Electrostatic speakers and phase/polarity inversion
dragon1952
Posts: 4,907
My EE Minimax preamp evidently inverts phase (or polarity). Not sure about the proper nomenclature but you know what I mean (I think). One solution is to invert your speakers connections but my question is, does this work the same with electrostatic speakers vs conventional speakers?
2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
Comments
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Both coil driven and electrostatic speakers see AC signal, so there will be no difference.
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Polarity is the appropriate term.
https://www.prosoundweb.com/topics/education/polarity_and_phase_explained/
A polarity inversion can be fixed by swapping "+" and "-"; a phase shift (even one of 180 degrees) cannot. Phase is a time dependent quantity
Yes, the polarity convention of an electrostatic speaker is (should be!) the same as a dynamic (permanent magnet driver) loudspeaker.
It gets a little arcane with some of the (vintage) compression drivers from, e.g., Altec and JBL -- which is why I bought myself a Cricket.
https://www.galaxyaudio.com/products/cpts
If one is ever in doubt about polarity, one of these comes in extemely handy, IMO. Not exactly Old World craftsmanship, but they're inexpensive enough and they do work.
