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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
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.
comchenry's avatar
comchenry OP
43 posts
 
My understanding is that Apogee is no longer in business. Should I be concerned about reliability and support?
douglikesaudio
118 posts
 
Good question, Comchenry. Apogee is out of busines. However, their products have a good life-span in my experience. Plus, being out of business, their products are underpriced in the used market. If you do need repairs, there are two people making and repairing ribbons. One of these people is an ex-Apogee employee. Find info on the speakers and repairs at: http://www.apogeespeakers.totalserve.co.uk/ and http://audioworld.com/cgibin/sw/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&number=1. Between these sites, Comchenry, you will find lots on Apogees.

Apogees really are something special. And for the price they go for now, they are a bargain. Centaurs run about $400-500 commonly, and stages often less than a grand. These are great values! Having said all this, no one speaker is everything to everyone. But for the price, you can great one helluva speaker.
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