Planar speaker that don't require herculean amp?

I'm a Sound Lab dealer, and frankly the only Sound Labs that I think would work well with your amps are the hybrid Dynastats. They are definitely among the easier electrostats to drive even among hybrids, and show up used from time to time within your price range.

Quad electrostats are easier to drive than the big full-range Sound Labs are. Thirty-five watts would be still be marginal, unless you went for rebuilt ESL's (the originals, commonly called "57's"). They'd be within your price range, and they are absolutely lovely in the midrange but can be easily damaged by too much power (doesn't sound like you're into headbanger levels, though). Several people rebuild and/or offer rebuilt '57's; you might try inquiring for leads here:

http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/MUG/bbs.html

Another possibility is Newform Research. I'm under the impression that their model 645 ribbon hybrid isn't such a beastly load. They have a loyal following.

Best of luck in your quest!

Duke

Thanks Dave for the suggestion on the Apogees. I did some research on them, and from what I read, they seem that they are a difficult load and require powerful amps. I would be interested to know how well that guy's sixpacs work with the Caliper Signatures. I am running a slighly less powerful configuration with my sixpacs with the KT66 tubes instead of the supplied EL34's. Let me know how your Rogue amps handle the Duettas.

- Stew

Thanks Duke for the response and email. That's too bad about the R-3's, but they're probably out of my price range anyhow. I'm not really interested in the Dynastats, as I am looking for a non-hybrid panel. I already have the Entec subwoofers, so don't need to worry about anything below 80Hz.

The Quad ESL-57 is a very interesting suggestion. This speaker certainly seems to have a loyal following! I am a little worried about SPL levels however. It appears I listen at levels that are a little higher than I thought. I did a few SPL measurements with my RS meter, which were showing values of up to 97db or so at 1 meter. This was a level that would be about the maximum that I would need. Can the ESL-57 (cut off below 80Hz) handle this SPL? Would stacking the panels, as I've read seems to be a popular option, be able to handle higher SPL's?

- Stew

Stew

Here is a link to a post our forum member (jaragaki) made regarding his new sixpacks and Calipers.

http://audioworld.com/sw/Forum1/HTML/004560.html

I'm sure that you could also email him with any questions you may have.

Dave

Thanks Dave... I'll take a look.