Planar Speaker Asylum

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Planar Speaker Asylum

HiFiNews Apogee Caliper May 1, 1987

108.245.106.95

This entry level model uses a type of planer driver, with the aluminum backed by Kapton. Unlike the top of the line models which use "pure aluminum ribbons". Recently I heard the Full Range model in Indianapolis IN, at Audio Solutions (great audio dealer). I found the bass was very one note, however the image and soundstage were excellent.
https://www.hifinews.com/content/high-caliper (Open in New Window)

Follow Ups:

RE: HiFiNews Apogee Caliper May 1, 1987 - josh358 08:46:14 07/02/20 (1)
The bass is one note for the same reason that it's extended -- all the energy is at the bottom of their range, and didn't have enough energy in the midbass. The reason Maggies don't go as deep is because they're optimized to be flatter.

Not sure if this is true of every Apogee model, though -- I've seen measurements of some models that have the very obvious resonant peak, but others don't seem to have it. Perhaps they optimized their design as they went along.
- RE: HiFiNews Apogee Caliper May 1, 1987 - Roger Gustavsson 09:10:13 07/03/20 (0)
  Apogee improved their speakers over time. Later Duetta Signature or Diva are really nice. A friend of mine have restored a pair of Duettas last year, sounds great, far better then new. He will continue with a pair of Scintillas.
Was a HUGE Apogee fan, but? Some models really never drew me in... - David S. 14:17:17 06/29/20 (2)
Never heard any form of the "Duetta" that I liked.

I think the "Caliper" was along those lines.

Models I totally fell over for?

Scintilla. <-- go ahead & underline, or "bold" that one.

Diva. Sounded GREAT in a number of occasions, but biggest memory was in ABQ, NM, driven by Krell KRS top to bottom. WOW! Sounded great in Orlando, FL, too.

Never heard the "Full Range," or some of the much later stuff.

Owned? Had a pair of "Stages," and they REALLY delivered, in many respects, and sold them for more than what I'd paid for them.

If I had the room/space, the proper system, and the "perfect/new pair?" I'd have some Scintillas, today!
- RE: Was a HUGE Apogee fan, but? Some models really never drew me in... - Green Lantern 18:24:56 06/29/20 (1)
  I owned a pair of Dutetta sigs for a couple years, Love the heck out of them and regret selling them but my MG20s forced me to.
  I think they were designed to compete with Jim Winey's 3 series; and they became if I'm not mistaken their best selling speaker.
  A pair of Diva's (and in pristine according to the owner) and a pair of Scintilla's popped up at the same time in L.A. (two different areas, about 3 hours from me) BOTH for the least amount of money I've ever seen.
  I decided at $1800 I would shoot for the Diva's; even went as far as planning the route and looked at u-haul vans online but pulled out. Reason being I had too many speakers as it is and I would've been stuck in the same conundrum with the Duettas: owning two great speakers, so which one will I keep?
  With the Duettas I owned they sounded just as good -if not better than my MG20s but that meant I would've had to sell the 20's, and the problem with that is if the Duetta's were to start buzzing/needing repair there's really no recourse for me (I've seen the rebuild video, no thanks) and the folks up in Reno although they do an outstanding job, for that kind of money I could buy a new pair of 20.7s. By contrast a complete 'rebuild' of a MG20 (at the time) was only $1400. So I bailed on the Divas.
  Each time I see a Duetta post I'm tempted to email the gentleman I sold them to just to see how they were holding up.
  
  Edits: 06/29/20
  - RE: Was a HUGE Apogee fan, but? Some models really never drew me in... - Davey 18:46:06 06/29/20 (0)
    Yeah, longevity is the basic problem with the Apogee's. Eventually, all of them will fail with foam rot, and then you're left in a terrible position to either invest a large chunk of change for a certified repair job or just junk them.
    Unlike many other speaker systems, these were just not build to last.
    
    Dave.
RE: HiFiNews Apogee Caliper May 1, 1987 - Terry 04:54:51 06/28/20 (0)
I had a pair of Calipers for a few years and never really cared for them. I went from those to a nice, late edition pair of Quad ESLs and there was simply no contest. The Quads are/were in another league.
Terry
RE: HiFiNews Apogee Caliper May 1, 1987 - Utley1 19:29:15 06/27/20 (0)
The DUETTA rattled and flapped like crazy with organ music even with KRELL'S. Even 1988 the balance was screwy-took years to get right for my friend.

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