Logan ReQuests as main speakers on his home theater ready system (mostly used to listen to music). To my ears, these types of speakers - maybe a few planar magnetic ones - seem to be the only ones accurate enough to reproduce well recorded distant gunfire sounds, especially from a modern assault rifle firing 5.56 mm X 45 mm rounds. Too bad our local IMAX movie theater won't be upgrading to electrostatics and planars anytime soon. 😕

[@n.lyndley.9889]

Agreed. Hybrid ELS speakers with a traditional, dynamic woofer can give the best of both worlds. Time alignment disparities can be sorted with DSP delay alignment.

[@editorjuno]

The most interesting thing about this video was the mention of "Sprout speakers" -- no doubt they'll be pricey given that they're small bookshelf boxes from a "high-end" company, but I'm still curious as to what's in them and when they'll be available for review.

[@atticusrussell1225]

Ooh- were into bubbles now - what I perceive as Paul's very well managed ADD is so relatable

[@slyspy9819]

I said the same thing when first hearing him speak....lol

[@rudolfglaser9664]

I prefer electrostats (in my case STAX pro headphones) as a (pre-)final step before the delivery of self-produced music recordings. Through their clarity, any final errors can be clearly recognised and corrected if necessary. For continuous use, however, I prefer to use loudspeaker systems that stand in the room and don't knock on my ears.

[@aakar88]

I own ML Quests, so used to the clarity, that listening to other speakers in my price range, I am always disappointed @ their lack of it, so I just built a killer system around the Logan's.

[@goody2toad]

I have a pair of the baby ML electrostats, the Clarity. And everything you say is true, but the clarity only has an 8" woofer and has an additional rear-ish (more like ceiling facing) facing tweeter to help aid in the head in a vise effect in addition to the curved panel. So they still sound good out of the sweet spot, but in the sweet spot they sound amazing. I haven't heard the disconnect between the woofer and panel, although these speakers are the craziest high end thing I own by a loooooooong mile. To me they're amazing and magical but most people who have been in the game like you, know that it's just I haven't experienced much out there, but for the price of these they're really hard to beat, plus I love how they look too. But I'm also a super clear high kind of listener. A huge fan of Klipsch horns and Focal inverted dome tweeters for in car, so yeah, having basically a 3 foot tall all surface area mid-range/tweeter panel is like I said something magical to me. I hope to some day be able to afford bigger MLs although I would need a much bigger room first... I already feel like the Clarities are already too cramped in the room they're in.

[@dilbyjones]

goody2toad how do you feel today?

[@stephenhall3515]

Perhaps you should have had more experience of Quad regarding dynamics and the directional problem. Over the years the British company addressed many issues without the crudeness of ML and other companies using types of woofers.

[@rayschoepfer2921]

In the right room, with proper placement and suitable amplifier, there is NO problem with dynamics or bass on Quad 57 electrostats.I have 50yr old Quad 57s on 24" stands placed 1/3 of the way into a small but very solid room (3 of the 6 boundaries are concrete). I sit 1/3 of the way into the room from the other side and drive everything with a pair of 25 watt ML2s (50W into 4 ohms, 100W into 2 ohms, 200W into 1ohm, 400W into 1/2 ohm …… basically they have the current to not quit, even when the electorstats get down into the parts of an ohm).Beside the clarity, the dynamic range and impact are downright scary. And the bass, down to about 45hz is awesome. As far as sound window, the room is too small to go too far, so maybe that is a problem in a larger room.Moral of the story, you can get it all with the old Quads if you set them up properly, in a solid room and run them with a proper amp

[@craigellsworth3952]

Are you still with us?

[@2013brzsubaru]

Paul!!! you did not talk about the obvious elephant in the room!!!! :O)!!!!!! The new speaker AN3 side panels in the background!

[@n.lyndley.9889]

I was expecting a slating of ELS speakers but Paul, it seems, has owned a fair few and knows the main players. A well balanced argument. Their advantages certainly are captivating.

[@andershammer9307]

I remember the first time I heard electrostatic speakers. It was the KLH 9's. Hearing Amanda McBroom through them was absolutely stunning. I finally own a pair but they need work. The Acoustat X's are better.

[@sourdoughhome2571]

In 1968 a friend took me to a high end stereo store in Austin, High Fidelity Inc. They had a set of KLH-9's playing "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" from a high end audio tape. They completely took my breath away. It was like being transported to the Octopus' garden. A few years later, I heard some Quad ESL-63's at the SWTPc factory in San Antonio. Again, amazing clarity. Just drool worthy!

[@johngaspar4425]

You can just have two sets of speakers to play your needs. Electro-stats for ambience and the other for head banging - parties.

[@scottyo64]

The first time I heard Martin Logan's I didn't like them. That was before I knew much about them and found out about the way you need to set them up. Where I heard them the store didn't have a clue as they were a "big box" store. I would love to hear a set well set up.

[@lordmjh]

Where I think electrostatic speakers are the best are when they're used in headphones. I used to have a set of Stax headphones. Best sounding headphones I ever had oh, I wish I was never talked into selling them.

[@bagelhunk]

Any thoughts on magnepan?

[@mike_ratman]

I prefer Air Motion Transformer based tweeters or horn loaded high end. ML makes great use of both electrostatic and AMT ("Heil" derived) tweeters, but the ElectroMotion ones are sometimes too revealing and require "head in a vice" sweet spot, for the most part. Contrast the Motion series with AMT based tweeters and they have almost the opposite or a very wide listening arrangement as opposed to a narrow sweet spot. I love the ESL / ESL X sound, but for the money I will take a pair of Motion 60XT every time. As always speakers are probably the most personal part of your audio system and everyone perceives things differently. I like to say "your mileage WILL vary".

[@mike_ratman]

@blackened 1 oh, I agree. I preferred my old ESS Quadrophonic setup as far as the high end sound: 4 small AMT speakere with a central hub subwoofer that doubled as a coffee table. ;)

[@roberthart3452]

I oo had Accoustat 2 + 2s with 4 servo amps and the interfaces with Magellan (?) transformers. Lots of mods to the servos. Pretty sweet in their day. Also had a friend with 4 + 4s and heavily modified servos

[@billhuey8866]

I went with Focal K2 drivers for my tweeter, mid and mid-bass drivers because of SPL and the kind of music Iisten to. They're loud, dynamic and accurate for the price range. This is a custom setup I made and DSP time aligned, class D EVM boards etc

[@mickbroad2059]

Agree totally, in fact I at one time did modify Martin Logan's as a paying hobby...the mods were centred around the bass enclosure and the poor quality of internal craft, i also replaced the drivers.....not a cheep thing to do....but the synergy between bass and stator was unmatched and totally transformed the unit..... Mick

[@davemonell9308]

Hey you should check out kingsound Paul they really have great bass and the clarity I don't think they imported to the USA anymore. I believe they were made in Taiwan.

[@HiFiInsider]

I would love to hear a QUAD ESL speaker.

[@beagle7622]

Try to find some, even the ESL’s are outstanding for about 4 grand Australian.

[@gizmothewytchdoktor1049]

'stats for the mid/tweet chores and transmission lines for the lower frequencies. one amp assembly for both. tubes on the stats and transistors for the transmission lines. :-)

[@TheMirolab]

I agree with Paul 100%..... and yet I still love my 20+yr old Martin Logan SL3's (recently washed panels!). They do have restricted dynamics compared to my other "cone based" speakers. BUT.... let's remember that amp matching is even more critical with an electrostatic, due to the highly reactive load, and low ~1 ohm impedance at 20kHz. I'm driving mine with a Bryson 4B-ST and they sound great. Anything less than a beast driving them, and the dynamics suffer. I'd love to try a new Sanders MagTech amp on them someday. (oh... I guess I should said... with a new PS Audio amp too!)

[@stevekirby7333]

The Acoustats I've heard were the giant curved panel things. One system had a second set of panels for bass. The bass and dynamics of that system was amazing. I've also heard an original Levinson HQD system with the paired Quad ESLs. It wasn't being played particularly loud but the dynamic realism was beyond anything I've ever heard. This was at Tim Marutani's, who you may know. He played me an original tape he'd made of Eubie Blake playing ragtime piano. The combination of the impact of the piano (I sold them for several years in addition to playing since I was a kid) and his stamping his foot on the stage was completely natural and realistic. Maybe there are systems that can play 1812 canon shots louder, but I'll talk to Tom Danley if I want that.

[@turcinovic90]

Term "Lack of dynamics" is used incorrectly here, I think. These speakers certainly do not sound compressed,. Actually, they sound life-like. with ultimate speed (note comparison with slow woofers that cannot follow the speed of electrostatic speakers). So they have that ultimate dynamics in structure, better than any other speaker. They just cannot go very loud as a horn or deep as a subwoofer!

[@beagle7622]

They aren’t compressed at all I thinkthe opposite in fact with a Prima Luna valve Amp of 48 watts with the Tubes I use KT88’s. Plenty of power can’t go above the 12 o’clock volume setting.

[@ReubenHamill]

I own the Martin Logan Purity, which are self powered and cost me ~2k and are in great condition. I 100% recommended them but I grew up with Martin Logan’s so my ear is ‘tuned’ to them and other speakers sounds muddy to me.

[@darrenweight5972]

@ 5:00 - Ray Kimber’s electrostats were custom built by SoundLab. They are the “Pro-stat” and they are MONSTERS! My buddy Deven and I sold them to him for his 4-channel Iso-mic set up. There’s a great story as to why they were built to begin with but that’s another story. I enjoy your channel greatly. You know I’ve yet to use any of your company’s products... hmm. I’d like to take a closer look as I’ve heard great things. Thanks for doing what you do!

[@shaun9107]

I like the BUBLES in the background more lol

[@METATRONS_CUBE]

This man is wonderfull.

[@steveearnshaw2216]

Early 1970’s, Electrostatic Sound Systems made the Heil AMT 1 compact floor standers. Very nice sound. Infinity produced their Servo Static 1’s with a servo woofer. Sounded amazing with the Audio Research tube gear of the day. Wife acceptance factor killer them.

[@TheDonKillum]

Martin Logan Theos owner here with Martin Logan 50xt center, 4 B&W DS3 dipole satellites and 1 1000w Martin Logan Sub. Love my setup but the electro stats are the crown jewel of my collection.

[@SuperMcgenius]

Years ago got zapped by a pair of Dayton Wright speakers 😕

[@no_bull]

I'm buying the Quad ESL 2912 they're a jewel of a loudspeaker.

[@jeffharper410]

I think the speakers you where trying to remember are Sound Labs , belive it or not my wife still misses ours. They are amazing and the big ones do go down to 20 hz. We had to sell them when my son was born. Kids and high voltage electrostatic speakers just don't go togather. 800 volts !

[@socksumi]

I find electrostatics to be exceptionally dynamic with less dynamic compression than most box speakers. What they lack is dynamic range meaning they don't go terribly loud. But stats have excellent dynamic contrast up to their maximum SPL. Hybrid ESLs will go louder because the stat panels operate out of the piston range but the compromise is they can sound a bit boxy and they lack the low frequency speed and coherency of good full range stats.

[@beagle7622]

Personal opinion.When I first heard them I loved them in a crowded room , than I had to find them. Heard the in empty rooom beside Kef Reference Speakers . That was it game over. I own a pair of ESL’s & love them, took me 5 years to justify them before I bought them, I had Sonabs before them , then a nice conventional tower & totally loved them too especially the Sonabs . Also own a pair of Kef Ls3/5’s I bought new in 1980 which are pure magic. Been offered 2500 dollars for the Kef’s, turned that down.

[@bayard1332]

Compromises, which ones will you accept... I spent 18 months trying to get my rig to sound the way I thought it should, I finally managed to get there... and promptly came to the realization that 'there' was not where I want to be. I got my 12 yr old B&Ws to do what they do... with big power, amazing highs, a sound that continues to thrill me... but it's just not the way stuff should sound to my ears that had their formative experiences with PAs in the 70's... I have come to my personal conclusion that all these small driver/long throw speakers are the wrong way to go... so now I'm working on a setup with pro drivers, open baffle etc... so it seems I am perhaps willing to sacrifice some of that modern intensity for a sound that is comfortable, properly scaled, and above all makes me want to move to the music. Your mileage may vary. (I am still haunted by the clarity of electrostatics I heard 35 years ago...)

[@Hubjeep]

There is a pair of ML Aeon i speakers locally, asking $800. May be high for speakers that may be 20 years old. My Bryston 4B could use something to power.

[@jimolson9671]

I had Martin Logan impressions. After a year The limitations war on me. Replace them with KEF Reference 3’s. Never looked back! I have no regrets.

[@goodsound4756]

It was actually „Dynamics“ that got me buying electrostats. Due lack of mass, they accelerate and brake faster than normal speakers. Disconnected bass? Maybe with 20y old models from ML. Recent models are 👍 . Will not sell my Ethos.

[@jasonlsimmons]

I am still loving my ML Montis. Like you, they have plenty of bass. I have to actually turn the bass down substantially as it can be way too much.

[@erics9754]

I heard Martin Logan and i did not like them because of what you mentioned. Years later I heard Soundlabs and my God this has none of these issues they are never harsh always smooth and do bass great and are very dynamic especially the 7ft and above ones no sub is needed believe me. You need to check them out they do electrostats differently and all electrostatics have improved. I never judge anything I heard 10 tears ago. I always found your gear harsh and mechanical sounding but after hearing your current gear it is much better at least to my taste and ears.

[@TheMaxx111]

I don't get the complaint about the lack of dynamics with electrostatic speakers. The panels are really only good down to about 300 hz but there is an extremely easy solution...buy a good subwoofer! Problem easily solved. It is like complaining that tweeters are not dynamic, yes, that is why they are paired with woofers....

[@muinarc0]

In the mids you can feel a snare drum or bongos physically in real life, people want that feeling. The problem is you can't get that with ANY speaker at what most would call "reasonable" volumes. I just upgraded from 'stats to 'stats and had this dilemma to consider. I decided the clarity at low to medium (everyday) volumes offered by stats is unmatched and I'd rather have speakers that sound amazing for 99% of the use they get (tv, movies, music, etc.) instead of other designs that only get amazing at high volumes (probably 5% of my listening time) like horn or dynamic driver designs. No one demos speakers at volumes you will be watching the evening news at, but they should.

My electrostatic headphones are very pleasing.

[@howardhorowitz1405]

I love my Martin Logans and of course my REL subs.

[@leancove9662]

With all respect for your knoledge , and recognising the difficulty the Martin Logans have in synchronising the two velocities, I am surprised you prefer them to the Quod ESL 58 or the 63. Could you please explain that Paul, as your explanation can be very interesting.Thanks.

[@lanierje]

I agree that electrostatics just can't be easily coupled with dynamic woofers. Solution? Couple those lousy slow woofers with lousy dynamic midranges and tweeters. For what it's worth, my homemade ESLs have deep bass (Pipe organ pedal-tone bass!)

[@rvdh1964]

Thanks Paul for answering my question. After the Martin Logan Sequel 2 and the SL3 I bought the ML Summit in 2006. So I have not been looking for a couple of years now. Although the Summits have 200W amplified duo subwoofers in each cabinet, the sound depends heavily on the amp used. I found that a Pass Labs amplifier sounds really nice and so does the Devialet 200 or 220 (or better). I am curious how your BHK Signature amp will sound on my Summits!

[@martinjandijkstra3205]

The dynamic bass of a hybrid esl doesnt need to have the same speed as the esl as it is never asked to do so. If you hear a mismatch it is likely because of colouration of a poorly designed enclosure, level differences etc. Esls are more linear and a well designed hybrid can actually offer more dynamics than a dynamic system.

[@Mikexception]

Few months ago I made some experiments with electrostatic tweeters (only tweeters) added as support to my vjntage wideranges which as I tested cover band up to 20kHz Those electrostats are as well vintage and german (Isophon). By producer they operate from 7kHz- 16kHz and may cooperate with speakers (I believe) to 5Watt I listened to them for about two months and found that I do not notice their input to whole music. - separately they obviosly sound but in parralel delivery with single driver they are just like vanishing . My conclusion is that they have the same sound character which is compatible to wideranges thus are not recognizable in listening. For me it was confirmation of their exceptional acoustic output but finally disconnected complicated HV installation without any fall.

[@torbjorntoft1416]

Hi Paul! I really enjoy your videos and how you are very scientific about hifi! I moustly enjoy tubes, not cous i think it’s better, i just think it’s more fun to build! When it comes to film capacitors i allways check witch the outer foil end with my oschilloscope to get the least amount Of interference. Do you do the same? Or is it just waste of time? Best regards Torbjörn from Sweden?

[@kevinliu4797]

I have Martin Logan vista and boy can they get loud. I don’t know what Paul is talking about the lack of dynamic.

[@socksumi]

I love well designed electrostatic speakers and consider their world class resolution superior to all other types including ribbons. The only superior technology might be ionic discharge (plasma) drivers because they have no moving mass but so far only available as tweeters.

[@thegrimyeaper]

- What is Holland? - What do you mean, 'what is it?' It's a country right next to Belgium. - No, that's the Netherlands. - Holland *is* the Netherlands. - Then who are the Dutch?

[@awdadwadwad1723]

actually I am confused by that too, are these 3 the same?

[@dizzycheeser1920]

No the is Belgium and the belgians There is Denmark and the dutch And there is Netherland(=Holland) and its citzians the hollands (i'm not 100% sure on the hollands here in germany we call them "Holländer" which translates to hollands):)

[@thegrimyeaper]

@@dizzycheeser1920 Yeah, I'm even more confused now.

[@catified2081]

They all were wooden cloggs? And worship tulips?

[@rvdh1964]

Here we go: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands

[@wilcalint]

Stacked Quads were beautiful. Agreed limited dynamic range and not much push below about 200Hz. Quads driven by tube electronics are pretty compelling,

[@AntPDC]

Agreed. I used Quads with a subwoofer and an Audio Innovations' valve amp. Exquisite sound but lacking muscle, as has been said here and elsewhere.

[@wilcalint]

@@AntPDC One more step up on those stacked Quads. Some people put a Decca Ribbon tweeter between the panels. That Decca ribbon was amazing. I replaced my tweeter on my Dahlquist DQ-10's with a Decca Ribbon.

[@AntPDC]

@@wilcalint I've heard about those Decca ribbons. Legendary by all accounts!

[@PanAmStyle]

Bill Kenney The DQ-10s were SO nice. I only heard them occasionally in a shop that I sometimes frequented, but they were captivating. The biggest downfall (aside from any taste in sonics) was the wide footprint - not friendly for smaller rooms. Or nearly any spouse 😂

[@kode3]

Still rocking ML Ascents since 2001, why downgrade? :P

[@latourhighendaudio]

Well i will agree that electrostatics have a narrow listening window,. I will also agree that its difficult to seamlessly integrate a come woofer to a electrostatic panel And most “fullrange “ electrostatics dont give you enough low bass energy to sound full range, BUT im not sure youve heard Soundlabs Paul. Soundlabs in my opinion are one of the best sounding speakers I have ever heard and are my favorite to this day. Listen to a pair of A1’s or Ultimates and they do have amazing bass better than any cone speaker I have heard, and midrange and high frequency’s are magical. Tonally no speaker comes close, musically no speaker comes close, are they perfect ? No. The short coming for me and all electrostatics is not the narrow listening window which can be annoying and its not the dynamics they can be very dynamic, it is the three dimensional imaging that you get from cones speakers that electrostatic speakers just cant seem to reproduce. The music sounds like it starts from the panels back which is good if you like a deep soundstage which i do, but there cone speakers do it better overall. Better front to back and width of soundstage. Cones are more precise in imaging, electrostatics are more vague in where instruments are in space. Then again electrostatics have another big advantage, and that is they have no speaker enclosure to color the sound. They are open baffle so they radiate sound both forward and backwards and of course the rear wave is out of phase with the front which really isnt a problem but electrostatics MUST be away from rear walls, they cannot be placed near rear walls, Period ! They sound dreadful next to rear walls. Anyone that does does not understand the importance of speaker placement and electrostatics. But yes they can be fantastic in many aspects, from overall tonal balance, resolving power or detail, bass can be amazing on certain electrostatics, they are simply can be extremely musical. Oh another advantage to electrostatics is the ability to play music at low levels. They are amazing if at still resolving detail at low listening levels in comparison to cone speakers. So i would encourage you to listen to electrostatics, and or planar magnetic speakers like that from Magnepan, they offer excellent sound especially for the price range.

[@rtg97229]

I can't think of an electrostatic that I would not pick over an ML. Oh and Acoustat Spectra 66s absolutely have bass and can be built out of the parts of not so hard to find and not so expensive Acoustat speakers you can buy on the used market.

[@erics9754]

Why no mention of Soundlabs.

[@MrStatusqwo5]

This guy bought me at 3:20❤

[@bayoff]

Electrostatic speakers can play low frequencies! I know how to do it! I am learning English in order to come to work at Martin Logan and do it. Want to wrap my country with barbed wire. If this happens before I have time to learn English, it will be difficult for me to implement my idea. Please help me transfer my idea to Martin Logan.

[@navinadv]

It’s Soundlabs A3 @ 5:10

[@think2023]

Try putting large electrostats in an infinite baffle. Prepare to hear the tightest bass you have ever heard....and plenty of it! OK...you could use a sub below 50 to add headroom in a biamp setup.

[@jamievenardos2409]

You are a very likeable human, & I love your HiFi for dummies tutorials, perfect for idiots like me. 👍

[@DC8Super72]

Adding a good sub solves the issue of lacking dynamics.

[@andershammer9307]

I worked at a stereo store where we sold Martin Logans for awhile and we sold Quads for awhile. The Martin Logans were nice but kinda boring. The Quads were better. But my Acoustats were better than both of them.

[@tomehCanada]

Were you thinking Magnepan IVa's that Kimber owns with two bass panels? Iwoned a set at one time. The ultimate anti-WAF??

[@rareacts9868]

Excellent video.

[@Sahko123]

Doesn't having the microphone that low disregard a bit if the tweeters sound

[@gotham61]

Great e explanation of the differences and choices. As an apartment dweller with neighbors, I really can’t take advantage of large scale dynamics or super high SPLs. I have used Quad 57s with subwoofers as my reference for nearly 30 years. Nothing else does what they do.

[@tylancaster01]

Are we looking at speakers with side-firing subs back there?

[@dereksewkumar07]

"Boss-man ..right on the tech! ..clarity ..don't equal emotions to the feel of involvement to musical 💜 soundstage!! d 🤕

[@johnhodgson5313]

Very well done, Paul, this is a solid discussion on the compromises that face all speakers. It also displays that we are a long way from perfect or even near perfect speakers when highly experienced audiophiles have to decide which features they need and which ones to leave out. And everyone with your experience will have a little different answer. My way around the problem is electrostatic headphones. The ancient ones I rebuilt have bass and slam as well as clarity, but I can't feel the bass. I heard some electrostatic ML's in the mid 80's with a custom set of subs with a dozen (I think) 15" woofers. Best sound I ever heard. The usually obvious difference in timing between the panels and the cones was not that obvious in this case. Unfortunately I only heard them twice and was so blown away that I didn't do a critical analysis.

[@disorderindminor]

I have acoustat 2+2's and Magneplanar 1.7i's, I will say the acoustats have the head in the vice thing you mention going more than the magneplanars. The 1.7i magneplanars definitely have bass and the newest magnepans (well after this video was made granted) are insane, they have the debuted a new bass panel at the toronto audio show a few years back (not the DWM) and it was game changing, unfortunately it doesn't seem like its ever come out for production. I have a buddy who works in the factory and I haven't heard anything more about it It's around 3:25 in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWPEYn-cpMZke8U

[@DrBroncanuus]

So electrostatics are the Kings of klarity but have no Bass and even a ML Descent Servo Powered Subwoofer designed by Paul McGowan will Not keep pace with the electrostatic panel and the overall sound will be disjointed ?

[@MrCatalysis101]

Very fair points Paul. We've all been there. Can't live with them, can't live without them. My solution is a really great 1978 pair of 57s that hangs around in the background until the mood strikes to spend some time with them again. For the most part, however, my Thiels are the weapon of choice. This the fourth pair of Quad ESLs of one stripe or another that I've owned and the fifth l've had regular access to. I got sick of not having them around when I fancied having my ears caressed, so these are keepers, except for the other issue, and that's the servicing they will inevitably need from time to time. ESLs are truly for the dedicated, but they reward in spades with the right source material.

[@wildcat1065]

Every audiophile should try a pair of panel speakers at some time in their life as they illustrate that midrange is king. Having lived with some Martin Logan SL3's for 20 years I would say that although the limitations described by Paul are correct, they were not sufficient to be deal breakers for me . I think electrostatics can be deeply satisfying as they offer a very large soundstage and pinpoint imaging and great speed on transients along with the transparency. The latest models have much better bass integration than my SL3's where the bass always sounded a little slow compared to the lightening fast panels. Despite loving stats I have gone back to box speakers as seamless integration top to bottom has now moved up on my list of priorities and you do get more of a sense of scale. Some box speakers can come very close in transparency to electrostatics these days too.

[@rtg97229]

Why would you buy MLs after owning Acoustats? Original Quads are absolutely worth owning but probably not as your only setup.

[@andershammer9307]

My speakers are good enough when I can go to a live concert and sit in a balcony seat and lean over and close my eyes and listen carefully and then go home and put on an LP (Telarc) of the same music and close my eyes and it sounds the same. I open my eyes expecting to see musicians on a stage but see my speakers instead.

[@imad1996]

Why not prepare the answer on a dheet6of paper. Thx

[@andershammer9307]

Adding a subwoofer to my system didn't add any bass and just blurred what was there. The electrostatics had a lifetime warranty and I have yet to see one go bad that wasn't physically damaged. The damaged panels were repaired by me. I heard the Sound Lab A3's a couple times and they are pretty close to my Acoustats.

[@666PANDEMONIUM]

I exclusively own electrostats at this point. I just love the texture of the sound.

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

Me too. Plus ya gotta love that SNAP you get when you over drive it and ram the film frontways into the stator.

[@jeffreyepiscopo]

Why electrostats instead of maggies?

[@666PANDEMONIUM]

@@jeffreyepiscopo It's all about the speed. Planars do not have the instantaneous movement of electrostats. They are faster than dynamics, but not elctrostats. The faster the driver is capable of moving the easier it is to reproduce frequencies. The reason that electrostats sound like electrostats is 1 the thin material that they are made of and 2 the speed at which they can travel. That is also why electrostats are so hard to drive.

[@andershammer9307]

I don't care for Martin Logans as they do lack dynamic range and the panels fail after awhile. Apparently you have never heard the Acoustat X's with their direct drive amps. When modified the sweet spot is wider and bass is very deep and detailed and dynamics are stunning. I prefer mine over the IRS which has a problem I can't live with which is the image wanders up and down the drivers.

[@JohnDoe-jm5ul]

I have the martin Logan sl3s, and they certainly don't lack low end period. Easily goes down to 30hertz. Also the panels last a long time, aslong as you take care of them.

[@ixfxi]

I agree, the original poster is incorrect. I own a pair of CLS IIz and they go down to around 50hz, I use subs to take care of the rest. The original panels were 25+ years old and still good. Downside is their current price for replacement panels, very expensive.

[@TheMaxx111]

I have a pair of Martin Logan odysseys and I love the sound but the damn panels go bad on you and good luck getting them fixed.

[@digidrum2003]

How do the panels go bad?

[@TheMaxx111]

@@digidrum2003 The electric coating on the cellophane wares off. The panels only last about 15-20 years if in a good environment (Clean, low humidity, low dust) before needing to be replaced. There are only 2 people I know of who recoat the panels, one guy in Indiana and one guy in Germany. I had Martin Logan manufacture a new pair of panels for my Odysseys, it cost $1,900 and took 20 weeks. This is a serious consideration when buying Martin Logans! That said, the sound of Martin Logans is so damned good and I cannot find that sound in regular speakers (I don't know about Magnepans or Quads), it is worth it to me to put up with all the BS and pain in the ass they are.

[@digidrum2003]

@@TheMaxx111 Thanks for the info....just ordered my M.L.s cannot wait to hear them.

[@TheMaxx111]

@@digidrum2003 What model? I have a pair of Odysseys and a pair of ESLs.

[@digidrum2003]

@@TheMaxx111 EM ESL's with the single 8" woofer....just hooked them up yesterday.

[@awdadwadwad1723]

Friend of mine has electrostats... absolutely no bottom end, it is just sad. I love precise bass slams, how can one live without? Ofcourse you can pair them with subwoofer, but this way it definitely not sounds properly...

[@cars654]

I do not like the dynamics and the limited sound field. They may sound good with a built in sub like the M.L. s have but with separate subwoofers they sound out of phase and the midrange is to flat for my taste.