Eton 8.1's or Apogee Slant 6


I'm trying to decide which of the two would be my best choice. I have several amps both tube and solid state to drive them. My room is only 14' x 13'. A box yes. But which of the two do you think would sound the best? I like detail and transparency. I also want dynamics and power at lower listening levels. I have owned Apogees before and really like them but I know nothing of the Eton 8.1's. One last thing I'm using Spicas at the moment and they sound wonderfully with 2 subs. What's your opinion? Which speaker should I consider?
recordho
Apogees are not known to do well with subs. It is a mismatch between the fast ribbon and the slower box. Having owned Apogees before, you probably know that.

The Slant 6 is Apogees smallest floor speaker. I have heard it in much smaller enclosures, and with a precious tube amp, the realism is breathtaking.

For your size room, I would look for the Slant 8. or a Centaur. They will fill the room better. You must be very careful the speaker is in good working condition.

Like this one

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1267540743&/Apogee-Centaur-Major-ribbon-sp

As for the Eto, it's a nice box.
I agree w/ Muralman1, mostly. The Slant 6 is great, I think that the later but more rare Cepheus 6 is better because it has provides more and better bass and arguably has a better crossover network. I have owned both and I prefer the sound of the Cepheus to the Slant.

Apogee hybrid ribbons are exceptional speakers but they do require a couple of things be just right:
1- They need room to breathe. A 14x13 room might work if the room is not too bright, but it is definately on the smaller side of preferred. I think that a Slant 8 is way too much speaker for your room size.
2- They are very inefficient and need need plenty of power. You will need a pretty beefy tube amp get decent bass, and that will be both expensive and challenging in a smaller room. The classic pairing w/ APogee hybrids is a "warmer" SS amp like the McCormack DNA 1or 2; the CJ 2250 or the similar Sonographe SA-250 or better yet the SA-400. I have also used a Krell KAV-250 w/ good results but the sound is a little on the dry and brittle side.

Finally, these things are almost impossible to ship easily so plan on a local deal or making a road trip to pick them up.
I heard the slant 6's once in a store demo. Voices were definitely in your face. I tried to move back but ran out of room. Just my 2 cents. Dan