Final-Audio New Series electrostatics

I too am big fan of Final Audio.  I have the M12+’s.  I received them a few weeks ago and now they have ~150 hours on them and they sound in a word, TERRIFIC !  I have a modest listening space (10ft X 12ft) with the rear (behind my listening position) open into the kitchen area.  I was impressed at first with the bass as they go to 48hz however sound robust right down to that area.  They have opened up nicely in the ~150 hours and the mid-range and treble sound very transparent and fast.  I have to agree with accousticrat34 with his assessment of these speakers.  I also agree that the take a good while to break in.  The distributor says ~350 hours for full break in.  I’m less than 1/2 way there and I can’t think they’s sound any better than they do now.  I have mine paired with an SVS Micro3000 subwoofer which I crossover at 50hz with a 24db/octave slope and -15db volume and it meshes very well with the M12+’s.  For most of my listening I really don’t need a subwoofer to fully enjoy the music.  

Another thing that has impressed me is the subtle nuances in the music that I hadn’t heard prior.  I keep saying, "well I hadn’t heard that before" !  Like for instance instrument decay lasting longer than I’ve ever heard it on my other speakers.  This was one of the best stereo equipment purchases I have made in nearly my whole life in "Audiophileville" (50+ years)  If you have a small to normal size listening room, I believe the Model 12+’s would be just fine !  No need to go to the M15+’s or above, and I’d stick to the single panel ones as I don’t believe you’d need the models with the subwoofer unless you just want them integrated as a package.  One more important thing...  Ravi Velnati, the U.S distributor for Final Audio is a great representative of this product line.  If you’re contemplating the purchase of one of their fine speakers, you should give him a call.  

I was very curious about these speakers as I really liked their footprint. I have a bit of a narrow room and working with Ravi, who provided great support throughout the process, I was able to get a Model 5 without the bass speaker, which I did not need as I use an active crossover with my distributed bass array. Unfortunately I was not able to really appreciate the speakers as one of them was damaged coming over from the Netherlands and had a constant buzz. From what I could hear though, given the cost, these are high value speakers. 

Since then I was able to get my direct drive set-up working again. This is a pair of panels with the same footprint as the M5, powered by a direct drive amplifier so there is no step up transformer between the amp and speaker. The amplifier puts 5,000 volts directly on the panel. The system was designed by Roger Modjeski and only a handful if that were sold. I own his personal system.

The thing about Final is that they also can be powered by direct drive amplification. Twinstatic Audio in the Netherlands can build such an amplifier to be used with Final, which is an option I was looking into. Eliminating the transformer really enhances the sound and lets you realize what your speakers can really do. 

Long ago, I owned the Final 0.4’s.   My Carver Research Lightstar Reference amp drove them beautifully.   Powered subs filled in the LF.    The customer service was phenomenal.  During a move, a panel was damaged.  The U.S. distributor quickly sent me a matched pair of replacements. Kudos to Final Audio for their continuing R&D.

Very pleased to hear from fellow Final owners.  I have been enjoying my M35 since January.  Yes, the diaphragm material does require a long break in period.  Left mine on playing music at normal volume for weeks.  350 hours before serious listening.  Majority of change within the first 190 hours.  I ultimately intend to do a Final Atmos setup.  Have four M1 and a pair of M5.  No center yet.  Seriously considering the Tekton subwoofer towers.  That is a lot of speaker in any room.

I concur with others that working with Ravi has been a great experience. Its funny that there are not more biplanar fans out there. Since I first heard Maggies, MartinLogans and especially Acoustat electrostats (35 years ago) it has become difficult to accept regular dynamic speakers as a "disappearing source" that electrostats usually offer. I just hear music reproduced by boxes, with all the flaws that boxes and ports tend to offer. Electrostatic listening is an immersive experience that tends to let me pretend I am in the studio or at the live concert rather than hearing it reproduced. So few showrooms to allow folks this kind of listening experience!