ElectroStatic Speakers

Electrostatic speakers are hot and everyone from regular consumers to audio experts wants one. With traditional speakers, there has always been a major drawback – the crossover. Since most speakers use 2 or 3 drivers, a crossover is required to send the higher frequency signals to the tweeter, the mid-level frequencies to the midrange, and the low frequencies to the subwoofer. The problem with the old dynamic design is that there will always be crossover points involved, that is, the point where two different drivers are reproducing the frequency where the signal was split. In the end you can end up with too much of a particular frequency, or not enough.

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Through a novel use of technology, electrostatic speakers do away with this problem. This is how they work:

Electrostatic speakers work using two highly charged panels each facing each other. These panels can have as much as 12,000 volts stored in them at one time. Positioned between these two panels is a polyester film material. The signal from the amplifier causes a great polar difference between these two panels to fluctuate, thus pushing film housed between them. The panel’s movement also causes the air around it to spin around thus producing audio. Having only one panel there are no direct crossover points. This actually enhances the sound quality and clarity of the speaker.

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The neatest aspect of electrostatic speakers is that they are nearly completely transparent. The polyester film used in electrostatic speakers is see through, resulting in a speaker that you can actually clearly look through without much distortion.

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However, most electrostatic speakers are very expensive when compared to typical, driver-driven speakers. Base model electrostatic speakers can cost thousands of dollars for a pair, and over $100,000 from manufacturers such as Martin Logan and Sound Lab. Multiply this even further if you desire full surround sound for your home theater.

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Electrostatic speakers have challenges when trying to reproduce bass frequencies. Most people have found that the lack of bass response is easily remedied by adding a simple subwoofer, some top manufacturers even incorporate this into a hybrid design.

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Our picks:

• Final 600i – The simplest and most cost-effective system from the Danish company Final. From $5,495
• Quad 2805 – The long-running full-range electrostatic mainstream mode. From $7,500

Top pick:

• ** Martin Logan Summit ** – Elegantly designed hybrid electrostatic speakers that merge classic construction with superior sound. From $14,498.

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Check suppliers for latest models & pricing, or Buy It Now at the world’s most trusted online retailer – Amazon.com!

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