ESS Speakers!

[Quadraflex65]

Need Opinions: New ESS Amt-12 with Heil Air Motion Transformer. These speakers just blew my mind and I'm considering a pair I can get a great deal on. Anyone have experience with them or other ESS models?

 

[Leben]

I'm a fan of ESS speakers. I don't have experience with their newer models but I own a couple pairs of their older models. I love the Heils.

If you have heard those first hand and can get a great deal on them, I can see how they would be pretty tempting. Let us know if you end up with them.

 

[Quadraflex65]

I've never heard highs that realistic...I literally had to pinch myself. But I can't find ANY reviews online! The technology seems extremely unique..which ESS do u have?

 

[bobsvinyl]

I have the ESS Performance Series Model 8 that I really like. Excellent bass and it has the Heil also. Great separation and clarity.

 

[Quadraflex65]

Thanks for the input...question..I'm running two channel stereo and these speakers would be mainly for music listening...however, I'll also be running my AV (sports, movies, tv) through them. How do u think they would work serving both functions?

 

[Leben]

I've never heard highs that realistic...I literally had to pinch myself. But I can't find ANY reviews online! The technology seems extremely unique..which ESS do u have?

I have Tempest LS8s that have all of the same qualities that Bobsvinyl mentioned. I think they are sonically the same.

I also have AMT3s. I haven't had a lot of time to try them out yet though. I'm currently getting an amp recapped, as soon as I get it back the 3s will get some regular use.

 

[Quadraflex65]

I have some bowers and Wilkins with a good sub and the sound is terrific...but the Heil system was so transparent and "live" sounding..and the deal is insane-2500. New they are 4400.

 

[Porkloin]

I've cycled a few speakers through the music room in attempt to dethrone Oscar Heil's brainchild. The bad part about them is that you have to improve the rest of the stereo to get the best out of them. Some of the shortcomings I originally attributed to the speakers were actually other components. $2500 for a pair or Heils built into a modern-quality lower end? You can't beat that with a stick.
I'm sure they'd be fine for stereo TV, but I always thought conventional wisdom said to have the center channel matching FL and FR - where does one get an ESS AMT-C1 if you want to go 5.1 or 7.1?

 

[Porkloin]

I have Tempest LS8s that have all of the same qualities that Bobsvinyl mentioned. I think they are sonically the same.

I also have AMT3s. I haven't had a lot of time to try them out yet though. I'm currently getting an amp recapped, as soon as I get it back the 3s will get some regular use.

A pair of Rock Monitors that you're not listening to much? That's like ignoring that rich, nymphomaniac supermodel that has a crush on you.

 

[Boto]

I've got an older pair of the PS-8's too that I bought new back in the 70's. What struck me most about them was how accurate even the small Heil is. You could close your eyes and think you were standing next to a piano.

 

[Quadraflex65]

Thanks for the feedback boto and pork loin..yes, the realism is what really struck me..and I think I'm gonna take the plunge assuming they are still there..I guess I'm just surprised the Heil amt is not more well known considering the phenomenal sound.

 

[Porkloin]

Are ANY of the higher-end speaker makers all that well known? What does it take to become well known, other than to mass produce for the big box stores? I think the days of the outlets with a wider variety of products from smaller manufacturers is a thing of the past. Thanks to the internet, it probably will never come back.

 

[mfell]

I have three nice pairs and one curb side pair. I have one pair of AMT-3 Rock monitors and the other three pair are the AMT Monitors with the 12" woofer and passive.

 

[Boto]

I'd love to find a pair of AMT-1's and refurb them. So far, no luck.

 

[nclh77]

Wiki Oskar Heil and air motion tweeter. People call them ribbon drivers but they are not. The patent expired so you are seeing the AMT much more frequently. A superb tweeter. They are not cheap to make, even outsourcing them in China. I have never heard clearer or more articulate highs in my life.

 

[nexus]

Heils are exquisite but you must have very good front end and high quality program material. listen to MP3s and your ears will hurt after a while. same for old vinyl.

 

[c-atle-79bay]

I've got a set of Heil Elites, a stand alone add on heil unit, really adds to the music, has level adjustments and all. Going to try them as speaker B and have the ability to turn them off and on, normally have run them as inline.

 

[Porkloin]

I've got a set of Heil Elites, a stand alone add on heil unit, really adds to the music, has level adjustments and all. Going to try them as speaker B and have the ability to turn them off and on, normally have run them as inline.

Squirrely had/has a pair of Elites. I thought I saw him post that the instructions were to have them in series with the original speaker to avoid too low an impedence. Does A/B'ing them put them in parallel?

 

[Porkloin]

Heils are exquisite but you must have very good front end and high quality program material. listen to MP3s and your ears will hurt after a while. same for old vinyl.

Mine keep getting better with equipment upgrades. I wonder how much I'd have to spend to hit the improvement ceiling with these things?

 

[c-atle-79bay]

Squirrely had/has a pair of Elites. I thought I saw him post that the instructions were to have them in series with the original speaker to avoid too low an impedence. Does A/B'ing them put them in parallel?

Could be, not certain how the preamp, McIntosh c26 does it's speaker selection. I also have the option of individual channels of amplification, have a 5 channel amp with 3 channels sitting.