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In Reply to: RE: Acoustat Spectra 66 posted by blgtrio on February 08, 2017 at 07:03:08
300 watts/channel drives them nicely above 80 hz where a pair of subs handle bottom octaves duty.
Last year, I updated the cores in my Sound Lab U-1s to the PX type. I also moved from using a Touch renderer (now in garage) to a Sonore microRendu which improved resolution and provided better first octave response.
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Hello E-Stat, both your rooms look great. I'm sure you are enjoying your U-1's with the new PX cores. I had a pair of A-3's long ago but I had nothing but problems with them. They kept cutting out. I thought it was the OTL amps I was using but the problem persisted even with a different amp. I sold the amp and speakers and ventured into horns and SET amps for several years. In 2014 I decided to get back into Acoustats and have been very satisfied. I would love to hear the big Sound Labs sometime. I'm sure they sound amazing. Have you had a chance to hear the U-1BX subs? In the 80's I heard the A-1 with the B-1 subs at a show in NY, that was a revelation. I recently saw an ad on Agon for the A-1's and B-1's for around $7500 for all 4 pieces. If you have heard the U-1BX sub could you compare the U-1BX sub to the B-1 sub?
I had a pair of A-3's long ago but I had nothing but problems with them. They kept cutting out.
I've experienced no such difficulty with mine over the past eleven years. Cutting out? Did you contact your dealer or Roger about that?
If you have heard the U-1BX sub could you compare the U-1BX sub to the B-1 sub?
I have not. But the P rofessional e X tension cores are more rugged and can take higher output levels than previous versions. Also, the U ltimate series speakers use the tubular steel frames which are more rigid and are less resonant. Here is a pic of them along with U-1s courtesy of Brian Walsh. They are the ones in the center.
I think I'd like some separation in the middle as you find with a couple of instances on the SL installation page using standard B-1s.
Click here to view those.
Dr. West has recently changed the grid structure ("Bass Focus" series) so that both the top and the bottom sections are taller for supposedly even better and more linear bass response. They have also added a couple of smaller models (5' tall) called the U-4iA and Majestic 545.
I cannot imagine finding a better range of full range electrostatic speakers. As a coherency freak, I confess that I am not a fan of hybrids using dipolar panels and monopolar cone woofers operating up through the lower midrange.
Love the U1s.I almost got those but I decided on the ML CLXs because they were less money.I use them with the ML subs but you don't need a sub with the U1s.They go down to like 25hz I think.They may go even lower.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken
...but I decided on the ML CLXs because they were less money
I lucked out and bought mine used from Duke (just refurbished and shipped directly from Sound Lab) for a good price.
While the CLX ends up being a three-way design, the U-1PX with double the panel area does offer excellent first octave response for a single panel full range stat much like the Spectra 66.
The new panels offer a gradual "loudness compensation" rise at the bottom. 25 hz is now there at the same level as 160 hz, but not to the degree of relative linearity as 30 hz. Here are comparative before and after third octave plots:
They're not going to fully pressurize the room with the low C in Saint Saen's Orgel-Symphone , but nevertheless offer wonderful clarity and texture down there. Ideally, I'd add a pair of U-1BX subs with their double diaphragms and flat panel grid. :)
You can buy direct from Soundlab and many times they will give it to you at dealer cost because there are no dealers anywhere to be found in many areas being so exotic.Even at dealer price,they are very expensive but that is a very seductive speaker.I knew they were flat down to 30hz at least and they have done a phenomenal job getting that speaker balance right.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken
You can buy direct from Soundlab
You are mistaken. There are enough Sound Lab dealers today such that what you say is not done. Don't ask me how I know. :)
This was 9 years ago.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken
they are committed to their dealer network. :)
There is more to the story but I can't discuss it here but yes,a friend of mine bought a pair direct because there were no dealers in the state.This was back at a time when we had the real-estate crash and Soundlabs is a small company with literally 10 people.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken
Things change. BTW, as a software developer, I am innately a stickler for details. The actual company name is Sound Lab . :)
And I've visited their modest facility in UT and met the people who built mine. Good folks!
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