Panel Sound

After hearing ML, SL, Janzen, Sanders, and Kingsound at recent shows, I'm leaning toward King IIIs. These have consistently sounded superb-- with embodiment that eludes most of the other ESLs. Sanders often sounds desiccated and paper-thin(maybe artifacts of the digital crossover?) and the hybrid Janzens can sound tubby with uncontrolled LF. At recent shows the CLX's have been hit or miss, but did sound great when paired with Krell.

When I heard the SL last year at the Newport show, even with mediocre electronics, the sound was surprisingly quite good. I would hope that the setup next time (maybe this year) will be done with far higher performance electronics .at least a top-notch preamp.

It would be in SoundLabs' best interest to assure that the demonstrator pair these speakers with appropriate electronics. But then again, so many many many exhibitors of "proud' speakers severely skimp on the electronics and the sound suffers immensely. Such a result for me and a friend meant we pretty much did a quick U-turn upon arrival to those such rooms.

My "stats rule" remark was made in a post titled "panel sound". Within that realm, and within the flavor of the topic, my comment is actually quite proper, should that be my belief.

I've had many "wall of sound" speakers, I think. At least I have many big electrostatic and other diaphragm speakers. I must say that I have gotten tired of listening to the recording event through two windows while in the control room. With the Magnepans and Magneplanars, I got tired of vocalists with six foot wide mouths. I've also been through many horn speakers with and without compression drivers. I hate when the instrument changes location with what note is being played. I noticed several years ago that dynamic driver speakers, if they had front and back drivers, were more satisfying. Then I bought the BMC Arcadia speakers and doubt I will ever buy anything else. But I know that speakers in particular show some love one and others hate it.