[Crossoverless]

 Here's some new Electrostatic loudspeakers that just come on the market.

http://www.essenceelectrostatic.com/product/model-1200/

 Look at this

http://www.essenceelectrostatic.com/how-a-6600-essence-system-outperforms-100k-system/

[Russell Dawkins]

I like the prices!

[SteveFord]

I am going to have to look into these.

[srb]

I like the prices!

And UPS shipping to USA is quite reasonable.

Then I took a look at the Essence electronics.  I remember recently seeing the $699 Essence HDACC DAC/Preamp with HDMI (here on Audiocircle?) which also seemed very reasonable.

Then I looked at the $1299 Essence DPA-440 digital power amplifier.  I saw it was made in the USA, not in the Netherlands like the Model 1200/1600 electrostatic speakers.  When I looked at the rear panel it somehow looked familiar.

 

Then I took a look at one of the Class D Audio amplifiers, the $665 SDS-440C.

 

Not sure what the differences might be in the Essence model vs an SDS model, but I'm curious.

Steve

[Bob in St. Louis]

I know little about 'statics, but I'm surprised to see they're flat down to 48. 

[Wayner]

I know little about 'statics, but I'm surprised to see they're flat down to 48. 

Maybe with the sub-woofer.......my Martin Logans cross -over to the woofer at 150 hz. It's hard to get a smaller panel to produce bass. But who knows, maybe they know a secret and do go to 48hz without the sub, but then why are they pushing the sub, as 48 is pretty decent.

Wayner

[Bob in St. Louis]

The specs say, "No woofers, no boxes". Maybe they found the bass magic? ha ha
==================================


Highlights:

No Woofers, No Boxes, No X-overs means No Interference
48.8” H x 11.38” W x 1” D (1200mm x 250mm x 30mm)
± 3 dB 48 Hz to 23 KHz
4 Ohms, 88 dB efficiency
26.5 lbs each (12 kg.)
Wall Mountable with stand off bracket
Made in the Netherlands

[poseidonsvoice]

And UPS shipping to USA is quite reasonable.

Then I took a look at the Essence electronics.  I remember recently seeing the $699 Essence HDACC DAC/Preamp with HDMI (here on Audiocircle?) which also seemed very reasonable.

Then I looked at the $1299 Essence DPA-440 digital power amplifier.  I saw it was made in the USA, not in the Netherlands like the Model 1200/1600 electrostatic speakers.  When I looked at the rear panel it somehow looked familiar.

 

Then I took a look at one of the Class D Audio amplifiers, the $665 SDS-440C.

 

Not sure what the differences might be in the Essence model vs an SDS model, but I'm curious.

Steve

Check and mate. Good work. There probably is no difference except for the price.
Best,
Anand.

[DS-21]

Those look like rebadged Final electrostats, and if they sound like the Finals I heard in the early 2000s then they're quite colored.

[srb]

Those look like rebadged Final electrostats, and if they sound like the Finals I heard in the early 2000s then they're quite colored.

From a Final Sound 1000i Electrostatic Loudspeaker review by Dick Olsher"

 

(Inserted as a graphic from the PDF, as the added note was not selectable text)

Steve

[DS-21]

That the "review" had no measurements, despite the fact that Mr. Olsher is clearly capable of taking measurements, tells me that my ears were absolutely right in finding the Finals colored.

[steve f]

About 50 HZ is the low frequency limit for panel speakers. The diaphragm tends to resonate like a drum around there. Bigger speakers just tend to play louder, not lower.

The Essence ESL is designed by the same guy who did the Finals. I am not surprised that the amp is rebadged. I think the price increase is a lot though. Should have gotten a pretty faceplate and a meter for the extra dough. There are even good sounding lower cost amps in the Class D game now. The Crown XLS series for example.

Quick observation about ML curved stats. Since the diaphragm can't be evenly tensioned, you need a higher crossover point. It makes sense to relieve the ESL panel of bass duties. Never listened to the finals.

This will be an interesting thread.

Steve

Edit: Essence sells a DAC preamp also. It can play the two channel tracks off of HDMI from Blu Ray sources. I don't know if there are others with that capability. The unit has a lot of features for $700, and is pretty much a full featured preamp except it doesn't pass any input for analog without digital conversion. Anyone know about this unit? I believe it's the HDACC.

[MtnHam]

About 50 HZ is the low frequency limit for panel speakers. The diaphragm tends to resonate like a drum around there. Bigger speakers just tend to play louder, not lower.

The Essence ESL is designed by the same guy who did the Finals. I am not surprised that the amp is rebadged. I think the price increase is a lot though. Should have gotten a pretty faceplate and a meter for the extra dough. There are even good sounding lower cost amps in the Class D game now. The Crown XLS series for example.

Quick observation about ML curved stats. Since the diaphragm can't be evenly tensioned, you need a higher crossover point. It makes sense to relieve the ESL panel of bass duties. Never listened to the finals.

This will be an interesting thread.

Steve

Sound Lab electrostatic panels (the larger ones) go to 24hz without a subwoofer and are extremely uncolored. Dick Olsher loved them, and wrote so.

[Bob in St. Louis]

Well I'll be darn, I didn't know they went that low. Thanks fellas!

[steve f]

I just visited the Soundlab web site. Yes they claim their big boys have a low frequency point of 24-30 HZ. I don't know if that was a F3 or F10 number. They also claim a patent which allows them to spread the panel resonance to avoid the peak.
This seems like an awkward solution to a problem.

The last time I listened to their speakers was in a big room at a hotel. I remember atma-sphere amps drove them.

[MtnHam]

I just visited the Soundlab web site. Yes they claim their big boys have a low frequency point of 24-30 HZ. I don't know if that was a F3 or F10 number. They also claim a patent which allows them to spread the panel resonance to avoid the peak.
This seems like an awkward solution to a problem.

The last time I listened to their speakers was in a big room at a hotel. I remember atma-sphere amps drove them.

Awkward? Regardless, it works, and beautifully so. Any AC members who wish to visit (60 miles north of San Francisco) and hear my Ultimate U-1PX's are welcome.

[steve f]

MtnHam,

I wasn't trying to be dismissive. I have always had the highest regard for Dr. West's work.
Your system is very very nice. I hope a few of our circle friends take you up on your kind offer.

Steve