Soundlabs and magnepan mix on front stage?????

Two great speakers, I chose 20.1's but would have had M1's if a used sale had gone through (for my 2-channel system). However I think they sound different enough that mixing them across the front of an HT system might create a noticeable discontinuity (not to mention the load issue).

So good ideas above on starting with 2-channel and adding surround, but on the original question I would go all Maggie - and I love the SoundLabs (unfortunately I think it would be a bad idea to put one of them on its side ;-)

Bmcleod,

Thanks for your reply. The good thing about mixing the fronts is that at least there is some seperation of voice. Hopefully it won't be too different but I guess the only way to tell is to set it up and give it a try.

As for putting the soundlabs on their side :-) Well, probably not an option. How tall are the esl-63's?????

Can someone give me some input on mixing a SS preamp with a tube amp? I am considering running tubes for the power end of it but want to try and avoid running a dedicated 2 channel preamp and later have to purchase theater pre amp. Any ideas on a decent compramise? I was thinking the Proceed AVP2 + 6 because it has seperate in's and out's analog and it has great reviews for the money but running tubes for the power end is new to me so I don't know if they are compatable.

Thanks

Lance

FYI: Gordon Holt uses active ATC SCM 50's - he loved and owned SoundLabs for many years so perhaps you should look into ATC. They would be much more practical for an HT setup and are popular in studios for 5.1 monitoring.

I am not knocking your adoration of SoundLabs or Maggies - truely great speakers.....just the concept of usinglarge panels in an HT system seems a bit impractical to me.....of course perhaps you are simply looking for a challenge!!!

As an Apogee speaker owner...and one that has been there, and done that....unless your going to go for a sacd/dvd-audio setup....your options are many.

I've used everything from another Apogee (on it's side)...to a cheap Aurasound speaker (around $100) used...linaeum tweeter technology)....all worked "more than fine".

Using the exact same speaker....because of different placement issues, does "NOT" equal the exact same sound......take a measurement to confirm if you need to.

The most important factor is clear dialog...the other parts can be EQ'd if close......subwoofers do the bass anyway.

I'll put my flame suit on, but here goes....Apogees are head and shoulders above Maggies.....go there.

Dave

LOL,

No flame suit needed here. Speakers are the one true piece of equipment that falls under the "biased" catagory. I haven't had an opportunity to review the Apogees so I will try and make a point to do that. The SCM 50's I am not familiar with so I will have to do some research. I agree the center channel doesn't need to go full range. My concern was more that when I heard the 3.6's and most flat panel electrostats, they have been very directional. So going big for the center channel was more to increase my sweet spot for the voice coverage than it was to get big lows and highs.

I could just buy the maggie center channel cc3 as it is curved for better dispersion. It's small and easily moved around and would do the job fine. Though having a 1.6 or 3.6 on it's side for the center channel does have a certain "holy crap, is that your center channel?" flair to it. :-)

Thanks again for the comments.

Lance