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In Reply to: RE: Acoustat (Spectra 22) Tweeks! (long) posted by Mendel on October 16, 2015 at 10:51:58
Heard Spectra 22s last weekend at a friends and they sound just like I remembered from my 2200s...ie. GOOODDD! Interestingly, the one real difference between the two models is the fabric of the "sock". The Spectra 2200 sock was MUCH thinner than the socks on his 22s and I assume your 22s. It is the same as what I had on the my 1+1s and I removed that as it was just too thick.
I also tweaked my power supplies to get the recommended 4.5KV (mine were low when I bought them).
Follow Ups:
Hi morricab.
Yes removing/replacing the socks on the older Acoustats is mandatory IMO otherwise the top end is muted. You definitely don't want to mute the top end on Acoustats.
My experiments on the felt pads on the back of the panels also show how important these are to the final sound. Funny, I have never heard anyone comment on this other than tyu. You need something to control the panel resonance but it does not need to be high end absorbing thick felt. These contribute to the "dark" sound some describe Acoustats as having (along with the thick socks).Currently have the large original piece of felt back in with the smaller pieces above and below replaced by masking tape. This seems to give the best balance between the bass and high frequencies. Would like to experiment with some thinner felt in these spots also.
Completely agree that having the bias supply at least 4.5KV and equal between speakers is critical. Higher is better IMO currently running just under 6KV with no problems.
These speakers seem to love power would like to try 250 watts a side (wish they could be tube watts but that sounds pricey!) as opposed to my current 90 watts per side tube amp.
Never had better sound or more fun in my listening room, playing with these 27 year old speakers. Thinking about doing the hair dryer retentioning alla E-Stat.
Long live Acoustat!
I and my friend both got the best sound by using a KR Audio VA350i 30 watt SET amp...power isn't what it needs...quality is.
Mendel,
It's been about five years and I have no idea if they still stock such things. But when I went looking for felt to replace some that had been lost, I found that McMaster-Carr sells felt strips in near identical thickness and dimension as the original stuff Acoustat used. As I recall, they also had felt in other thicknesses too.
Mike
Thanks for the info Mike!
I bought my Acoustat 2+2 new, they have the medalions, for many years I hated them, took big amps to get any kind of output from them, sound was dead, no life in them at all, no matter what amps I used on them, they spent 3/4's of thier life penned up in storage while I listened to my Infinitys and Apogee's. The average room size I placed them in was approx 15'w by 19'l and smaller.
I moved and bought a big school, huge rooms, 25x33' 10'3" cielings, I set the 2+2's up in one of them, I found out quickly what the problem was, THOSE speakers NEED room to BREATHE!!!!, takes 1/4 the power to achieve same volume of a small room, the whole freq range comes to life without beaming and smothered to death! crystal clear vocals, beautifull soundstage. You have't heard an Acoustat till it's set free and allowed to breathe. They will perform right up there with the best, just don't choke them to death. :) I have them now in a 33'by 80' room , and it's a no holds barred in performance. My Apogee's can't even compete with them.
Interesting , I have my Spectra's in a smallish 12 X16 man cave with 7 1/2 foot ceiling In a nearfield setup. Great sounding setup. Of course the 2+2 are a different animal with 4 panels per side and a true floor to ceiling line array. I can see them needing much more breathing room. Not surprised that you like them now, Acoustats definitely take a lot of effort to optimize but when you do they can provide superb preformance.
That's mighty high praise for them. The gentleman I bought my Monitor IVs from had his Acoustats set up in a room that was 30' X 45' (or there about). He was driving ten to twelve panels per side with two servos per side. It was very, very impressive. I have my IVs in a room that's 15x19x10. They sound awful damned good in near-field too. Wish I could hear your setup.
One of my best sounding systems was using Spectra 2200s from 100Hz and up and using Spectra 4400s as gigantic subwoofers. I used an Accuphase F25 active xover and two KR Audio VA350i SET amps to drive them both. The power of big Acoustats in the bass cannot be beat in my experience.
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