Planar Speaker Asylum

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Planar Speaker Asylum

High-end audio prices have been going up out of proportion to...

75.177.35.201

In Reply to: RE: Wow, thanks! posted by E-Stat on December 07, 2024 at 18:59:03

general inflation for the last 10 years or so. There are clearly other factors in play here. One likely factor is lots of very well-heeled foreign buyers driving prices up for everyone.

Mark in NC
"The thought that life could be better is woven indelibly into our hearts and our brains" -Paul Simon

Follow Ups:

RE: High-end audio prices have been going up out of proportion to... - saucyworchester 09:07:56 12/09/24 (19)
A prudent family of four can live for a year on the price of a pair of speakers.
- And with either - E-Stat 09:40:31 12/11/24 (0)
  the Magico M9 or the Wilson Master Chronosonic among others you could fund retirement! ;)
- RE: High-end audio prices have been going up out of proportion to... - goryu 04:43:22 12/10/24 (17)
  The profit margin on these is not small. There are many diy electrostatics out there, as well as used speakers like Acoustats which seem to last forever. Those without deep pockets or an aversion to large profit margins have options. Heck, you can even pick up used Sound Labs for reasonable amounts- there is a nice used pair available locally for $3500!
  - Your advice works fine if... - E-Stat 08:54:29 12/11/24 (16)
    unconcerned with results.
    BTW, I've owned various Acoustats since 1977 - not in the same ball park. I continue to enjoy my updated pair of 1+1s in the HT system. :)
    
    Edits: 12/11/24
    - You might try the Spectra series, 4400 or 6600 if you want a better comparison. - goryu 15:23:06 12/11/24 (15)
      and I've heard Sound labs, several models over the years. The Acoustat Spectra 6600's are a more than able substitute for those both concerned about results and value. With the $40K one would save, you can buy great amps, 4 subs, DSP, room treatments, etc. and probably still have enough left for season tickets at your local concert hall. But then, you wouldn't be able to tell all your friends your speakers cost $50K...but not all of us are concerned with that result.
      - Disagree - E-Stat 15:38:36 12/11/24 (14)
        
        In Reply to: RE: You might try the Spectra series, 4400 or 6600 if you want a better comparison. posted by goryu on December 11, 2024 at 15:23:06
        
        The Acoustat Spectra 6600's are a more than able substitute for those
        
        Listened extensively to a pair of Spectra 6600s before buying my U-1s. None of the Acoustat products has the same level of transparency much less the superior imaging of the Sound Lab products due to the faceted panels.
        
        But then, you wouldn't be able to tell all your friends your speakers cost $50K...but not all of us are concerned with that result.
        
        Sorry, my observations have nothing to do with price.
        
        RE: Disagree - goryu 16:28:26 12/11/24 (13)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Disagree posted by E-Stat on December 11, 2024 at 15:38:36
        
        Guess you didn't have them set up correctly as my experiences have been just the opposite. Proper room treatment and dsp is a game changer. No need for $50K speakers with $2000 in room treatment and dsp. My observations have everything to do with price.
        
        Which Sound Lab model did you hear - E-Stat 16:43:23 12/11/24 (12)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Disagree posted by goryu on December 11, 2024 at 16:28:26
        
        and when? Perhaps you didn't hear the Sound Labs properly set up. ;)
        
        The quality of parts used throughout reflects the budget. Also, note that Acoustat used rugged, but thick 17 micron diaphragms vs. 2.5 for Sound Lab products. From a practical standpoint, however, one brand is long dead while the other is very much alive. Good luck finding replacement transformers for Acoustat products today.
        
        It's true I use a modicum of room treatments to achieve rather linear response in the Schroeder frequencies. Pics found in my gallery.
        
        RE: Which Sound Lab model did you hear - goryu 17:01:37 12/11/24 (11)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Which Sound Lab model did you hear posted by E-Stat on December 11, 2024 at 16:43:23
        
        I don't recall specific model numbers but at least 3-4 different models over the last 10 years.
        
        Yeah, it's possible they weren't set up optimally. That doesn't change the price/performance metric. No doubt they sound great. They should for their price. They should do the laundry and wash the dishes too for $50K.
        
        Acoustats are indeed rugged. Many are still in service after 30-40 years. Transformers can be ordered. I could probably get a freight car full for the cost of the Sound Labs.
        
        Room treatments only get one so far as you have noted.
        
        So you can't answer the question - E-Stat 17:44:13 12/11/24 (10)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Which Sound Lab model did you hear posted by goryu on December 11, 2024 at 17:01:37
        
        Got it.
        That doesn't change the price/performance metric.
        Exactly. You simply cannot find any Acoustat at the same level of performance. The large Sound Lab models are not intended as a "budget" solution. Folks like me were interested in better. :)
        Room treatments only get one so far as you have noted.
        Kindly quote the text that gave you that incorrect impression. I use what's necessary to effectively take the room out of the equation. Without adding unnecessary processing into the signal path.
        Diffusion addresses room challenges DSP cannot.
        BTW, kindly reference the source of replacement Acoustat transformers. Should another fail with mine, that could be useful information. The one I obtained was from former Acoustat engineer Roy Esposito who also updated my interfaces ten years ago with his "Air Mod" that bypasses the wire wound rheostat at the top. Alas, he has retired.
        
        Edits: 12/11/24 12/11/24
        
        RE: So you can't answer the question - goryu 06:45:46 12/12/24 (9)
        
        In Reply to: RE: So you can't answer the question posted by E-Stat on December 11, 2024 at 17:44:13
        
        I did answer the question, just not to your satisfaction apparently.
        
        Obviously in my opinion I have found an Acoustat at the same level of performance and at a fraction of the cost. Speak for yourself. And by the way, what is your metric for performance? Why does it seem like you are simply touting your personal, biased, subjective opinion and acting like this "performance" is an objective fact? Who wouldn't pay $$$$$ for something and not think it's the best thing around? Sorry, but your opinion means nothing to me.
        
        Your said you treat up to the Schroeder frequency. That's a limit dsp doesn't have. You haven't taken the room out of the equation. Perhaps your decreased hearing ability at higher frequencies makes further correction unnecessary.
        
        Yes, cranky Roy retired. The new guy knows where to order transformers.
        
        Your answer covers about a dozen possibilities - E-Stat 07:09:34 12/12/24 (8)
        
        In Reply to: RE: So you can't answer the question posted by goryu on December 12, 2024 at 06:45:46
        
        Mine covered one.
        
        And by the way, what is your metric for performance?
        
        Faithfulness to live, unamplified music. Transparency. Tonal balance. Freedom from beaming.
        
        Who wouldn't pay $$$$$ for something and not think it's the best thing around?
        
        Perhaps you buy stuff before auditioning and hope for the best. LOL!
        
        The new guy knows where to order transformers.
        
        So, you are still speculating. Got it!
        
        RE: Your answer covers about a dozen possibilities - goryu 08:02:10 12/12/24 (7)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Your answer covers about a dozen possibilities posted by E-Stat on December 12, 2024 at 07:09:34
        
        "Faithfulness to live, unamplified music. Transparency. Tonal balance. Freedom from beaming."
        
        Those aren't metrics, they're subjective impressions. Like I said, you are just sharing your personal opinion, which isn't fact and will differ depending on the listener. You are free to think your overpriced speakers are the best thing in the world, and I am sure for you and others who bought them, they are. As I said, I have heard several models over the years and in my opinion, the Acoustat 6600, with dsp, are preferable. Not everyone shares your opinion. Get over it.
        
        I have spoken with Mike, the new guy, on several occasions. He tells me he can get new transformers. He's a few hours away. I have no reason to not believe him. He has worked on radio telescopes for 30 years. He knows what he's doing. Look him up and ask him before assuming I am speculating.
        
        Mike who? - E-Stat 09:00:48 12/12/24 (6)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Your answer covers about a dozen possibilities posted by goryu on December 12, 2024 at 08:02:10
        
        Hours away from where?
        
        If comes as no surprise you're not very detail oriented. :)
        
        RE: Mike who? - goryu 10:58:21 12/12/24 (3)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Mike who? posted by E-Stat on December 12, 2024 at 09:00:48
        
        It comes as no surprise that you are too lazy to do your own homework. Try google- it's an internet search engine many find useful.
        
        Thanks for - E-Stat 12:13:19 12/12/24 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Mike who? posted by goryu on December 12, 2024 at 10:58:21
        
        the helpful community spirit!
        
        Speaking of whining.... - goryu 15:21:06 12/12/24 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Thanks for posted by E-Stat on December 12, 2024 at 12:13:19
        
        nt
        
        Happy Holidays to you :) -nt - E-Stat 15:34:03 12/12/24 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Speaking of whining.... posted by goryu on December 12, 2024 at 15:21:06
        
        RE: Mike who? - saucyworchester 09:27:16 12/12/24 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Mike who? posted by E-Stat on December 12, 2024 at 09:00:48
        
        OK guys, enough is enough. 'Tis the season and all. I'm still trying to sell my 1.6 QRS pair which brought me a couple of decades worth of listening pleasure.
        
        Merry Christmas - Happy Hanukka - May Festivus reign!
        
        Seems - E-Stat 09:57:28 12/12/24 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Mike who? posted by saucyworchester on December 12, 2024 at 09:27:16
        
        whiners are not very helpful.
        
        Good luck on your sale!

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