A-1 Review

Classical Music Magazine
by Bruce Surtees
March 1997

By the sheerest accident I heard a full-range electrostatic speaker that is genuinely full range. The A-1 speaker made by Sound Lab Inc. of Park City, Utah, is the ultimate example of this most articulate of all technologies. Not only do I hear all the sounds of an orchestra, but uniquely experience its true size, from pianissimos to full power. And I do mean full power, free from cabinet resonances and other sonic anomalies that corrupt the sound across the entire spectrum. (No, the Juilliard String Quartet does not sound like the strings of the Philadelphia Quartet.)
     One needs to be fascinated with sound quality to spend time and money on this pastime, and if you acquire equipment to better listen to your music, then you are probably a Music Lover. However, if you buy fine recordings only to punch-up your equipment to strut its stuff, you are surely an Audiophile and may never be content. But the A-1s should at least solve your speaker problems.
     They say there’s no substitute for the sound at a live performance. I think there is. What do you think?