[THROWBACK]

I am fascinated by this topic. In my long association with audio, I have had incredibly good highs, mids and lows--but never at the same time.

My best highs, hands down, were from my Hill Plasmatronics. The plasma tweeter directly driven from its own direct-drive tubes was nothing short of amazing. The midrange could not keep up with it. The bass was actually pretty darned good--a 13" Pioneer woofer in a sealed box. I tried to get an industry friend of mine to build me a better mid, but it was not to be.

My best mids have been from electrostatics. Double KLH-9's, of very happy memory, now Sound Labs.

My best mid bass was from an old Bruce Edgar horn system--15" Electrovoice woofer. The cello sound was wonderfully real--lots of juice and impact.

MY best bass ever was from a Hartley 24" woofer in a huge homemade (Jastak-designed) transmission-line cabinet. Impressive startle factor and tasty low strings.

But sound systems--like many other systems--are rarely the sum of their parts. They can be more or less. I suspect that a system made up of the aforementioned best parts would not sound very good at all. Be fun to put it together, however.

[Tyson]

Part of the problem is that stats are open baffle and have a very open sound as a result.  Then a lot of people try to match it with a boxed woofer for bass.  Of course it will never sound well integrated.  Much better to integrate it with an Open Baffle bass solution.  The Servo OB subs that GR Research sells is certainly the best OB bass I've ever heard, and I've heard a fair bit at this point.

[BobM]

Not all electrostats are the same. I know everyone things of Maggies when you say "electrostat", and rightly so. They are the most popular brand, and the least expensive, but they do have their limitations, perceived lack of dynamics and punch being one of them.

However, if you every heard an Apogee you woould not say that an electrostat doesn't have dynamics. Wonderful clarity and soundstaging and great dynamics. Maybe not as much kick you in the chest punch as a cone speaker, but very well defined, deep and tight bipolar bass. Of course, they do need to be driven properly and they are very finicky for setup. Plus, they are no longer manufactured, and you need to get a pair in good working order, which is not as easy as it sounds at first.

[JoshK]

I just received a pair of Danley SM60Fs, intended for my dedicated home theater system (not a diss on their musicality btw).  I am no where near ready to comment on their grand overall impression as I am still getting everything setup and my subs well integrated.   I will say though that the coherence are up there with the best 'stats I've heard and clarity I think is in the ballpark (though I'll leave final judgement to some more critical listening). 

Initial impression of dynamics is that it comes on startlingly.  They are not fullrange by design (-3db @ 64hz, and I have them high passed at 60hz on my receiver) but surprisingly sound reasonable without sub, even though you can tell the deep bass is missing.

[poseidonsvoice]

I just received a pair of Danley SM60Fs, intended for my dedicated home theater system (not a diss on their musicality btw).  I am no where near ready to comment on their grand overall impression as I am still getting everything setup and my subs well integrated.   I will say though that the coherence are up there with the best 'stats I've heard and clarity I think is in the ballpark (though I'll leave final judgement to some more critical listening). 

Initial impression of dynamics is that it comes on startlingly.  They are not fullrange by design (-3db @ 64hz, and I have them high passed at 60hz on my receiver) but surprisingly sound reasonable without sub, even though you can tell the deep bass is missing.

If you can marry a few subs to that rig, you will be happy for a LONG time.

Enjoy!

Best,
Anand.

[rascal]

I heard SH50s..sorry they were a bit 'horny'  for me...I can understand why they are well appreciated though. My ears preferred otherwise but my friend loved it.

Have not heard Gedlee Abbey but feedback from folks provided similar mixed picture.

[JoshK]

I have a pair of rhythmic f15hps

[JoshK]

I heard SH50s..sorry they were a bit 'horny'  for me...I can understand why they are well appreciated though. My ears preferred otherwise but my friend loved it.

Have not heard Gedlee Abbey but feedback from folks provided similar mixed picture.

Interesting.  I've heard many horn systems and I've heard the Gedlee Summas in two installations.  I would absolutely not describe the Synergies as horny and given the physics can't even see how it is possible to have the classic horny sound as conical waveguide provides no acoustic loading.   Could it have been setup? 

[rascal]

Perhaps...but as I mentioned my friend who was with me loved it (and so did owner).  I found it I do not know how to put it- as if you cupped your hands and spoke.

If you search forum on danley (or even Abbey here or on interweb) reaction is kinda similar.. and I do agree set-up makes a lot of influence. You can make a good speaker sound like crap 

[Occam]

From Sadurni Acoustics
http://sadurniacoustics.com/sadurni.html
I'll get to hear them later this month....
Quite amazing according to some folks I generally find credible, but a bit too mid 20th Century Moderne for my tastes.

[Russell Dawkins]

The various blocks of text on the Sadurni website are difficult indeed to stomach.

[JoshK]

rascal,  I value your opinion, and I am not trying to discredit it, I was just surprised is all.  Out of curiousity how near were you seated?  That could have a bit to do with it as most "horns" are best observed at a minimum distance.   

[THROWBACK]

Tyson:

I agree that OB subs sound better than closed-box or ported subs with 'stats. I tried many standard subs with them, but never could get them to integrate well. That's why I am using a 3-stack of GR Research servo OB's per side with my SoundLab's. Ain't perfect, but best solution so far. BTW, I live in Colorado and I believe you do as well. You're welcome to come by for a listen.

[rascal]

rascal,  I value your opinion, and I am not trying to discredit it, I was just surprised is all.  Out of curiousity how near were you seated?  That could have a bit to do with it as most "horns" are best observed at a minimum distance.

Close to 10 ft. The speakers were (close may be less than foot away from the wall and angled to meet 3 ft behind seating couch.  He had room treatments.  Back wall was about 4 ft away from couch. Large room- wish I could have that. He had 2 Rel Subs (not sure about model)

I have to say with instrumental music it was great and among the best systems I have heard. 

No offense taken man  - you hear both opinions and ear/preference and room set-up is typically the variable.  Designers of both speakers mentioned Tom D, and Earl G are no BS science guys unlike idiots we vote to power 

[BobM]

From Sadurni Acoustics
http://sadurniacoustics.com/sadurni.html
I'll get to hear them later this month....
Quite amazing according to some folks I generally find credible, but a bit too mid 20th Century Moderne for my tastes.

Cool, speakers with built in bazookas!