anyone have any experince with audiostatic spks

I'll throw my 2 cents in. I've only heard them at shows and I recall them being exactly as Lrsky described them. They really need a quality subwoofer though.

P.S. wasn't there some sort of recommendation for use with PAC IDOS pre-amps/line conditioning for use with these speakers? Perhaps it was just one audio review or a self serving business interest?

I've owned ES100/SW100's for several years, with never a problem. While they do beam somewhat, I think Lrsky overstates the case a bit. Had I not purchased Sound Lab U-1s, I might still be listening to them. Yes, the Ultimates are a considerable upgrade, albeit at a significant cost.

Unsound, I never heard of any recommendation of PAC IDOS; it could have come from a dealer.

Brian

My beaming comment was not a criticism but an observation. Frequencies above a certain tone, travel in a nearly straight line; not because I think so, this is emperically correct. Therefore it is impossible to overstate their beaming characteristics as a fact of their shortcommings, since some, if not most people would want a larger listening window. These speakers offer almost the literal, head in a vice size sweet spot of other designs of olden days.
What is accurate, while unfortunate, is not a criticism, simply, again an observation. Why else does Gayle Sanders, of Martin Logan use a "Curvilinear" design. Why does Roger West of Sound Labs use an even more sophisticated curvature with smaller areas, to change resonances, and disperse the high frequencies.
They recognize what everyone knows who has measured in an electrostatic...beaming.
Good Listening,
Larry

I owned them and loved them. Needed lots of power to get them to full potential. At least in my room. real cool looking also.