Apogee - Centaur Minor Speaker set

Electrostat speakers Apogee Centaur Minor
Pickup only

Due to a new acquisition, the two electrostatic loudspeakers Apogee Centaur Minor are up for sale (serial numbers 001064 and 001065).
The company Apogee Acoustics Inc. produced a large number of electrostatic speakers, which were praised for high quality and great fidelity. The Apogee Centaur Minor offered here were the smallest boxes in the lineup and therefore have noticeably fewer problems with efficiency and the requirements of the amplifier. These are “hybrid” boxes, i.e., the bass is handled by a regular bass speaker (in a separate enclosure on the side), while the mids and highs are reproduced by electrostatic ribbons. With this combination, the advantages of the two technically very different speaker types are fully realized, resulting in an overall balanced sound with great detail.

Here are the technical data first:
Type: Hybrid = 6.5'' bass speaker and a large 70 cm ribbon vertically
Year of manufacture: 1991
Power handling: 100 watts/4 ohms
Frequency range: 40 - 20,000 Hz
Crossover frequency: 800 Hz
Special feature: 3-stage bass adjustment via a 3-way toggle switch
Dimensions: H 100 cm - W 35 cm - D 29 cm - Weight 24 kg
New price per unit: approx. 1200 USD (?)

In June 2018, these boxes were technically and visually fully overhauled by the recognized electrostatics specialist Patrick Wagner in Pirna. Technically, this means that a completely new and significantly better woofer was installed than the original, and the ribbons were completely overhauled as well. Visually, the original black finish was replaced with a walnut-design (plastic veneer), giving the design a much more domestic look. In addition, the compact dimensions for electrostatics allow the boxes to fit nicely in a living room and they do not require much space (dimensions above).

As the sale is imminent, the boxes were recently checked again by a professional. The boxes offered here are thus in very good optical and technical condition, after the major overhaul seven years ago and the current inspection. Only the metal plates on the terminal strip had become loose and had to be re-screwed (see photos).

If desired, a few spikes for the boxes can still be included free of charge. I never used them, as the boxes already lean slightly backward to my liking even without spikes.

Shipping of these boxes is not possible due to weight and dimensions and would be far too risky for the delicate high-frequency ribbons. Therefore, local pickup in Minden (in northern Germany) is necessary. Of course, a listening test is possible at any time. Alternatively, by arrangement, a meeting in the greater Hannover/Bielefeld area or in the Emsland is also possible.

If you have any questions, I’m happy to answer.