Thinking about going electrostatic


Got that itch for speakers again I have a pair of Joseph audio pulsar and a pair of talon khorus.  I like both but now thinking about martin logan my budget is 3 to maybe 4500 I would look for a used pair can't afford new not to concern about bass I have a talon roc sub. Speakers would be powered with a rotel 1090 and prima luna dialogue pre amp. Have never herd of that type of speaker. Would like to here your thoughts 

bill1957

@bill1957 I looked at the reviews for the eminent technology ltf8c and I’m interested in those I’m a few hours from you.

 

Yep. Best to drive and go listen whenever you can. Worth the extra time and drives.

While I own smaller MLs in one system, and Magnepan 3.6/Rs for a short time due to room size limitations. They all can sound quite different. Some members have commented on the "room" considerations, it matters - a lot. My larger 3.6Rs did NOT do well at all in shallow room I had them in years back. The smaller Magnepans sounded much better there instead. Needed a bigger room for larger Maggies, MLs. Eventually trying and demoing speakers at your space is the key to know a lot more.

Local dealer has big/smaller SoundLabs old and new, Eminent Technology 8s, 16s, used Martin Logan CLX to compare to, each offer their own type of sound for sure.

Whenever I need my electrostatic fix, it’s fun to go in and listen to the large SoundLabs, and the ET speakers too. Heard both many times there. In a smaller room, the ETs are nice. In a large room, with proper amplification, the SoundLabs are my favorites. Was lucky to listen to all of them with my larger QS Mono 120 tube amps too, very nice!

Here is a link to the flashlight method that works well for setting the toe-in.

https://www.martinloganowners.com/threads/jim-powers-toe-in-technique.125/

Also, you need to experiment when setting the front to back lean. It can change the soundstage significantly depending on the room and seating position.

 

@bill1957 

Seems you want quick panel speaker with a cone bass so you are indifferent between electrostatic, ribbon, planar.  In addition to your Pulsars and Talons, seems like lots of fun.  Enjoy!

Another option, great reviews. I have heard these at shows. They are a middle ground between cones and panels.

https://janszenaudio.com/

 

For the life of me I haven't figured out the urge to move so far away from where you were/are on speakers. It's like saying you're tired of a sedan and want to try a truck, in my mind; such a huge difference in sound. Not that one is better or worse.

I started in 1995 with Martin Logan SL3s and still have them but after sixteen years I finally realized there was more to be offered as a 'whole package' by other types of speakers. I looked for a long time before moving to used/demo Dynaudio Sapphires in 2011 which I really loved for five years.

Along the way I heard the original Joseph Audio Pearls and had I $30,000 to spare I'd have owned a pair immediately. I consider the Pulsars a stunning achievement in a stand mounted speaker and the Perspectives superb as well. Then I heard Raidho and realized they were in a whole new league. I bought a small pair of Scansonic MB2.5s for our mountain home but then after listening to the original D1s that Jeff Rowland let me borrow for a few months I knew I had to change.

Thanks to Tyler at Next Level in the the Chicago burbs for allowing me to buy a pair off used Raidho D2s (and to take my mint Sapphires, Scansonics, and Dynaudio Excite X12s in trade). The D2s did every single thing better that the wonderful Sapphires (excepting sheer volume levels) and are my keepers. Buying a pair of Odyssey Audio Kismet monoblocks a few years ago really made them sing even more wonderfully. I still have my SL3s and they can't even try to be close.

Although MLs and other electrostatics can be wonderful sounding it seems like the change is just for the sake of change. Good luck and I hope the money isn't spent with regrets later. My 'boxed' Raidhos give me better detail, air, and body than my MLs ever could. But if one has money to burn...have at it and have fun.