@douglas_schroeder and bdp24: Thanks for the mentions. Yes, it is kind of fun out here. As a former dealer, I had the opportunity to listen to pretty much everything back then, so I was in a better position than most. As for today, I leave that to the new group of dealers and buyers. What I did learn, however, is that boxes have limits and Maggies do not seem to have the same ones, but different ones that rely more on quality equipment and ROOM placement, etc. Fun times, indeed!
Regarding the Fulton J setup, we listened at length (when you own the shop, you get to do things like this) to the individual components by themselves and together. Certainly the 80's and 100's were similar in sound and the larger woofer was helpful. I would buy either one today for a workshop room or a system in a non-central listening room. However, I am certain that others have improved even on those today; I simply don't get around any more in this world and rely on posters here to provide suggestions. (I have no intention of buying any speakers--I have two pair of Tympani I-C's--one still in the boxes after a complete redo at the factory--so I am good.)
As for the J components, the RTR's broke a lot--we had a stack of individual "panels"--the electrostatic panels that made up the array--so we could replace them when they blew--at high volume, of course, but we were younger and crazier at the time--I think they were black in some models, but a LONG time ago, so...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Crown-Electrostatic-Speaker-Panels-NOS-HF150-RTR/263423519137?hash=item3d5543e9a1:g:BIsAAOSw~AVYplb4
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RTR-HF100-Electrostatic-Speaker-Panel-NOS-Janszen-130-ESS-Infinity-SAE/263423519138?hash=item3d5543e9a2:g:fN0AAOSwjXRXYeT3
https://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=vintage&m=238523
(Scroll down to see the speaker...)
The Model 80's were wonderful in any situation, and the huge "J" woofers reminded me of the ones we made for the crazy Levinson HQD systems back then. (We also made some of the dual-Quad ESL-57's/Decca Ribbon stands for them as well--full disclosure.)
http://www.vintagehificlub.com/mark-levinson-hqd-system-11/
The J was a great idea, but pretty pricey and difficult to move around and set up. Magges were SO MUCH easier even given their quirks, etc. We loved Mr. Fulton--he was a great guy to us--and were pleased to handle anything FMI created--great recordings and, I think, a tonearm and cables, of course, and other stuff. He was pretty good at what he did, right? Gone way too soon...RIP.
The issue with ALL electrostatic's is listening fatigue, which you do not get with Maggies. So, in spite of the initial "WOW" factor from such systems--Wilson as well--over time and many hours of listening to all genre's of music from every possible source--once again a dealer privilege (and obligation)--it was obvious that one was not going to stay in front of any of these other than the Maggies for extended periods.
And finally, the drive to "tall" speakers seemed to start with the success of Magnepan and has been copied by all the big (expensive) companies now. Interesting, right?
Cheers, and happy listening!
Regarding the Fulton J setup, we listened at length (when you own the shop, you get to do things like this) to the individual components by themselves and together. Certainly the 80's and 100's were similar in sound and the larger woofer was helpful. I would buy either one today for a workshop room or a system in a non-central listening room. However, I am certain that others have improved even on those today; I simply don't get around any more in this world and rely on posters here to provide suggestions. (I have no intention of buying any speakers--I have two pair of Tympani I-C's--one still in the boxes after a complete redo at the factory--so I am good.)
As for the J components, the RTR's broke a lot--we had a stack of individual "panels"--the electrostatic panels that made up the array--so we could replace them when they blew--at high volume, of course, but we were younger and crazier at the time--I think they were black in some models, but a LONG time ago, so...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Crown-Electrostatic-Speaker-Panels-NOS-HF150-RTR/263423519137?hash=item3d5543e9a1:g:BIsAAOSw~AVYplb4
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RTR-HF100-Electrostatic-Speaker-Panel-NOS-Janszen-130-ESS-Infinity-SAE/263423519138?hash=item3d5543e9a2:g:fN0AAOSwjXRXYeT3
https://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=vintage&m=238523
(Scroll down to see the speaker...)
The Model 80's were wonderful in any situation, and the huge "J" woofers reminded me of the ones we made for the crazy Levinson HQD systems back then. (We also made some of the dual-Quad ESL-57's/Decca Ribbon stands for them as well--full disclosure.)
http://www.vintagehificlub.com/mark-levinson-hqd-system-11/
The J was a great idea, but pretty pricey and difficult to move around and set up. Magges were SO MUCH easier even given their quirks, etc. We loved Mr. Fulton--he was a great guy to us--and were pleased to handle anything FMI created--great recordings and, I think, a tonearm and cables, of course, and other stuff. He was pretty good at what he did, right? Gone way too soon...RIP.
The issue with ALL electrostatic's is listening fatigue, which you do not get with Maggies. So, in spite of the initial "WOW" factor from such systems--Wilson as well--over time and many hours of listening to all genre's of music from every possible source--once again a dealer privilege (and obligation)--it was obvious that one was not going to stay in front of any of these other than the Maggies for extended periods.
And finally, the drive to "tall" speakers seemed to start with the success of Magnepan and has been copied by all the big (expensive) companies now. Interesting, right?
Cheers, and happy listening!