Kingsound King II vs King

I have heard them both. The King II is more diffuse especially in the highs - the panel is like the Prince II. If you like Quads then you'll likely love it. The King is like an ultra-wide two way with superb coherence tipped on its side. If you like Maggies you will have no issues with it's sound.

I wrote up the King on Dagogo.com and own it.

What gear will you use with it?

Mark, a very nice summary of your experiences. The Magneplanar 20.1 also has good low end, but one must determine if they like the magnetic planar sound or the ESL sound - they are distinct. I find that in general I am sensitive to the larger driver panels, whether magnetic planar or ESL, whether Maggie or Martin Logan. I prefer what's happening in the King, an array of smaller panels. That produces what to my ears is a tighter, more precise sound. Quad also uses this concept of segmented panels, however they have what I consider a serious weakness in the lack of low end, which the King has addressed.

The differences between the King and King II, if the King II prototype I saw at CES is close to the final product, are fundamental. The panel of the King II is like the Prince II. This would likely yield an absolute improvement in detail, however also as I said likely more diffuse sound. That is, the treble, mid, bass seemed to radiate across the face of the speaker versus from a localized source. This is a nuance, but if one had not heard both then it likely would not occur to the listener.

The power amp makes a huge difference in the performance of the speaker, as does the power supply of the speaker. If the King II is as tough to drive as the Prince II, then it could be quite challenging for your amps. You will want to ask questions of King's Audio about that particular aspect prior to purchase, or else you may find yourself looking at a power amp mismatch. If you like the King in a demo with the stock wall wart power supplies, you'll like them even more with upgraded P.S. You can tweak the sound of the power supplies with aftermarket cables. You'll get different sound with silver ofc vs. copper power cords.

Mark, yes, the outboard power supply and the panel construction are the two main differences - at least in the prototype seen at CES.

Yes, the nature of the frame being held together with metal bolts is such that when shipped, upon reception the owner should check the bolts to make sure they're tight. No biggie. I did the same with the Eminent Technology LFT-VI I have. I think I found two not quite snug bolts on my pair of King speakers. 1/8 turn and done. There was certainly nothing loose on my pair.

Can't know if the King II is harder to drive than the King unless specs compared or trial is conducted. King's Audio should know.

Grannyring, when I first got the King I also thought it a bit forward or aggressive, but not after adding the VAC Royal Power Supply and trying tube amp(s). I have to laugh; at one point due to the output switch on the Ayon CD-5 player I was able to try the budget phenom Peachtree Audio Nova with the King! It sounded better than it had a right to! :)

Grannyring, power supplies are important for ESLs. I think that's one reason that King's Audio wanted to revisit their power supply for the King II. A reworked power supply with a panel like the Prince II has would potentially be a very good combination. Sounded good for a show demo at CES!

I think the power supply in the Soundlab is built in. However, you should be able to work with power cords. I typically keep some silver ofc and all copper power cords so that I can mix them as I see fit. It (different brands and conductor material) makes a surprising difference in an ESL speaker's sound. Easily audible; if not I wouldn't waste time on it. I don't pay attention to tweaks which are not significant/easily heard.

Gotta get to writing. :)