Acoustat 2+2...Any users?


Hi all, Picked up a used pair of 2+2's for a good price and from a very nice guy. I was wondering if any body out there is still using these classics. I am on a speaker reviewing frenzy trying to find out what sounds best in my living room. Also own Martin Logan ReQuest's, Quad ESL 63's. Also would like to know if anybody knows of someone that supplies spare parts or services the Acoustat's incase ever needed. Thanks, Bob
telescope_trade
I have had my 2+2s since the mid 80's. I recently upgraded the interfaces by making new circuit boards and using higher quality caps and resistors.

I just bought a pair of used 1+1s for the rear channels for multichannel sacd and home theater playback.

I am as happy now with the sound from the acoustats as I was when I first bought them.
I've a pair of medallion 2+2's for about one year - before that had Monitor 3's for 20 years. Originally drove 2+2's with Luxman pure class A 105 watt amp. Switched to Audio Rearch VTM 200 monoblocks with dramatic results. Acoustats are very finicky speakers, can be a huge pain to set up, and are extremely hard on an amplifier. But there is a reason people keep them - because when finally set up, they produce a combination of realistic imaging, full-range sound, and amazing lack of listening fatigue that I have never heard elsewhere. PS - don't ever use a subwoofer.
Yes Klinerm you are so right you don,t need a subwoofer with Acoustats unless you are deaf have own them for 25 years and never needed more bass than they already give me they are very forgiving panels
I have used 2+2's for three years and 1+1's for a few years a while back, and other ESL's for another 20 years. Whether subs will be needed/wanted will depend on the room, the position in the room, the listening level, and (more important than with most speakers,) the amplifier used. Acoustats must sit solidly on the floor! Do not sit them on carpet unless you have some sort of carpet penetrating spike or tiptoes.
I agree that heavy grill cloth muffles the sound, but thin modern knit fabric is easily obtained and installed and does not appreciably affect the sound (according to Soundlabs).
I use a pair of subs on some recordings but prefer them "naked" with most chamber or folk music. On large scale orchestral or rock, the tactile foundation in the bass is simply missing with any ESL I have ever used (or heard), so I supplement the bass from 55HZ down, but use the 2+2 full range.
All said, I prefer the tall skinny 2+2 in my moderate size room, to larger, fatter, shorter, heaver, more expensive designs.
Hello, I am very deaf and therefore need a pair of subs. Check here for a picture of my diy subs to mate with my Acoustat 6's. For those too lazy to look there are 32 eight inch drivers in a stereo pair of dipole sealed cabinets.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/10047418LsbjGLlsDK?start=0

Bob