Three electrostat choices and my room-- need help

I concur with the Soundlab vote. But only if your ok with tireguy's description and Duke's (Audiokinesis) observations. Duke is as gracious and helpful as they come. I've owned Apogee and Logan reQuests, and the Soundlabs (mine are M1's) are in another league. With a good front end and preferably tubes, they really shine, and my room is only 13' wide and about 24' long.

Sound Labs get my vote, too. Not just because I sell them, but also because I've owned several other electrostatic speakers through the years and have found Sound Labs to be the elusive kind of "end of the road" product. There's nothing like a full range electrostat to get string bass right - listening to someone like Edgar Meyer whose range extends up to violin notes can be a revelation due to the seamlessness of the presentation - it gives me goosebumps every time! The same goes for piano, organ and many other instruments. Any of the Sound Labs will work well in your room, although I would suggest either the M-1 or M-2 (I have the U-1s in a room slightly shorter than yours). As Mrmb suggests, they work very well with some tubes; I've had great results with both solid state and tubes and demonstrate both. Sound Lab themselves have used both, and we dealers have a pretty good idea of what works well.

If you're in the midwest (I'm in the Chicago area) and would like to visit for a good listen, let me know. If you aren't nearby, perhaps I can help you locate another dealer or a local Sound Lab owner.

Warm regards,
Brian Walsh

Thanks to everybody for making my 'short' list three times bigger than when I started. I shoulda known this would backfire on me. At least a plurality has arisin for Sound Labs. Of course you'se found something more expensive than anything I started with. Oh well, as the good book says, He that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. At least I get to be jealous for the many kind remarks about my golden ears wife.

Don't forget about the Sound Lab Dynastat. Nice fit in your room (only 17" wide), not "beamy" like the Eros, under $5K, ample bass, great SL sound. If you get to San Antonio, I'd be happy to demo mine for you.

Regards
Jim

What a great problem to have! All 3 are fine choices. I personally use the Magnepans with all McIntosh solid state gear. My room is about the same dimensions as yours. The Maggies work superbly!

On a side note, I had the Martin Logan SL-3 speakers prior to the Magnepans. I like the Magnepans better. If you fiddle with placement you should be able to zero-in the Maggies to a perfect sound. Get the Maggies!