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Audio nirvana ends with planar/electrostats?

Always heard quite a consensus that the pilgrimage for lifelike hi-end speakers ends with electrostatic or magnestat speakers. Is that still the case today with top traditional design speakers like i.e. Avalon/Wilson ??

Has anybody of you tried to leave their beloved quad/Soundlab/Mlogan for a Avalon speakers type?

Avalons, seems not bad to many people, easy load, but possibly quite expensive(amp saving?)

On the contrary it seems that more power is needed for the electrostats/magneplanars but models are generally cheaper (more musical?)

In few other words, for a full musical experience and lifelike reproduction (jazz music) better to go for a ESL 989 or Soundlab speaker type and expend the rest of the budget for the right amplification, or go for a middle class Avalon ?

Has anybody of you critically audition their beloved electrostat/magneplan speaker towards a top notch Avalon ? Outcomes ?
Thanks for taking my request seriously and I know that we are talking helicopter view here, but I should start someway without making a too long and boring thread.
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marko445's avatar
marko445
43 posts
 
Audio nirvana starts with Lowther/Korneff 45 DH SET this combo left my Maggies in the dust.
dudeaudio
39 posts
 
I also disagree. My Acoustic Energy 1 Signatures seem to match most electrostats in detail and soundstaging, and no electrostat I have ever heard has enough DYNAMICS to sound real to me. A drum kick should hit me in my gut, not gently caress my face. Some people live for electrastats, so its a personal thing.........

dudeaudio
kchahoc
85 posts
 
I went from B&W 803's to Maggie MMG's to 1.6's and then to infinity 4.1t's. Could not be happier. So no.
kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
You wrote: "...or go for a middle class Avalon?"

Avalon = Middle Class?

Did you mean that you thought Avalon speakers are middle class, or did you mean picking a middle of the Avalon line (i.e. Opus)?

Avalon speakers, especially the Eidolons, are not middle class, in any way, shape or form. With the right equipment, (which means only the best electronics, as well as a very powerful amp), these speakers give you the very best sound. (At least the best sound that I have ever heard, and that includes stereo stores or stereo shows).

A friend of mine has them, after he had experimented with Martin Logan, Thiel, etc.. In fact, after hearing his setup, I gave up my Martin Logan speakers (Sequel II's), in order to upgrade to the Revel Studios. My new speakers have several qualities better than my Martin Logans, including better soundstaging, dynamics, LF response. (I believe that the Martin Logans are good, just not as good.)

While I have not heard the Soundlabs, I have heard the Quads. I like them quite a bit, but not more than either the Avalon Eidilon or my Revel Studio, although, better than the Avalon Opus, (which just seemed to lack a certain something).

Therefore, in my opinion, the planer/electrostatics do not necessarily mean best. (Although, I will admit, that my previous favorite was the Apogee Diva speaker, which was of the planer (ribbon) type of speaker!)
In addition, planer/electrostatics do not necessarily need more power than more convential speakers, as the Eidolons like to have 400W/ch to really bloom, and my Revel Studios like 200W/ch. (Although the Divs's would eat power for lunch, since they dipped down below 1 ohm, ouch!)

Those are my two cents worth anyway.
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