Will rebuilt Quad ESL 57s take the place on a great $30K dynamic speaker?


In the ‘90s I lived joyfully with Quad 57s for 10 years. Have always missed them.

Especially since Electrostatic Solutions rebuilds came to light, I have looked for a used pair. My system today is far better than what I had back then.

I was very curious to hear what they would sound like now.

I love my current speakers, but have experienced some fatigue in loud, full passages. And I realized that most of what I listened to was acoustic Jazz and Classical. But with a good amount of Pop singer/songwriter.

The Quads beautifully reproduce solo or otherwise “gentle” music. They are magical with voices. Eg.: Opera that I never got into much is now sublime. And voices in general.

But on something like Peter Gabriel, the fall apart. “So” which was a favorite recording is problematic at best.

I am leaning toward the Quads since they do “moderate” unlike almost any.

But I do miss the dynamics. Bass and treble.

 

 

 

mglik

Showing 1 response by delm

I have ESL 57s since 1975 and ESL 63s since 2000.  The 63s are in my audio system with two JL E112 subs.  The 57s are in my video system with two 15" woofers, not currently connected as I need to build a crossover.  

One must be careful with the amp for the 57s, maximum voltage is 33V.

To integrate the JL subs I use a single order passive high pass filter for the 63's amp and for low pass to the subs I use the crossover in the JL.