video about taking delivery of large electrostatic panels that replaced my TADs.

I have several genres of speakers used in reviewing, and when any of them are set up well, they are captivating. It would be difficult to make a blanket statement that one genre is superior to another (not suggesting that is your assertion). My friends ask me, "Which speaker is your favorite?" I reply, "Whichever one is playing in the listening room!" 

Great summation of speakers, but also the high-end in general, Douglas.  It's all different, but nevertheless most of what's considered to be outstanding, is indeed outstanding in its own right.  Trade-offs>pros>cons are always present (but as ol Blue Eyes intoned "That's Life").  Eventually, we decide on speakers and enjoy.  But wouldn't it be nice to have a two story warehouse where speakers could be easily hauled up & out of the way on elevators, to be easily replaced by a different pair of speakers du jour.  

Given all of the speakers that are available picking a pair is a daunting task. My advice re speakers is to pick a type -- i.e., boxed cones and domes, open baffles, hybrids of those combinations, horns and planars (ribbons, magnetics, electrostats etc.).  But most importantly, don't rule out a type until you try them and generally, a preference of type will emerge.  Once that happens, at the very least the decision making and speaker field to-choose-from is slimmed down a might bit...  

With my first system, I chose speed & transparency with AMT (Air Motion Transformer) hybrids and that type stuck.  Later I had Apogees and then Martin Logans and now SoundLabs, which I would be VERY hard pressed to diverge from.  My latest SoundLabs are ~8'H x 3W', 198lb Majestic 845PX's. 

My son and his friend were the lucky movers of the 845's into the walk-out basement. Fortunately both young men are audiophiles and have a clue about our wacky hobby.  Even then, after the move, their comments were -- never again splattered with some choice expletives!! SoundLabs being either a 45 or 90 degree curved design, they're not too bad when carrying them with their bellies down, but then try to flip them over, so they will fit through a door and hence, the "never again" statement.

At any rate @emailists, welcome to the stat owners club!! 

@hilde45 Thanks for the subscribe.  I generally keep speakers a long time so not switching that often, except for starting with the entry level Prodigio then the larger model.  

@curiousjim  I appreciate the subscribe.  I didn’t find the beryllium dome TAD’s to be troublesome, but then again I have an all tube preamp and hybrid amps, so perhaps that helped.  

@musicfan2349 the crate was close to 400 lbs or so but each speaker is “only” about 150-160lbs.  

Douglas thanks for the tip about angling down slightly.  

@ghdprentice Thank you.  It’s funny my GF is so sad to see the TAD’s go because she feels they look elegant.  The ‘stats look nice but are much more visually intrusive in our living space.  

@hk_fan  thanks for watching the video using my Schoeps mic recording the two different speakers.  That was the entry level model Prodigio, so the larger model works even better in my large room.  

@emergingsoul thanks for watching the video.  The CR1 isn’t really a bookshelf, but more of a stand mount, due to its size.  The bass was not lacking, but I did often run my Velodyne DD10+ subs to get the lowest octave.  The room isn’t super reverberative.  I have those 6 realtraps which helps quite a bit.  There is full wall of LP’s and another wall has a large bookshelf.  The windows all have large 1.25” cellular shades.  Also the ceilings are barrel since the building is from the late 1800’s, and help break up reflections.  

It’s not a dead or fully controlled room, but seems to work well.  I used to have panels at the first reflection points, but find I don’t need them with the stats.  

@mrmb  I always wanted soundlabs and a friend owned U1’s but I always felt they were too large for NYC.  I did finally buy loft space here but it’s still not a dedicated room, so the smaller size of the Prodigio made more sense for me.  

I’d love to host an AudioGon listening session, so if anyone in the NYC area wants to come by for a listen, that would be fantastic.  I need some more audiophile friends!  

@emailists --

Subscribed. 

The TAD CR1's are indeed great speakers. Interesting to see your move to the Prodigio ESL's (congrats), as well as to learn some of your initial impressions of them. How do they evolve as you get more acquainted with them? 

(P.S. I can't reply to PM's, and listening right now to the Bill Evans Trio...)

I heard these..there are some issues, not a sound reflective of the price....decent on looks, of course.

Coulda done it on the cheap, win it with some Maggie 3.7 X version and a pair of subs in the right place..

Stat owner forever! 45 years!