Personal Monitor sized speakers : are ESL worth the troubles??

[JinMTVT]

I have been looking at constructing ESLs for some time,
( Electrostatic pannel speakers )
went trhough almost everything available on the internet,
read a few books notably Roger Sanders ESL coockbook!

I have now gathered almost everything required to build a test ESL ( some electronics will serve for final project too )

And before i invest any more time into this expensive project,
i want to consult you guys that have the experience and knowlede i do not posess.

Are small ESL worth the trouble for monitor type loudspeaker?
( small = 30cm by 60-80 cm high )

Here is my specs :

driven by = computer to Bryston 2B ( soon 4B ) to speakers
room = 10 by 16 8' ceiling untreated for now
usage= music ( cd and others ) movies ( hdtv, dvds) and games

wanted to position the speakers at 1meter distance from listening position, approx 1 meter distance from each other
thus minimizing early relfection times VS direct sound
( will need room treatment neway .. building a rear diffuser soon)

point is, i am always alone listening to those, and i don't want to use headphones all the time.

the proximity of the speakers will help me on SPL achievements


back onto esl,
from what i understand, plannar speaker is the best way to achieve quality in sound in a reasonnable size for mids and highs
i guess that they do not suffer from crossover in between mids and highs, source is bigger in area ...

would you guys even consider using a small ESL for monitor kinda setup ?

the only other thing i would consider would be a small array of less than 1 meter high for now ..would be way easier to build
and alot cheaper
( good ESL transfos will cost me 400$USD + for the pair )


neway ..i'd like to have your thoughts about this project

it also includes a sub enclosure, either TL type of dipole,
not too sure about what to do in that domain
should be able to cover all the lower range ( maybe 4-500hz down)

was also considering adding wings to the small ESL to help with baffle problems

[JinMTVT]

mmm...

i thought that many of you would have thoughts on this subject since a few are using small personal speakers as secondary setup !!

[JinMTVT]

ok no one wants to answer my stuff enh!!! ???
hahah

anyone has thoughts about dipole use for almost near field operation ?

is approz 1 meter a good listening position ?
i might have to go to 1.5m at the end

ever tried small ESL pannels?

[Stocker]

Okay, you want some opinion? Here's mine:

You pretty obviously very much want to build some ESLs.

DO IT!

Nevermind what we all have to say. You may just build it and love it.

[BrianL]

First off, do you really think that people just sit around waiting
for you to post a question so that they can all jump on
their keyboards to provide an answer?

As to your question, a small ESL will likely be little
more than a tweeter. I don't think you'll get much more
than that out of them.

If you want planar and you want small and mostly computer
use, I'd suggest starting with the cute little magnetic planar
plus subwoofer computer speakers from Monsoon. I have
two sets of MM-1000 systems. Very nice for the $150/pr
they cost, though the electronics is somewhat on the noisy
side (can't hear above my computer, though).

The Monsoons are the best computer speakers I've heard
for anywhere near their price.

The downside is that the company seems to have gone under.
Check ebay.

[SY]

It's not that crazy. Stax made a very similar product. You'll need some heavy-duty EQ and the volume will be somewhat limited. But it CAN be done, and it can be done well.

[JinMTVT]

Originally posted by BrianL
First off, do you really think that people just sit around waiting
for you to post a question so that they can all jump on
their keyboards to provide an answer?

As to your question, a small ESL will likely be little
more than a tweeter. I don't think you'll get much more
than that out of them.

If you want planar and you want small and mostly computer
use, I'd suggest starting with the cute little magnetic planar
plus subwoofer computer speakers from Monsoon. I have
two sets of MM-1000 systems. Very nice for the $150/pr
they cost, though the electronics is somewhat on the noisy
side (can't hear above my computer, though).

The Monsoons are the best computer speakers I've heard
for anywhere near their price.

The downside is that the company seems to have gone under.
Check ebay.

ahahaha

and what DO YOU THINK ??
trying to convince me that i should buy your "computer" speakers??
wtf? i have been using bryston amp with Mirage OM speakers
( 2000$ ) + BPS bipolar 8" powered sub for some time,
do you really think that i would be going back to cheap
computer speakers?
and by the way, i'm pretty sure that my computer output is better in audio quality than almost any sub 1000$ cd/dvd readers ..


computer speakers
there are some nice at Costco for sub 150$CAD


Stocker: ahahha you are right buddy, maybe i'm just trying to justify to myself the involved time spent

[454Casull]

JinMTVT, petitioners must be - at the very least - polite to be granted an audience.

In contemporary language: chill out, dude.

[JinMTVT]

Originally posted by 454Casull
JinMTVT, petitioners must be - at the very least - polite to be granted an audience.

In contemporary language: chill out, dude.

ahhaha
ok i am sorry , was i rude ?
i sometimes write in english as i learned and hear from all around, and dont recognize some emotions i may include in the text.

was not my intention if any is ..sorry again

[Variac]

I suspect that there are not that many people here that know THAT much about electrostat construction- although one of your respondants does, I happen to know

So, if you don't get anyone that can help you or is interested in helping you, you will just have to try again later I guess.

Sometimes people are busy, or building an amp or God forbid -working!! As someone pointed out- no one is under any obligation to answer your queries..