Am i missing some good and lifelike speakers ?tks


Dear ALL, aiming to hear the most natural sounding full range speakers (linear up from 30-35 Hz) I planned to audition so far:
Soundlab Dynastat
Soundlab M-2
Quad ESL 989
Not willing to include impossible to drive speakers, so the most critical shall remain the M-2.
Ideally it should work with my aleph 0,s(40+40W 8 Ohm 3 stages)but I am prepared to invest there too.

Which other transparent and real-like-life speakers shall include in the 5000-10000 USD range ?
As you have noted I indulge on electrostats but can live with a dynamic when it can be involving as real music.
Thanks
ad010685
I wouldn't rule out Kharma 1.0 . There are a lot of very satisfied audiophiles ( as i am ) out there that will tell you the the Kharma is probably the most natural,effortless,and one of the most listenable speaker out there.Should'nt be a problem in your used price range "if"you can find one....
If you are openminded and just want to find good lifelike speakers, I think you should read the following thread on Klipsch and than perhaps audition some. Who knows...
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1069872824&openfrom&1&4#
:)
Thanks to everybody so far. Newbee a good lesson from you.
My room is 30 x 20 feet but it could be possible that in future will relocate. In any case the audio room will never be smaller than 18 x 14 feet.
Talking now about sound quality, I don't like to hear a dynamic driver pushing sounds. Like better a more diffuse sound with a3d deep soundstage.
I will investigate all suggestions you made and welcome other ones ?
Cheers
Hello Ad10685,

First the disclaimer: I'm a Sound Lab owner and dealer, and former Quad 63 owner. I'm familiar with both the Dynastats and M2's, and frankly the M2's are in a significantly higher league. I'd probably pick the Quad 988 or 989 over the Dynastats, personally. The weak link of the Dynastat is the woofer box itself. If you're willing to do some tweaks to the box the woofer-to-panel blend can be improved, but still won't be ideal. Wish I could tell you otherwise...

Between the Quad 989 and M2, the Quad will be easier to drive (less hidden amplifier cost). I have a customer who owned Quad 988's and 989's for a while, I loaned him a pair of M2's for a few months (they were too big and expensive to be practical in his situation so he ended up with Gradient Revolutions). Anyway, he told me he preferred the Sound Labs across the board (noting their lower efficiency), and he made particular mention of the better dynamic contrast and richer presentation of the Sound Labs. Pardon the hearsay evidence, but this particular customer has better ears than I do so I use him a lot. I can put you in touch with him via e-mail if you'd like.

I've auditioned the 988 and 989, and personally prefer the 988. I think it's extremely competitive in its price range, and more coherent than its bigger brother.

While we're on the subject, the InnerSound Eros is a superbly articulate loudspeaker with a better woofer system than the Dynastat. The Eros does have a narrow sweet spot, but you get world-class soundstaging within that sweet spot. The Eros also has the best dynamics of any electrostat I know of in its price ballpark (including my beloved Sound Labs). I do sell InnerSound amplifiers but I'm not a dealer for their speaker line, as I prefer the wide radiation pattern of the Sound Labs.

On the subject of getting panel speakers to work well in small rooms, I think that if you have the freedom to position them properly and treat the room as needed, you can get excellent sound in small rooms. I have a customer who used full-size Sound Lab M-1's in a 12 by 12 room with great success, and another customer who's using a smaller pair in a 9 by 12 room right now. The rules of placement vary somewhat from with a monopole speaker, but in some ways a dipole is easier to integrate into a small room (once again assuming freedom to place them well).

On the amplifier front, the Dynastats would work well with your Alephs, and I think the Quads and InnerSound Eros would work well also (though with some loudness limitations). The Sound Labs M2's sound wonderful with the Alephs but would be limited in maximum volume level to the mid to upper 80's at the listening position. I had a customer who used the Aleph 5 on his Sound Labs, but personally I'd like a bit more juice.

Anyway, best of luck with your quest! Needless to say, I think you're barking up the right trees!

Duke
Hi AD10685,
Lifelike sound is my highest priority also. You have a mighty impressive short list. It tells me you have studied and listened. For the money, I really love the Quad 988. They sound very real but lack the extreme dynamics and deep bass extension. If I could have a second system, these would be my pick. I have owned the Soundlab M-2's. Excellent speakers for sure. Deepest bass of any electrostat I am aware of. The Soundlabs are a power sucking vortex. My 250 watt/side class A Bedini went up in smoke driving these speakers. Not kidding- big expensive stinky mess. My highest recomendation are loudspeakers by Shahinian Acoustics. At $4000 the Obelisk or world class sound with $8500 Hawks. I have the $12,000 Diapasons and gush with enthusiasm for these things. In my opinion and my wifes, these blow away every loudspeaker we have heard (some costing $75,000). The sound is easy to describe---Real!!! Unlimited dynamics!!! Vocals stunningly real- Acoustic instruments unbelievable. From the other room you would swear a band is playing. I'm not exagerating. Scott Markwell reviewed the Hawks on AVguide.com. He as well as John Marks of Stereophile, Peter Thomson of Plinius and John Bedini are owners of these magnificent loudspeakers. Unfortunately you need to go to Richards shop in New York if you want to audition them. The down side to the quest for the best.
Soundlabs are easier to hear. If your thinking of that route then go with Duke. He is truly first class, honest individual. Last I knew, he would reimburse you for the cost of travel to New Orleans for an audition if you ended up buying the speakers. You should verify that with him!!
Good Luck!!!
Stan