04.02.2020
92
Last month, I had found a somewhat rough looking, but otherwise fine sounding pair of Acoustat 1+1s. Yesterday, I begin the renovation project by removing the grill socks. Imagine an eight foot long tube sock that is open at both ends. They need a thorough vacuuming and hair dryer based heat treatment. Here they are naked:I was a bit concerned about the condition of the four identical panels because the owner had cats and it was evident from the condition of the grill cloth they had done their own imitation of King Kong climbing the Chrysler Building. Fortunately, there were no tears in the diaphragms.
Here's a section of the cloth showing the extreme pilling.The next step is to do what I had done years ago with a similar pair of Acoustat 2+2s: make news ones from tightly stretched spandex as is used by the Sound Lab factory. They are far more transparent both to the eye and ear. You can clearly make out the four panel per speaker construction.
Up close, you can easily see the stator wires and panel. That translates to a more open and less treble restricted sound.After that, I'll update the capacitors used in the power supply and bypass the audio fuse and replace the variable HF control with a fixed resistor. I might add a small value cap at the power supply input for RF suppression.
QUOTE=E-Stat;386114I had the luxuries of time and patience in my favor and have been looking for a while. The owner initially turned down my offer. I also considered MG-IIs (an early predecessor to the 1.6) as well having owned a pair just before getting my first Acoustat.Keep your eye out for either brand. Maybe Flo could help with the Apogees.
Acoustat 1+1 Review
What I like about the Acoustats is the panels are nearly indestructable and so many exist./QUOTEQUOTE:. What I like about the Acoustats is the panels are nearly indestructable and so many exist.How very true this is, i have been with Acoustat since 1984 i have owned Spectra 22s - Spectra 33s - 2+2s - and i now own my third pair of very special modified 1+1s and NEVER had a single problem and when the panels get dirty all they need is a good bath and their back to new again.
How does their sound compare?They are certainly similar as dipoles although I think only the Acoustats are true line sources. I had Maggies before my first set of Acoustats in the late 70s. Their advantage is coherence - as they are a true full range design. Pokemon games play without ingredients.
There are no frequency specific parts to the panels. On the flip side, however, their reactive load requires a beefy amp.
The trusty '81 Threshold was designed to drive the notoriously difficult load of the Dayton-Wright electrostatic and works well with Acoustats.The 1+1s compare to the 1.6/1.7 design but have a bit more radiating area with their 94' height: 830 sq in vs. Hi guys,I recently acquired a set of acoustat mk 121-2 and am searching for information on them. Seems like there might be people here with experience.They are in good condition, some very light pilling in some spots but overall pretty clean. I have no experience with electrostatic speakers, and not sure if I have room for these in the long run but figured I would try them out.
I have an receiver laying around that I think I can use to run them, is there any dos or donts when it comes to using these? I recently acquired a set of acoustat mk 121-2 and am searching for information on them. Seems like there might be people here with experience.You've come to the right spot. There are a few of us here who have owned them for decades. Actually, the model number you mentioned describes the power supply but was shared by different models based upon the panel configuration.Here's a list of a few of them:1 - single panel1+1 - two panels, one stacked upon the other (above)2 - two panels side by side2+2 - two panels wide by two tall3. three panels across4 - four panels across6 - three panels wide by two tall8 - four panels wide by two tallWhat is their height and width? That will tell you the actual model.
I have no experience with electrostatic speakers, and not sure if I have room for these in the long run but figured I would try them out. I have an receiver laying around that I think I can use to run them, is there any dos or donts when it comes to using these?I'll start with the bad news:1. They are inefficient2. That is to say the sound field changes from side to side.3.
They present a challenging load to the amplifier and most receivers really aren't designed to drive them.4. Once every year or so, you'll need to heat treat the panels with a hair dryer as the mylar diaphragm will stretch over time.5. The company is no longer in business.The Good News:1. They are exceptionally coherent because they are essentially a single driver design. There are no frequency specific panels like you find in conventional speakers having woofers, midranges and tweeters2.
They are capable of high resolution and naturalness.3. They provide a lifelike image height4. While first octave bass response is rolled off on the smaller models, they have exceptionally natural timbre in the upper bass.5. The panels are very durable and the speakers will last for decades.with all sorts of information about them. You may be interested in the factory tour (scroll down a bit) which describes how they were built. IBut if I could drive them with my receiver I am interested how they sound. Any estimates of what they are worth?One other aspect of them is they are dipolar - that is to say they radiate the same sound from the rear.
That means that distance to rear wall affects the sound. Ideally, you will be able to give them a couple of feet to 'breathe' in the room.
Acoustat Spectra 11 Speakers
Too close to the wall and they will sound muffled and bass will suffer.Worth? Depending upon condition, anywhere from $300 to $800 or so. They were about $1800 new.