Any opinions or comments on Acoustat Spectra 1100 speakers?

Timothy Smith
Timothy Smith Posts: 764
edited June 2012 in Speakers
Just bought some old Acoustst Spectra 1100 electrostatic speakers.

Sounded great in the previous owner's living room.

The owner had modified the crossovers for biamping. I want to restore to original configuration as a starting point, so I removed all the jumpers and owner modifications.

My first electrostatics. About ready to fire up. Hoping for no white smoke.

Anyone owned these or other Acoustat models? Comments/ observations?

Thanks!
Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
Post edited by Timothy Smith on
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Comments

  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,341
    edited May 2012
    I think you will be very impressed with the right positioning. These speakers need some room to breath. I heard one pair of Acoustats, not sure which model and they sounded very nice. Enjoy!
    Carl

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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,513
    edited May 2012
    Congrats! I own a pair of hybrid ESL's I may keep to the end. Kind of funny cause when I was young I heard a pair of Acoustat 2+2's and said I'd never own ESL speakers. (Beware of absolutes!).:cheesygrin: The Spectra series was considered by many to be an improvement over the earlier Acoustat models. Here is some linkage to an old thread at The Audio Circuit. The fellow answering claims to have worked at the Acoustat factory.

    http://www.audiocircuit.com/Forum/Acoustat/5307/Various,-opinion-on-favorite-Acoustat-speaker

    This page has more topics to sift through. You have to be a member to download the brochures and schematics listed at the top of the page.

    http://www.audiocircuit.com/Home-Audio/Acoustat/Spectra-11

    Njoy!
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • MrAcoustat
    MrAcoustat Posts: 6
    edited June 2012
    Cancelled post
    Chord CPM 2600 - Chord One - Acoustat 1+1 ( 1984 ) - Acoustat heaven on earth
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  • MrAcoustat
    MrAcoustat Posts: 6
    edited June 2012
    Nice start Tim but if you can give the FULL RANGE models a try you have a choice between 66 inches high or 94 ALL 94inches models are the tops you have a choice between 2 - 4 - 6 - or even 8 panels per side but those need a very big room here is a picture of mine they are the 1+1s the smallest of the double stacked models ( 2 panels only ) 14x94 inches all steel frame and weigh 200 pounds.

    PS: You may see more models in my Flickr photo galery here
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mracoustat/

    KeepItSimple1000X750.jpg
    Chord CPM 2600 - Chord One - Acoustat 1+1 ( 1984 ) - Acoustat heaven on earth
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  • Timothy Smith
    Timothy Smith Posts: 764
    edited June 2012
    Well I finished removing the "improvements", fired them up and and guess what...no white smoke!

    I really like the sound. Something like the clarity and detail of my previous Maggies but not nearly as "beamy". Also, better bass extension. Going through all my favorite music again - one of the best parts of this hobby.

    Thumbs up's from all friends that have heard them.

    Must be somewhat power hungry because they make the heat sinks on my 200WPC Sumo Andromeda pretty warm to the touch after a few hours. Never even slightly warm before with my DQ-20's and other speakers.

    Only one problem: After seeing Mr. Acoustat's 8' tall Acoustats mine look, at least, 2' too short.
    Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited June 2012
    They call that Speaker Envy!!!!

    Get yourself a small cooling fan for the amp. Electrostatics are very power hungry.
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