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 3 responses by ghdprentice

@jjss49

Great video… I appreciated the first topic most… although his comments on the Quads are correct to my memory as well.

@mglik

 

I am always surprised when I haven’t used a piece of equipment for a while and it goes through breakin over again… the weirdest is a power cord moved.. requires a few days to settle down. How can this be? But it is reproducible.

Ok, I had to accept breakin of new stuff… but I hate to admit “rebreakin”… but no question… it is real. No wonder everyone considers us crazy.

OP,

Mike does this mean you have received the Quads… or are still waiting? I can’t tell from your entry for sure.
 

I think I would miss the full spectrum sound of the dynamic speakers. I had AMT / dynamic or Ribbon / dynamic for decades… but (as you know) now enjoy dynamic floorstanders.