Best Electrostatic loudspeaker?

The original Quads are pretty tough to beat, sound quality wise. Sans grills and dust covers and with good tube electronics.

Geoff,

The original quads were good if you listened a low volume to light music, otherwise you would soon start complaining. Where is the bass? Where are the dynamics?

Chadeffect, please note I said sans heavy metal grills and plastic dust
covers which restrict dynamics and bass performance considerably.

Geoff,

I understand and agree the quads dynamics are better with all that removed, but could hardly be called great by today's standards. Much as I respect it for its time.

Former magnepan owner here. 3.3. Powered by Spectral DMA 180. Quite clear,but could never get the imaging right,and the bass response was inadequate. Subwoofers at the time were not up to the task. Went to dynamic speakers for last 14 years, Audio Physic. and was completely satified until an unplanned audition of Martin Logan Montis. Wife was checking out Martin Logan Clx for a client, so I was in the other room passing time. Hadn't heard ML in 15 years, and was thrilled. All the Bass needed, dead center imaging. Bought them that day,and retail was less than my 15 y/o Audio Physics.