I have acoustat 2+2's now, but someone in my area is selling ESS AMT1 towers for $350.
I have heard amt's only once, about 25 years ago and frankly, don't remember much about them.
How do they compare? Pros and cons? I was thinking of putting them next to the 2=2's, switch between 2=2's and amt1's whenever the mood struck.
I have heard amt's only once, about 25 years ago and frankly, don't remember much about them.
How do they compare? Pros and cons? I was thinking of putting them next to the 2=2's, switch between 2=2's and amt1's whenever the mood struck.
No harm in doing that.
But there is a vast sonic difference between the two.
Could be fun, or not depending on what you like and what you hear.
But there is a vast sonic difference between the two.
Could be fun, or not depending on what you like and what you hear.
I have both in my listening room right now. The answer is of course based on listening preference, but the ESS Heil tweeter is amazingly clear and lifelike. Pity the woofers used by ESS never had the speed to match them. Both pairs have about the same WAF, that is to say, zero.
The Acoustat 2+2 is a beautiful expression of single-minded engineering, a listening experience for just one person. The biggest problem is their size to sweetspot ratio, it has to be the closest thing to a pair of headphones I've ever heard. So obviously the ESS is more fun for more than one. But I'd rather listen to the Acoustats with the right amplifier (I use a Denon POA-2400) for critical listening than just about any other pair.
Now to see if my new discovery, a pair of Dayton Wright XG-10's can dethrone the Acoustats.
The Acoustat 2+2 is a beautiful expression of single-minded engineering, a listening experience for just one person. The biggest problem is their size to sweetspot ratio, it has to be the closest thing to a pair of headphones I've ever heard. So obviously the ESS is more fun for more than one. But I'd rather listen to the Acoustats with the right amplifier (I use a Denon POA-2400) for critical listening than just about any other pair.
Now to see if my new discovery, a pair of Dayton Wright XG-10's can dethrone the Acoustats.
You can still buy NEW ESS speakers with the Heil driver to this day. They are somewhere in Southern CA. The AMT's can be a fun speaker with some modifications and they aren't too amp fussy. I was working n the hifi industry when the AMT-1 was released and Nelson pass was working for ESS in Sacramento. Those were the days!
The Acoustats are way too fragile. I had a friend that was a dealer for them in the 80's and he had lots of issues. The Dayton Wrights need to be nitrogen filled or they will arc out. It's difficult to tell the status of the nitrogen fill on those.
Mark
The Acoustats are way too fragile. I had a friend that was a dealer for them in the 80's and he had lots of issues. The Dayton Wrights need to be nitrogen filled or they will arc out. It's difficult to tell the status of the nitrogen fill on those.
Mark
Common mis-perception on the Acoustats, they are very durable. Mine survived in a barn, uncovered, unheated, and with a vacuuming and some working over with a hairdryer are running perfectly.
Also incorrect on the Dayton Wrights, its SF6 (Sulfer Hexaflouride) that was used, and other than the bags being punctured by cats claws, which still will not entirely degass the bags because the gas is heavier than air, they are built with amazing military spec quality and strength. The frames are welded for strength. Let's not make generalizations about durability without firsthand experience and facts.
Also incorrect on the Dayton Wrights, its SF6 (Sulfer Hexaflouride) that was used, and other than the bags being punctured by cats claws, which still will not entirely degass the bags because the gas is heavier than air, they are built with amazing military spec quality and strength. The frames are welded for strength. Let's not make generalizations about durability without firsthand experience and facts.
I worried that after degassing the bags, my cat would be overwhelmed and suffocated as the gas displaced the oxygen at ground level.. so I passed on a pair a while back.
Shame as I'd have loved to have tried them (were offered to me at £500 a couple of years ago)
No misconceptions on the Acoustats Sparky! Almost all of the sets sold at my business partner's high end store ended up being shipped back to Acoustats for repair, some sets went in multiple times. Now the panels are made in China! Perhaps they will be more reliable.
Mark
Mark
Which Acoustat model(s) did he have issues with? I've heard/seen three pairs of Spectra 11 panels in Sweden that works flawlessly even after twenty years without service.
I honestly don't remember the model numbers but Imdo seem to remember most of the returns were power supply issues. This was back in the early 90's. He had no issues with Quad electrostat's and he eventually dropped Acoustat and took on Dynaudio to replace the line. I ended up with a pair of Dynaudio's from his first order of Dynaudio's and I still own them today.
Mark
Mark
Power supply issues?
That's trivial. It's the cells that one cares about. Repairing the supply is quite easy. The cells are arguably the most "robust" ever made.
That's trivial. It's the cells that one cares about. Repairing the supply is quite easy. The cells are arguably the most "robust" ever made.
I have had at least five pairs of Accoustats - 2+2 (2 sets), Model 3, Model 2, Model 1 Spectra 11, and Spectra 22.
Even stripped naked nasty panels that looked horrible (worn coating, sooty), the panels still sounded great. And the 121 electronic interfaces are very simple. may need a $.50 Diode or .01uf 6000v cap replacement here or there.....
The SPectra interfaces with wallwarts were a bit unreliable...but there was a simple fix for them too...these Acoustats had to be the most durable and delicate sounding speakers I have ever had.
Even stripped naked nasty panels that looked horrible (worn coating, sooty), the panels still sounded great. And the 121 electronic interfaces are very simple. may need a $.50 Diode or .01uf 6000v cap replacement here or there.....
The SPectra interfaces with wallwarts were a bit unreliable...but there was a simple fix for them too...these Acoustats had to be the most durable and delicate sounding speakers I have ever had.
Eh, what's this now? ACOUSTATS are unreliable? Dammit you guys been lyin to me! Well i best toss my 35 year old Model 3s in the bin and pick up a vintage pair of Maggie's.. Or maybe some old MLs. One can never be too safe!
Seriously, the only things I can add.. I have Acoustats in my listening room amped S/S and JansZen Z900s amped tube in my living room. They both sound completely different. I love listening to both.
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.
Seriously, the only things I can add.. I have Acoustats in my listening room amped S/S and JansZen Z900s amped tube in my living room. They both sound completely different. I love listening to both.
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.
I've never had a problem with any interface I've had in various models, in past 35 yrs, If you want to blast the **** out of a speaker, Get Cerwin Vegas, Acoustats need some degree of respect.
I have at least heard both--the AMT 1 in 1973 while in college and just sniffing around local shops in Orange county. I have maybe a dozen audio experiences that are etched in to my brain and this was one as I had never heard anything but round MC speakers. Guy played some Fleetwood Mac when Green was with the band. Tears came to my eyes over the beauty of the reproduction. 30 years later I had the privilege of hearing some accoustats 2+2--must of been early-mid eighties. I liked those too, but seemed wimpy, and there is no way I can tolerate a wimpy speaker. I'd as soon have big Maggies pushed hard with a couple of small amps, and I could live there. All a matter of tastes and preference.
I will say this--I think the Heil driver was a breakthru and even toyed with the thought of buying the top of the line Aurum Cantus AMT's. PE doesnt have the same exact AC drivers under Dayton but possibly sourcedffactory
I will say this--I think the Heil driver was a breakthru and even toyed with the thought of buying the top of the line Aurum Cantus AMT's. PE doesnt have the same exact AC drivers under Dayton but possibly sourcedffactory
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AMT's will take over. They get something more right than about any tweeter short of a RAAL and play lower. Efficiency, nuance and can knock your hat off. They play nice in flares and when cooked are very replaceable. First AMT's I heard was in college and it changed my views forever. Acoustat OK, but a bit of a wimp.Certainly at this point if it were me i would pass on the kludgy ESS design and look to Dayton on the low end if price spectrum and if really brave consider the Aurum Cantus. WE can argue about the price but their high end speakers have collected tons of accolades--just not much interestor ability to get them to the states.
My last loved ones were ripped off in broad daylight 4 weeks to the day, I think Heils are gonna be the top end.
My last loved ones were ripped off in broad daylight 4 weeks to the day, I think Heils are gonna be the top end.
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