A remark on another thread got me thinking, as it was suggested that Electrostatics, either hybrid or pure, would "wipe the floor" with conventional "box" speakers.
I'm interested in getting opinions from those who have either heard or owned/own them, as I've never had the pleasure. This is purely academic as nobody stocks them where I live.
When I think of Electrostatics, I think of 2 x 6' trellis (up which you could grow a Clematis) in your living room.
They have to be at least 6' away from the wall behind them (as sound not confined), and are very picky about the way they are set up. They need lots of power from from well partnered, expensive ancillaries. Also, due to the beamed nature of the sound, have a very small sweetspot, which can sometimes be no further back, than the speakers are appart.
To get decent bass they have to be very tall, or amalgamated with a sub (which can give intergration problems), and I have no idea how they would work with AV.
By their nature they are often expensive (though Maggies appear to give good value), and may be much better with certain types of music than with others.
Is this a speaker that only works for classical music loving rich bachelors, who live in converted warehouses, and are not interested in AV?......or are we all missing out?
I'm interested in getting opinions from those who have either heard or owned/own them, as I've never had the pleasure. This is purely academic as nobody stocks them where I live.
When I think of Electrostatics, I think of 2 x 6' trellis (up which you could grow a Clematis) in your living room.
They have to be at least 6' away from the wall behind them (as sound not confined), and are very picky about the way they are set up. They need lots of power from from well partnered, expensive ancillaries. Also, due to the beamed nature of the sound, have a very small sweetspot, which can sometimes be no further back, than the speakers are appart.
To get decent bass they have to be very tall, or amalgamated with a sub (which can give intergration problems), and I have no idea how they would work with AV.
By their nature they are often expensive (though Maggies appear to give good value), and may be much better with certain types of music than with others.
Is this a speaker that only works for classical music loving rich bachelors, who live in converted warehouses, and are not interested in AV?......or are we all missing out?