Quad 989s--personal experience and opinions?


I'm seriously considering the 989s for my 2-channel-audio/multichannel-audio/home-theater system (for the fronts only). Currently I'm running 4 Kindel PLS-As, a design from the late '80s that are tall, sensitive (94dB), and definitely full range. They're driven by a c-j Premier Eleven-A (70wpc, tubed). I've owned planar speakers in decades past, both electrostatics and magnetics, and loved the spaciousness and especially depth of sounstage they produce. I've listened briefly to the 989s and will lots more before I commit to them, but I'd love to hear from A'gonists with personal experience with them, both good and bad. Generally, I’m an unabashed Romantic, loving the big-orchestra classical and film music from 19th and later centuries--and Diana Krall and the old Dave Brubeck Quartet, among others, too. My room is c. 21' wide, 19' deep, and 6-1/2 to 12' high, with few parallel surfaces.

I've read many reviews* of them. If I understand what I'm reading, the 989's deviations from perfection probably include: 1. Bass not extending all the way into the bottom of the bottom octave--which, of course, includes merely 99% of the speakers out there; 2. Inability to play as loudly as some want them to, altho a couple reviewers said their ears gave up before the speakers did; 3. Fussiness about setup, which, of course, makes them similar to all bipolar radiators; and 4. Slight beaminess of treble. Its skills are many and I won’t go into my impressions.

So...owners...what do you love and not love about them? Cautions for me?

* the most curious being a comment from a fellow in one of those consumer-review sites who 3 times said they had too much bass!
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jeffreybehr

Showing 3 responses by jeffreybehr

I bought a 'just-a-few-months-old' used pair in Vintage. So far I love them, altho I'm having to move everything farther from the front wall to get the stage depth I know they'll produce. The c-j Premier Eleven-A seems to have plenty of power, as does a pair of 100W (in ultralinear) tubed amps run in triode. So far so good.

Thx for all responses.
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My 2 days of moving equipment was more about moving the sitting position to the rear off a bass-null point and then 'chasing' the listening position with the equipment.

Sounds great now. The 100-Watts-in-ultralinear tubed amps drive them very well...certainly louder than I ever listen...in triode mode.

I'm thrilled!
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I certainly agree with getting them away from the wall behind them--having them 6 feet sounds lots better than having them 4' away. Mine are yards away from the side walls--my room is 2' wider than deep.

They now have SO MUCH depth to the soundstage. The tamborine in the 6th movement of my favorite recording (and performance) of Holst's 'Planets' sounds as if it's about 50' behind the speakers.
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