ESL speaker/tube amp design

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Froumy
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Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:15 am
Location: New Hampshire

ESL speaker/tube amp design

Post by Froumy » Tue May 21, 2013 12:08 am

Many audiophiles seem to love ESL speakers.. They are powered by transformers, and a few thousand volts. And you can build the "speaker" yourself, or pay as much as $20K to have someone do it for you. Google ESL speakers(how they work), it's interesting.

Theoretically, you can direct drive them from the tubes(avoiding some? step-down/step up transformers). It's a hell of a project. Any one else out there dabble in this? Even better if you know of any direct drive ESL amp/speaker success.

Really want to build an ESL speaker, but I don't want to have to buy the parts for 2 tube,150 watt mono blocks to power them, when I'm just going to step up my voltage to power the speaker

Mildly curious how an ESL speaker would work for a guitar amp, as well, but only some type of direct drive would make it cost effective.

Anyone have any experience here?

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Froumy
Senior Member
Posts: 620
Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:15 am
Location: New Hampshire

Re: ESL speaker/tube amp design

Post by Froumy » Wed May 22, 2013 12:37 am

Figured this was the wrong forum, but I know how much happened here, way back... 8)

Any guys with a speaker inclination, should check out how electrostatic speakers work. You could take 2 aluminum screen doors, a transformer, and some saran wrap, and make a speaker that pushes out 110dB+. Freakin' crazy! The "speaker" has nearly zero mass,and theoretically tracks like a human voice. AND, I don't want to pay $25K for one....

Certain there's away to minimize cost in driving these... May not work for us guitar players, who look for speakers and cabs, to color our sound...

If nothing else, it's a very interesting diversion. Check 'em out.

.

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