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In Reply to: RE: Acoustat 33 posted by blgtrio on March 31, 2015 at 17:38:32
Well I recently paid $1000 Canadian (approximately $800US at current exchange)for a good working pair of Spectra 22 and felt that was a fair price (not cheap not expensive). These speakers are coming up to 30 years old however, so some work on the electronics may be needed soon.
For the Spectra 33s maybe around $1100 or $1200 U.S. dollars would be fair.
A good condition pair Spectra 22 or 33 are great speakers once you get them working properly in a room.
Follow Ups:
Thanks Mendel for responding. I have been talking to the guy who has them for sale. He would sell them for $1300 including driving them 350 miles to meet me 1/2 way. I think that seems to be a fair deal.
If you have the room for them and they are in good shape GO FOR IT!
They are great speakers and getting harder to find.
Mendel,
How are your Acoustats working out for you? Initially your reports sounded as though you were a little disappointed in them. Then I seem to recall further reports where you'd given them a thorough cleaning and you sounded more encouraged. Interested to know how you feel about them now you've had them for a while? Hoping we didn't steer you wrong on the purchase recco.
Mike
Hi Sondek and bigtrio!
I have now had my Spectra 22 for just under 6 months and finally feel like I am getting great sound in my small room. I wish I had maybe 3 or 4 more feet of length so I could bring the speakers out a little further into the room, but I feel the room size compliments the acoustic output of the two panels per side. I can get lots of output and dynamics with my 90 watt tube amp.
The biggest issues I have had are dealing with the directivity of the output (compared to point source type of speakers) and the (ruthlessly) revealing nature of the speakers. Firstly, these speakers tell you about everything that is happening upstream of them. I have had to totally redo my turntable setup and spent days (weeks?) adjusting VTA and VTF. Lots of tube rolling in amp and preamp. Different isolation devices and acoustic tuning for the room. Every change is obvious thru these speakers.
With regards to the directivity, the sound changes with even a 1/2 inch movement of the speakers or even a small shift in toe in. To much toe in and you get great detail and a wider sweet spot, but the sound comes of the panels. Too little toe in and the sound floats free of the speakers but is less detailed a not as focused. When you get it right, when everything is right, it can be magical. Close your eyes and you are there magical. But it has been a lot of work. Definitely not speakers for the faint of heart. These are true hobbiest speakers.
I strongly feel that you must remove the factory "socks" to fully hear the magic of these speakers. And I have no doubt that upgrading the electronics in the interfaces (now approaching 30 years old) with modern caps and resistors will make them sound even bettor. But they are sounding so good right now as is that I am in no rush.
Your story with them so far sure reminds me of myself when I got my Monitor 4s. A-ffriggin-men on the ruthlessly revealing comment. If you have a week link anywhere in the chain before them they will make it their job to point it out to you in no uncertain terms. The optimum distance from the wall behind them is around 36 to 38 inches. Mine are 38 from the wall behind, 6' apart on center, and the listening spot is 9'. I have them toed in an never completely satisfied with the toe. It's almost like adjusting the toe per rrecording. It's not that bad but I seem to screw with toe more frequently than I ever did when I had Vandy's. The other thing you said about them being a hobbyist speaker is so true too. Like having a vintage sports car. Soooooo much fun, but, as you said, not for the faint of heart.
Edits: 04/04/15
Hi Mendel, that's cool how you have everything suspended from the ceiling. Just kidding. Post some more pics preferably right side up. I agree with you, about the stock sock. It is a burlap material and veils the sound considerably. I used a spandex material which is acoustically much more transparent.
Hey the picture looks right to me!
Here is one from the side view,
I loved my Spectra 2200s...even better than my Spectra 4400s!
They will tell you everything that your upstream system is doing...and the better you feed these speakers the better they will sound. I had seriously expensive gear on mine over the years and they were a reviewer's dream...making all changes very obvious and easy to spot.
Hello Morricab, I have read many of your threads regarding Acoustats with great interest. I'm glad you responded to this thread. A few months ago I bought a pair of Acoustat model 3's with red Medallion interfaces and that was my first experience with the side by side panels. My 1+1's and 2+2's I have listened to off and on since 1986. In my listening room there is something very special with the soundstage on these model 3's. I really like them. To me the difference is on the 3's the image seems to be more up front sounding as compared to the 1+1's and 2+2's the image seems to be more behind the speakers. I will be picking up my Spectra 33's from Ampzilla Joe this coming weekend so looking forward to the differences with the new panels and interfaces. I wish I knew how to stop buying Acoustat's but I guess that is the kid in me. It's always fun trying new toys.
Hi Mendel, It's funny you said "if you have the room go for it". I already have 1+1's, 2+2's, model 3's and within the next week and a half a pair of Spectra 33's. I am running out of room. I alternate between running any two pair of speakers simultaneously. I've been anxious to locate and find a pair of the 3 or 4 panel Spectra's. Do you own Acoustat's or used them in the past? If so which ones and how did you like them?
Picked up my new Spectra 33's yesterday. I have them assembled and let them charge overnite. Had a chance to listen to them today and they sound fantastic. Very pleased with the over all sound quality. great high frequency dispersion and the bass is very tight and deep. The midrange just floats an image. I think I am going to part with the 1+1's and 2+2's in case any one is interested in them. I will most likely advertise them on AAT and US audio Mart. Thanks to all of you that commented on my thread Acoustat Spectra 33.
I have the Spectra 33's and love them. I thought about changing the original socks. I have had the Monitor 4's and Model 3's(which blgtrio bought from me). I haven't upgraded any electonics at all on the 33's yet. That being said, the best thing that I have done, was picking up an Audire Parlando, all class A, 100 watt amp. Now that really made an improvement over the many previous amps that I used with Acoustats.
Hi Jeff, I have been enjoying the model 3's I bought from you. I was able to trade the non Medallion interfaces for a pair of red Medallion interfaces that included the "C" modification for $150 for the pair. The gentleman I bought the Spectra 33's from highly endorsed the Audire amplifier. He told me I should keep a look out for one becoming available. Can you expand on what improvements you experienced using the Audire Parlando amp over other amps you have used with the Acoustats?
Awesome speakers! Enjoy!
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