Anyone Switch from Electrostatic/Planar to Dynamic

Very unlikely (though I never say never) that I will make the switch back to boxes. I have a pair of Apogee Stages and with the stock crossover, there are as many shortcomings as significant advantages. I gutted the cheap capacitors and decent inductors and replaced with NorthCreek Caps and thier 8gauge coils. The improvements were uncanny in all respects. I have owned Proac 2.5's, B&W805's, Thiel 22's and several others and I have yet to hear anything in a box that will change my opinion. The only limitations are absolute SPL levels (the bass ribbon only has so much excusion capability) and even though the lateral sweet spot is as wide as any, the vertical sweet spot is still fairly narrow but not a big deal. They do need current to provide the dynamics and slam that I require/ The ribbons do need current though to provide lifelike dynamics and slam but my Lev 331 really shines there. And considering there is now a source for replacement ribbons and a great usergroup site for information, I could not be happier owning Apogees for the long haul.

I'm fortunate to have two systems. One with Aerial 10t's and another with Infinity IRS Beta. The system with the (current) Betas has always had planars or 'stats...over the years there's been Logans, Maggies, etc etc.
I enjoy having the delicate planar sound and being able to go to a different room and enjoy the slam of cones. Which is better? Who knows! For me, it's all about the music.

Paul

I used Magneplaners and stats for years and loved them. I switched 10 years ago to Vandersteens and am very happy. Planars are wonderful under "ideal" conditions. Alas, many of us don't have ideal conditions, i.e. unlimited funds to make them work to their potential. I have a friend who has big SoundLabs and VTL 450's( i find that there some smaller amps in the 50-100 watt range that have a special magic), and it has some great qualities but his room size and acoustics limit their performance. The point is that dynamic speakers don't need the superhuman effort or Bill Gates cash(or pantyhose and a Glock 9mm, to visit all those 7-11's with)to get very good results. My friend fell in love with the idea of the "stats and tubes". He was one of the unfortunate soles that bought big Melos mono amps. It broke my heart to see the trouble he had. He couldn't run the damn things with anything as low budget as an ARC VT200, these things were addicted to watts and had to have them like a junkie needs his smack! The point is that given all the cash he spent compared to my "beer budget" system of 2Ce's and a Vandy sub driven by an ARC VT60(my room is very good for the Vandy's but not for dipoles)I prefer to listen to mine. By all means if you have the means, get the pannels and the big bottel head space heaters and build yourself a room for 'em cuz when they're right they will put a big grin on your face. But give me Vandy 5's and a much smaller amp and I can buy a small car with the cash left over and still have amazing sound. It's all in the set up!

I used to listen to a pair of Carver Amazing Loudspeakers, I still own them. Anyway the speakers sound beautiful but they are so laidback to the point of being flat out lazy. It takes an enormous amount of power to wake them up and even then they are still laidback. Listening to them was a frustration for me.

My current speakers are Thiel CS2.3.

I had Quad 64 years ago with EAR 519 monos. I spent a lot of time servicing them and never got to pair them with a good sub and a good "super tweeter" (difficult in those times). Did get some arcici stands though. Changed to Apogee for some time, then to active Audoexklusiv (a german offering w/ 175 W OTL per side). With the latter, extension was good, both highs and lows -- but spls were still lacking esp. in the bass. I was planning on getting a second pair for the mid-bass with their own el. c/over -- but had to sell everything, due to dire financial straits.
So, for 4 yrs now I'm with dynamic -- after +10 yrs with stators etc.

I still miss the speed, mid-range purity (strings and vocals!), though.