AudioGeek Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 I think I have become an esl convert. So tell me more!
PixelPlay Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 I have had a couple of pairs and really loved them. I am sure there will be a 3rd at some stage 1
Nada Posted July 22, 2013 Author Posted July 22, 2013 I have had a couple of pairs and really loved them. I am sure there will be a 3rd at some stage Id be fascinated to read more about how the Acorns sounded. Your in a unique position having actually owned two Acorn's as well as other panel's. I think I have become an esl convert. So tell me more! Ive never heard the Acorns but the design should be very fast using such a thin membrane. Three different panels for different frequencies is unusual in an ESL and promises better frequency extension and consistency. Bass handled by a panel rather then a cone promises better integration. The materials used are meant to handle the humidity without failure. Hopefully PixelPaly wil kindlyl fill us in with the reality. No speaker can do everything. These must have deficiencies. The bass is unlikely to shake the house but maybe thats a plus.
PixelPlay Posted July 24, 2013 Posted July 24, 2013 It is difficult to forget the transparency. If I were to build another pair then I would consider using a little thicker mylar for the bass segment as in Acoustat speakers which seem almost indestructible and then drive them harder. I am not sure but Rob at ER Audio would be able to point you in the right direction. The bass response is like most panels and will not hit you in the gut on low notes however they make up for this in speed and resolution. I am currently using 4X 15inch bass drivers in an open baffle per side to augment the Magnepan 3.7's which roll off naturally at 40hz and I recon that this would work with the Acorns if you felt the need. If you like ESL speakers and have the time then you owe it upon yourself to build a pair. 1
chucky3042 Posted July 24, 2013 Posted July 24, 2013 (edited) Hi I am the designer (with Rob) of the Nakamichi Dragon / Whise 1500 electrostatic hybrid speaker. I co incidentally designed (with Rob) the Whise 1800 full range electrostatic speaker when Rob was finalizing the Acorn. Turned out the Whise had virtually the identical configuration, dimensions and gap separations as the Acorns. The only real difference was we used rod grids compared to Robs slot perforated metal grids. Only one working set in existence and its not for sale, I write this because I have owned many electrostatic speakers and am very familiar with the Acorn sound. The parameters were arrived at with the aim of a "no holds bared " electrostatic that was a successor to Robs ELS 3. Whilst I love the hybrid Nakamichi/ Whise units as a great compromise between looks, bass and electrostatic transparency, my favorite speaker if I was brave enough to face up to my wife is the Acorn/ ELS 3/ Whise 1800. Assuming you have an amplifier that can kick start a jumbo jet and are antisocial regarding listening position and totally obsessed about imaging/ clarity/ transparency/ transient ability in my opinion this is the finest speaker I have heard. At home my wife lets me use the Nakamichi/ Whise as I lack spine. Regards Chucky Edited July 24, 2013 by chucky3042 2
Nada Posted July 27, 2013 Author Posted July 27, 2013 Assuming you have an amplifier that can kick start a jumbo jet a..... \ Please can you say a bit more about he amplifier requirements for this speaker?
chucky3042 Posted July 28, 2013 Posted July 28, 2013 \ Please can you say a bit more about he amplifier requirements for this speaker? Hi Nada The impedance of the Whise ha1800 and I believe the Acorn drops to around 1.5 ohms above 10 kHz so a typical amplifier from JB HiFi/ Harvey Norman just will not cope. As a minimum you will need an amp that is happy with sub 4 Ohm loads and can cope well with both inductive and capacitive loads. In general the old rules apply - go by weight!!! I always like lots of driver transistors, big transformers and capacitors. In addition it is useful to have its supply rails at least +/- 40 V, preferably 50V. I have used ME 550, 850 and the soon (hopefully) to be released ME 580. Works very well on the ancient Rotel 1210 (could handle 2 Ohm loads). Even though they violate my big lumpy rule they work well on Redgum amplifiers (higher Voltage drives) and Class D (they drive low impedance's well. Regards Chucky
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