ESS AMT 1D

[Jbmorrey]

so I am in the search for something to finally get me out of the mid tier vintage speakers and came across a local pair of ESS AMT 1D, 5e seller originally had them listed at $900, then reduced them to $700 currently. I have not had a chance to listen to them yet, but I am very curious to hear the midrange and tweeter on this unit as it seems to get great reviews. What is a good price on these? Of course as long as they are in good working condition? Is there anything about these speakers that I should be Leary of? The seller has had an ad up for these speakers for a couple of months. Thoughts and impressions on these speakers.

James

 

[62sunbeam]

Well I sold a pair to a fellow AKer for $175. And I made money. That being said I realize there is a pretty hot market for these and deservedly so but I would have a hard time recommending more than $500 for a pristine and recapped pair. They’re good and the Heil tweeter is very special but as a whole they aren’t really better than that compared to many other really great vintage speakers.

If you audition them, and don’t buy them if you can’t hear them, and they are very much to your liking and in very good condition offer $500 and be prepared to walk away.

What do you have for a front end? The amplification you have will influence how different speakers will sound with your system.

Give them a listen, let us know what you think and if you pick them up.

Good luck

Eric

 

[Jbmorrey]

Well I sold a pair to a fellow AKer for $175. And I made money. That being said I realize there is a pretty hot market for these and deservedly so but I would have a hard time recommending more than $500 for a pristine and recapped pair. They’re good and the Heil tweeter is very special but as a whole they aren’t really better than that compared to many other really great vintage speakers.

If you audition them, and don’t buy them if you can’t hear them, and they are very much to your liking and in very good condition offer $500 and be prepared to walk away.

What do you have for a front end? The amplification you have will influence how different speakers will sound with your system.

Give them a listen, let us know what you think and if you pick them up.

Good luck

Eric

I have a Luxman L480 amp and a Pioneer sx950.
The area I am in does not have a lot of options. Being in San Antonio, there is not much to find. I currently have the following. Klipsch Forte, Norma Labs model 9 and 10, Realistic Mach One and Dynaco A25.

There is a pair of KEF 104.2 in the area that are interesting as well for $450.

, I love myKlipsh speakers and am running them with a Magnavox Console pull amp. So those are staying.

I want something with the utmost best details and clarity and that is what draws me to the ESS.

Confusing reviews on the ESS AMT as some reviews call them as good as you can get for under $1500.
Wish I could have been able to get that steal of a deal of $175!

Well I guess $500 is pushing the value of these.... explains why he has had them for sale for a couple of months.

 

[62sunbeam]

There is a certain magic that comes from that heil tweeter but the woofer and passive radiator just don’t do it for me. I felt they lacked accuracy and were a little flabby to my ear in my room.

The KEFs would probably sound better over the long term. More accurate and more musical.

Obviously your results may vary.

Good luck

Eric

 

[SaturationPt]

I'm a Heil fan, two pairs of AMT Monitors here. I haven't owned the 1Ds, they are the same drivers in a different format, not sure how much difference having the woofer lower and the passive on the back but I really love the detail and general musical presentation of the Monitors. $500? I think that's low in most areas, the difficult part is getting a pair anywhere other than the left coast. I wouldn't sell my Monitors for $1k, would be happy to find a pair of 1Ds for $700 if in excellent condition I think it's a good deal.

Things to look for are going to be general cabinet condition, any damage would be a deduction from price, woofer and passive condition, if any damage or hardened (should be rubber/butyl) surrounds deduction from price (rubber surrounds are not available anymore, will have to go foam or buy new drivers, still available from ESS), and the Heil diaphragm (will play if damaged, but not as well) look through it and you should see even clear pleats with a hair-net look to it, any damage (new are easy to replace but $75/ea. IIRC) a deduction.

The AMT-1D was the last iteration of the pyramids. I have watched for a nice pair within my 3-state area for a couple of years, nothing. Would like to compare a pair some day to my Monitors, ...

 

[jcidave]

I agree that $700 is not a bad price for a pair of 1D's providing they have good cosmetics, are fully functional and complete with grills and logos. I like my vintage speakers to look original. The Heils alone will retail for $300-400 if you remove them. You can get value back out of the speaker if you decide to part with them.
I have never heard the KEF's. I only know what I read. Generally they are well liked and have a good following. They will also save you some scribe over the 1D's unless you can get them lower. I would make sure the KEFs are operating properly.
That is the one thing about the Heil mentioned previously. With a very simple diaphragm change that any owner can do in his own home with no special skills or tools or products, you can restore the Heil to OEM operation in maybe about 5 minutes. Try that with any other mid or tweeter.
I have 2 pair of AMT1'A's in the collection. None of it is going anywhere.