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ElectrostatsPlaner/Ribbon s Vs Cone driv

I have owned Proacs, B&W Nautilus, Theils and others but never planers. I auditioned ML Arieus but was not taken with the musicality and the other models too big for my room. No other dealers nearby to demo Maggies, etc.
I know the general differences of the two design concepts, but I am trying to determine if there is a smallish planer design that would give nearly all the satisfaction I am getting from my BW Nautilus 805's with REL Strata Sub. In particular I would love to gain the lifesize soundstage and midrange wonder but not feel lacking by the lesser performance in high and low frequencies. I have a Levinson 331 amp and AR LS22 preamp. thanks for any experienced suggestions.
128x128comchenry
kenp
1 posts
 
I just returned Nautilus 805's and 804's, both with the B&W 1000 woofer. I found I could not tolerate the metal tweeter in the new Nautilus' (these replaced B&W P-6's I've enjoyed for years. I have purchased ML Ascents (size isn't an issue). The Maggie 1.6 and REL woof is a great combination.
jim
418 posts
 
Doug, which Apogee hybrid do you have? I went from Stages to Centaur's (26" ribbon/8" woofer) due to a move/smaller listening room and found the bass to be pretty good. Actually, pretty damn good. Maybe it was my room. I subsequently went to ML CLS's in a much larger room -- bass was not as good as the Centaurs. Now I've added Kinergetics SW800 sub towers (5 ten inch drivers in each enclosure) -- this mini-Statement system just slays. I think the Apogee hybrids are a solid recommendation. Low price of entry, hard to beat the ribbons for upper mids and highs.
comchenry's avatar
comchenry OP
43 posts
 
Thanks to all for responding. I have to pause for thought at Kenp's comment about not being able to tolerate the tweeter in the B&W Nautilus series. I have never heard a sweeter top end. Different strokes I guess, perhaps other compents in the chain are having an effect too.
If there is anyone who loves the Nautilus sound like I do and can tell me what I might be losing by going to the Maggie 1.6QR I would greatly appreciate hearing from you.
Thanks, Chet
douglikesaudio
118 posts
 
Jim, I made the same switch from Apogees to MLogans! I wish I had the room (and $) to go for the CLS/SW800 combo you have--man, am I one jealous cat! I heard your combo in the early 90's at a HiFi show, and it was fantastic. Now I run SL3s and like them for what they do--they are different from the Apogees. I used to run Centaurs. The bass is one area of big difference from one speaker to another. The Centaur has rich bass, while the SL3 is tight yet deeper. Kinda odd description, I know. In response to the original thread, the Centaur probably would be fine for all music on it's own. But since the thread says he already has a REL, I think he'd end up with a potent system. Jim--did you ever try to mate your Centaurs or Stages with a sub?
douglikesaudio
118 posts
 
BTW, Jim, why did you switch from Apogee to ML? Curious.
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