Sound Lab A-3 Floor Speakers with built in step up transformers

This post is for an original pair of Sound Lab A3 Electrostatic loudspeakers with built in step up transformers. These were professionally rebuilt by Sound Lab some 6 years ago at a cost of $3k and they play perfectly. They flew a tech in to do the work instead of shipping them. These speakers are large and 145 lbs each, they would have to ship freight or be picked up in person. The consignee is also going to be delivering blk covers for them to change the color if needed. Have not seen them yet. Offered for $3000 plus ship or free local pickup. We would meet halfway up to 300 miles for a small fee.

Below is a portion of a review from 1986 done by Stereophile magazine. .

The Sound-Lab electrostatic loudspeakers are
legendary. Many serious audiophiles have heard of them, and rumors of
their existence abound in audio circles, Sound-Lab loudspeakers are sufficiently hard to find

Roger West is the designer of,
and the president of the company which manufactures the Sound-Lab
loudspeakers.

His company has been making loudspeaker
systems for many years, Sound-Lab maintains an extraordinarily
low profile. It has never advertised anywhere, almost never submitted
products for review to magazines, nor has it exhibited at
CES for quite some time now (though their speakers were being used by
both Rowland Research and Klyne Audio Arts at the 1986 Summer CES in
Chicago). As a result, probably only a few thousand people have even
heard of the company, let alone heard its loudspeakers.

The
A-3. It is a full-range push-pull electrostatic with a curved
(semi-cylindrical) diaphragm. Unlike another curved-panel electrostatic,
the similarly-sized (and $900-lower-priced) Martin Logan Monolith, whose
low end crosses over to a 12" cone woofer at 100Hz, the Sound-Lab A-3
is a true full-range electrostatic, spanning the entire audio band down
to a claimed 32Hz without the use of a dynamic woofer. Also unlike the
Monolith, the A-3's diaphragm is not freely suspended between its four
edges to produce a continuous curved surface.

Instead, it consists of a
number of small, vertically rectangular flat panels, arranged in a
90-degree arc. Each panel measures about 4" wide, and they vary in
height from 2.5" to 7". The varying vertical dimension, and varying
tensions on the Mylar film diaphragm, cause each radiating panel to
resonate at a different frequency; careful choice of those resonant
frequencies produces a controlled rise in overall response at low
frequencies, which precisely (in theory, at least) compensates for the
LF rolloff that normally occurs in a dipole system of this size.

The A-3 is large
enough to impress, but, with its nicely patina'd walnut trim (with
mirror-imaged grain patterns for the skirt strip at the bottom front of
each speaker) and curved, horizontally ribbed black grille cloth, too
attractive to offend or intimidate. Each speaker weighs 145 lbs, but are mounted on 5 castors so the speakers are easy
to move to tweak locations and orientation.

The Sound-Lab A-3 is rated at 88dB sensitivity (1W at 400Hz input, 1m
from the speaker). Assuming the manufacturer's 6-ohm impedance figure to be correct
for midrange frequencies, 2.45 volts of input would be equivalent to 1
watt of power. If you fed one speaker with a 400Hz 1/3-octave warble tone at
that level, and measure the output at 1m from the grille with a General
Radio 1565-A SPL meter (tripod-mounted, 70 degrees incident angle, 40"
height, C-weighted, Fast). our reading was 76dB, 12dB below the rated
efficiency figure! Thus, the 100W minimum recommended power is by no
means an overstatement.

Imaging from the A-3s is spectacular! With a
mono source, the "image" remains tightly bunched between the speakers,
with no perceptible wander either with changes of pitch or lateral
changes of listening position, and this translates into almost
incredible image specificity and stability from stereo sources. 

The A-3s are the most perfect embodiment to
date of an ideal loudspeaker system. Never in my life have I lived with a
speaker that has brought, and continues to bring, as much pleasure,
excitement, and satisfaction. In short, I am madly, passionately in love
with their sound,

Revised shipping policy as of September 20, 2017.

Due to items lost or damaged in shipping, any item over $50.00 in


cost will require delivery confirmation and insurance for the sale


amount. It is unfortunate that this is necessary but experience has


proven it is well worth the small extra cost. We apologize for this, but


it is for the good of all involved.

TERMS:


All listings are plus shipping unless noted. 7.00% sales tax added


to all In-state destinations. This unit is guaranteed to be in "as


described" working condition (unless otherwise noted) upon arrival and


has a 60 day limited warranty, baring any abuse. 15% restocking fee on


all returns unless defective or "not as described"

SHIPPING:


We ship internationally on smaller items . Domestic packages are


shipped via Fed Ex. All international shipping quotes will include


insurance and delivery confirmation. Shipping charges reflect actual


cost of shipping, plus a nominal fee for packaging materials.

INSURANCE:


International shipments to countries that do not allow insurance,


buyer assumes FULL RESPONSIBILITY for the safe shipment of their


packages. Sound Ideas cannot provide refunds or compensation for


packages shipped without shipping insurance. All shipping quotes for


packages shipped includes insurance.

RETURNS:


Any item may be returned within 15 days for a full refund of the


purchase price, not including shipping, unless otherwise stated in the


ad. It must arrive back at our store in the same condition as


sent. 15% restocking fee on new items that were opened.

International purchases need to be returned with incoming custom's


duty prepaid, if any. Any postage or import duty that is due upon


arrival will be deducted from the refund. 15% restocking fee also on all


returns unless defective or "not as described."

Thank-you for your time and interest!