Neither of my Audiostatic ES100 speakers will play high frequencies.I have a beautiful midrange but the sparkle is not there.
Since these are single panel I would think the problem would be in the interface.An ex Audiostatic employee thought it
could be a fuse or relay.I don't see a typical fuse but do see a small black box which could be a relay.Not sure how to test it.
Any help or thoughts would be truly appreciated.
Since these are single panel I would think the problem would be in the interface.An ex Audiostatic employee thought it
could be a fuse or relay.I don't see a typical fuse but do see a small black box which could be a relay.Not sure how to test it.
Any help or thoughts would be truly appreciated.
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There is nothing in the interface that can cause this. High frequencies are only radiated from the center strip of the membrame that is connected unfiltered to the transformers and that plays fullrange. The resistors under the panel filter the remaining sectons left and right of this center strip, those radiate only low freqs.
Most likely the membrame coating is on it's way out, so the middle section does not charge properly anymore.
Try breathing on the membrame while playing music. When the highs return temporarily it's the coating. Don't remember if the coating is on the back or front side, just try both
Most likely the membrame coating is on it's way out, so the middle section does not charge properly anymore.
Try breathing on the membrame while playing music. When the highs return temporarily it's the coating. Don't remember if the coating is on the back or front side, just try both
The small box btw is probably a mains transformer wired backwards. The USA models used a wall wart adapter that delivers some low voltage ac, that was converted back to 230V ac by this internal transformer. The voltage multiplier for the bias voltage is fed with 230V. European models feed the mains directly to the multiplier without isolation transformers, but in the USA this was not allowed. Thus this improvised additional transformer.
Awesome.Thank you for the info and fast reply.Probably be a while before I try the breathing test.Will have to put them back in my system first.
These have one of the best midranges I've heard and sounded wonderful with a high end external tweeter.
These have one of the best midranges I've heard and sounded wonderful with a high end external tweeter.
One more thing to check: what amplifier are you using? These speakers go well below 2 ohms at 20kHz and represent an almost purely capacitive load. Amps with high output impedance (tubes and/or designs without feedback) can roll off in the highs because of the rc filter that Rout forms with the capacitive load. Easy to check, just measure the frequency response over the output terminals.
I've used a couple different solid state amps but mostly an OCM 800.BTW I can't hear over 10khz but know
when a tweeter isn't playing.
when a tweeter isn't playing.
The OCM looks like it's up to the job for sure. Be careful in the meantime, when the coating is bad they loose a lot of sensitivity so it is easy to overdrive them. You wouldnt be the first to ruin the transformers that way.
If there is a large electrolytic cap on the pcb, check that one too.
If there is a large electrolytic cap on the pcb, check that one too.
They're easy to overdrive basswise.So I cut off at 80-100hz. or will slap too much at higher volume.
When you drive the membrame into the stators you are feeding them way too much power. Don't do that. They really should not need more than a few watts to play at normal listening levels when the coating is good.
Lots of info in this thread:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/help-audiostatic-es-100.130554/
The model you have does not have the mirror drive interface, so it will always be a bit limited in the bass. The ES100 also suffers from a frame that is a bit flimsy. The 200 and 300 are better in that respect, the 100 can be improved a lot by stiffening the frame. The element of the 100 is the same as the 300.
The best addition to these speakers imho is a set of dipole subs that takes over below 80-100 Hz. Active filtering and bi-amping of course. They will truly amaze you in such a setup.
Another good mod is to reduce the width of the center section from 8 to 6 or even 4 wires. This will improve horizontal dispersion.
Lots of info in this thread:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/help-audiostatic-es-100.130554/
The model you have does not have the mirror drive interface, so it will always be a bit limited in the bass. The ES100 also suffers from a frame that is a bit flimsy. The 200 and 300 are better in that respect, the 100 can be improved a lot by stiffening the frame. The element of the 100 is the same as the 300.
The best addition to these speakers imho is a set of dipole subs that takes over below 80-100 Hz. Active filtering and bi-amping of course. They will truly amaze you in such a setup.
Another good mod is to reduce the width of the center section from 8 to 6 or even 4 wires. This will improve horizontal dispersion.
When I tried boosting the high frequencies with an EQ the speakers sounded like they should sound..By-passing the EQ they sounded quite dull.
Try the breathing test. Or keep your ear close to the center section of the membrame while playing at low level. Move slowly from top to bottom. If the volume or tonal balance changes with height, you need new membrames.
Lots of old audiostatics need refurbishment as maudio already has described. But even if the audiostatics are working properly you may find them not that sparkling. First because having some excess midrange energy. Second a large line array has a different character than a small pointsource tweeter. Maybe if you are used to a pointsource tweeter you will think the large esl lacks high frequency while in reality it doesnt or only mildly. Just something to consider.
I tried the breathing test way back when and didn't notice anything.I'll try the low level test.No plans for getting new membranes.I can get the sound I like either by EQing or external tweeter.Another ES100 owner told me he had to EQ his also.Lose some sound quality that way though.Many thanks for the replys.
They are also rather beamy speakers when unmodified. You have to aim them exactly at your listening position and sit directly in the sweet spot to get the highs. Sweet spot will be very small.