• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

ADS L400 vs L570/2 vs L630 Opinions?

H

hntjr

Active Member
On Craigslist there is a pair of ADS L400 ($200) and ADS L570/2 ($100). Can someone tell me what the difference in sound is? Also is the ADS L630 a better speaker than the other two mentioned. And then there is the L710, how does that stack up against the others. There are a lot of L710 for sale for very reasonable prices. From what I've read the L710 does not image all that well unless placed very carefully (mine would be in a workshop mounted against a wall, no room to have them out from the wall) and it is a bit large for my application, but if the price were right, I could see owning a pair.

So it's a shootout: L400 vs L570/2 vs L630 vs L710

Does anyone know what the address is for the ADS reference website? I have seen reference to it, but can not find the address?
 
Register to hide this ad
IMO, the three-way models you mentioned, L630 and L710 are better than the two-ways, L400 and L570/2. L630 is a good chunk larger than the both the L570 and L710 which are about the same size.

L400 came in two versions. The earlier one sounds better, is about 17" tall and is usually less expensive than than the later one which is only about 12" tall. The later ones are especially nice looking and command a higher price.

I'm partial to the L710. I'm thinking that a nice pair of those mounted horizontally and angled down a bit might be perfect.

One more thing to keep in mind is that the sticky domes on these speakers might not be ideal if your shop is dusty.
 
I had a pair of the original L400's over 30 years ago while in college and loved them, but they we a little shy in the deep bass. I currently have a set of L570/2's that are a similar cabinet size which go deeper in the low end, but do not seem to be as open in the mid-range as I remember the L400's being. The L710 should be a similar cabinet size to the L630. While I have heard the L710 in the past (truely excellent), I have never had a chance to listen to a pair of L630's. My personal experience is that while all of the ADS speaker line is terrific, the 3-way "bookshelf" models sound slightly more detailed than the 2-way models.
 
yesshows77 said:
My personal experience is that while all of the ADS speaker line is terrific, the 3-way "bookshelf" models sound slightly more detailed than the 2-way models.
Click to expand...

That is exactly my experience as well. I think that the L710s are a significant notch more refined than the other models you mention. And I'm a big ADS fan as well. Good luck!
 
Thanks Guys, good information. I like your idea Adam ADS of mounting them horizon. I can never understand why horizonal is not more popular, it just makes a lot of sense to spread the imaging over a wider field by laying the speaker down horizontal. I am however worried that I will be in a wood dust environment and I am concerned about the sticky tweeter. Do the L710 have a cloth grill or is it metal? Cloth would probably be sufficient to protect the tweeters from wood dust. While I was leaning toward the L570/2 @ $100, I also have a pair of L710 for $150 available. I was surprised to hear the L570/2and the L710 are about the same size. Did I get that right?
 
hntjr said:
Thanks Guys, good information. I like your idea Adam ADS of mounting them horizon. I can never understand why horizonal is not more popular, it just makes a lot of sense to spread the imaging over a wider field by laying the speaker down horizontal. I am however worried that I will be in a wood dust environment and I am concerned about the sticky tweeter. Do the L710 have a cloth grill or is it metal? Cloth would probably be sufficient to protect the tweeters from wood dust. While I was leaning toward the L570/2 @ $100, I also have a pair of L710 for $150 available. I was surprised to hear the L570/2and the L710 are about the same size. Did I get that right?
Click to expand...


L570/2 18-3/4” H x 11-3/8” W x 11” D
L710 21-5/8" H x 12-1/4" W x 10-1/2" D
L730 25-1/2" H x 14-1/8" W x 11-3/4" D


The L570 is a little bigger than I remember. I must have been thinking of the L520 which is exactly the same size as the L710. Still, it's in the ballpark. As far as I know, the L630 is the same size as the L730.

Earlier ADS models had cloth grills while later ones had perforated aluminum. L710 could have either, depending on when it was made. Some of the metal grills had a thin cloth dust barrier on the back. My newer L710 have no cloth but I'm sure something could be improvised.

The L710 is probably a little better suited to horizontal orientation because of the way the drivers are laid out. Practically speaking, any of them will sound good in either direction.

I'd go and check out those L710. They're one of my favorites.
 
I can tell you that the L570 was not highly regarded within ADS but the dealers loved them and sold the cr#p out of them. I never paid them much attention and focused mainly on the ADS 3-ways. Awhile back I picked up a set of L570's as part of another deal and was absolutely floored at how good they sounded. It is a really good design.
 
adam-ads said:
Earlier ADS models had cloth grills while later ones had perforated aluminum.
Click to expand...

I don't know what ADS did after ~1995, but prior to that all but a few metal grilles were steel. The only ones with perfed aluminum were early L200, L300, & L400 ones.
 
There's a pair of 880's with original stands on Audiogon right now. They look perfect in the pics. These might be more than you care to spend but if I had to pick a pair of ADS bookshelf speakers under $400 it would be the 880's. The 630's or the 710's that are currently on ebay look like a decent deal if you want to watch the $$
 
L630 are special. Very analog sounding with plenty of pace, rhythm, and timing music lovers seek in turntables.
So dynamic and airy, great at low volume too and easy to drive. That 10" bass delivers.
Wouldn't trade them for L810, L1290/2 or L880, all great too, but the synergy with my warmish HK730 is plain addictive in my smallish room.
Avoid analytical / bright amps or sources, these were made for 70's warmish amplification / gear
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom