Sound Lab A2 Electrostatics. FMV

[62sunbeam]

Friend of a friend is looking to move a pair of Sound Lab A2 speakers.

They are assumed to to be 100% fully functional but haven't been used in ten or more years.

What's a fair offer?

Thanks
Eric

 

[62sunbeam]

I've only found one pair for sale in the US and they are from the same seller in multiple listings. He started high about six months ago and has whittled himself down to around $1900 and still hasn't sold them so I'm guessing this is high.

To me more than 1k for something so old is too high.

Am I delusional? Are these speakers that special/great?

Thanks

Eric

 

[AstroZon]

I think he needs to hook them up and test them. You never know with electrostatic speakers. The membrane could have split, etc.

I would never buy a pair of electrostats without listening to them first. Maybe he needs to set up an audition or place them on consignment at a good high end stereo store.

There's a pair on eBay for a BIN of $2k: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SoundLab-A2-Thin-Electrostatic-Speakers-Excellent-Condition-/130863522555

 

[62sunbeam]

That's the same pair. It's been listed elsewhere including audiogon.

They haven't sold in months at or around that price which leads me to believe its too high.

I know theses are pricey speakers but I also know they can have issues due to age and that a patient buyer can find them for less than a quarter of the bin of the pair currently on ebay.

Am I out if line?

Thanks

Eric

 

[frommerstop]

Sorry to resurrect such an old thread, but I must have missed it first time around. I've also watched that particular pair of Soundlabs for quite a while (they're still listed, but now down to $1700), and wanted to point out some info about this particular model.

The A2, and A2x, are unique in the Soundlab line. Unlike all the other Soundlab full range ESLs, they were 2 ways, with a curved mid/tweeter section & flat ESL bass section. In affect, they are like Dynastats (same mid/tweeter panel), but with ESL bass panels instead of the cones used for the hybrid. I've heard the A2x, and still kick myself for passing up a pair years ago, but they are not generally considered one of Soundlab's more popular models. They are not an easy speaker to get working well in most rooms... I suspect they may not have had the crossover quite right, so the bass can sometimes seem a little detached from the upper range. Never the less, I think they have a lot of potential, hence my notice of the ones on ebay.

As for value, I think you're right. I've never seen any actually sell used for more than a grand (though they did list for over $3k new), and the pair I passed up sold for $600, and they were the later A2x with an improved PS/crossover. I'm not sure if the pair on ebay is an A2, or A2x, as they don't show the boxes close up.

Hope this info is useful, if a bit late.

 

[SimplySound]

Might as well use this post... what do you think Cliff, better than the Dynastats?

And is there anyone in LA who wants to help me out with the Reconn? Not sure I fully trust this post! SoundLab A2x's...

 

[62sunbeam]

Might as well use this post... what do you think Cliff, better than the Dynastats?

And is there anyone in LA who wants to help me out with the Reconn? Not sure I fully trust this post! SoundLab A2x's...

I'll go check them out for you.

Have you spoken to the seller? He's a loon. God bless him.

Let me know

Eric

 

[frommerstop]

Might as well use this post... what do you think Cliff, better than the Dynastats?

And is there anyone in LA who wants to help me out with the Reconn? Not sure I fully trust this post! SoundLab A2x's...

I think that's still a bit high. Sonically they are worth it, but they just don't tend to sell for much more than $600-1000 IME. Personally, if they were close, I'd check him/them out, but I'm reluctant to recommend them at great distance and such a high listing price.

I suppose you could float an offer of $750 or so, but if the seller is "a loon" as suggested, I doubt you'd get far with an offer of almost half what he's now asking.

 

[62sunbeam]

When I spoke to him over year ago you told me that he had spoken to the factory and they put the value of the speakers at over $3000.

Good luck

Eric

 

[frommerstop]

When I spoke to him over year ago you told me that he had spoken to the factory and they put the value of the speakers at over $3000.

Good luck

Eric

I think the seller may have missunderstood the information Soundlab gave him.

The A2, which came out in '88 or '89 IIRC, listed at about $3k. They were replaced with the A2x which then listed at $3500... neither version could be expected to bring as much used as the did new and they didn't exactly fly off the showroom floor even back then

 

[SimplySound]

Thanks guys... I'll keep looking for a pair of Dynastats.

 

[Johnny_Law]

Might as well use this post... what do you think Cliff, better than the Dynastats?

And is there anyone in LA who wants to help me out with the Reconn? Not sure I fully trust this post! SoundLab A2x's...

Looks like they're still for sale 3 years later. https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ele/6069098282.html

 

[mike j]

I need to get off my caboose and get my A2's up and running.

 

[HH-Bham]

Looks like they're still for sale 3 years later. https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ele/6069098282.html

Seller is cute.

 

[tubed]

This seller is persistent.
For almost half a decade or more, dropping his price by a nickle each and every unsuccessful ad at a time, or so it seems.
He's been "moving out" for just as long.

 

[slowpat]

Here's your chance to get a pair for $200 if you're in the Bay Area...

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ele/6121861725.html