ADS Speaker Fanatics I need your advice concerning L880 sticky dome tweeter

[thattreeguy]

My Sansui AU 517 is in the shop right now getting a full recap and restoration. I have my heart set on acquiring a pair of 3 way ADS speakers to pair with the Sansui. My local CL has a pair of L880's that appear to be in nice condition for $450. Although the dome tweeter on one (please see pics) has what the seller says is a small piece of paper stuck to it which evidently he can't or won't remove. He also says that it is not a repair and does not affect the sound quality which I find perplexing. Is it possible that a piece of paper stuck to an ADS dome tweeter would not affect the sound? Could it be safely removed? If the dome was damaged is it replaceable or repairable? I am going to audition them tomorrow afternoon. If they sound good was thinking of offering less( maybe 350), unless I'm advised differently here.

There is also a pair of L990's which appear to be in nice condition for $275. What I've read about both models it seems that the consensus is the L990's are pretty good but the L880's are exceptional. Anyone out there with experience with both, is this an accurate assessment? Definitely like the price of the 990's better...but ultimately my goal is all about sound quality!

One more thing. I already own a pair of 2 way ADS L520's (which sound great). Would the L880s (or 990s) be a significant upgrade?

Thanks so much for reading...and participating.

 

[rickb119]

Did you see these? https://denver.craigslist.org/ele/d/ads-810-speakers-stands/6770626305.html

He also had a pair of L710's, that I purchased a couple days ago (and LOVE!). Both pair have the ADS stands so the price is more than you would expect for just the speakers. Also, he states that they are in excellent condition. I did not see the 810's (he keeps his "spares" in the basement) but the 710's ARE in excellent condition. I think the only reason he's selling them is because his wife want's him to thin the herd a little.

If you could swing it, I'd look at/listen to both pair and pick the one you like the best.

I also have a pair of L570's that I recently purchased. They're going back to the seller as one of the woofers has an issue at very low frequencies. However, I did do a side by side and the 710's stomp them. Not to say the 570's are bad (they best my Norman 8's which I like a lot), but the 710's are sooooo much better! This is the first good 3 way that I've had and it's taking some time to get used to the sound, but I do like it.

 

[thattreeguy]

So you bought those 710's! I have been eyeing them on CL for a couple months. Congrats! The last time I checked the music room in Broomfield had a pair of 710's that I've also been contemplating.

Definitely have seen the L810 listing but a little out of my price range...maybe he'd come down some?

The 990's are in Breckenridge so a little bit of a drive to demo but definitely doable.

Read lots of good stuff about the L880s but that damn pesky piece of paper stuck to the tweeter has got me stressing about this pair. Would really like to know if it could be an issue or not.

Thanks for your reply & enjoy those ADS L710s!

 

[rickb119]

I doubt he would come down much (maybe a little) on those 810's as he doesn't need to sell them.

I saw those 990's also and did a little research on them. Seems not everyone is a fan. http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/ads-l810-vs-l990.704562/ Click on the ADS-910's link in Blue Shadow's post to see what Soundmotor (the resident ADS expert) says about them.

Here's another good thread http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/a-d-s-line-pecking-order.44406/ Rather long but you could scan through it looking for specific numbers (880, 990, etc.) and for any posts by Soundmotor. You might also ask about the stuck paper in that thread. I think a lot of people follow it.

The 710's don't dig as deep as I would like, but what's there is tight. I have a 10" ML Dynamo in my office system that I'll put with the 710's, at some point.

That stuck paper would bother me too.

 

[bberkom]

I honestly doubt that little piece of paper would affect the sound much if at all, but the price still seems too high for 880’s. I’d go for the 810’s if sound quality is the ultimate end, but the 880’s are great too.

 

[Yamaki]

I'd pick the 880s over the 990s anyday. I've owned both and the 990s just aren't as detailed.

Picking that piece of paper off the sticky dome would require a steady hand and a good pair of tweezers. If it's been on there for a while it might remove some of the "sticky" covering so I'd start in a spot that will lift up a bit and see what the dome looks like underneath compared to the surrounding area. My preference would be to remove the paper vs. leaving it there.

 

[rickb119]

Well, did you get the L880's?

 

[thattreeguy]

I got the L880's last night and they sound amazing! He let me take them for $388 (all the cash I had on me). The tweeter didn't look as bad in person as in the pics. Looks more like a residue or remnants of something. I could not tell a difference in sound between the 2 speakers.

My Sansui is in the shop so I hooked them up to my Musical Fidelity A220 and the sound is very detailed, clear and balanced. They sound beautiful.

Thank you rickb119 and bberkom and Yamaki for participating. All 3 of you were helpful and I do appreciate it.

Digital sucks, Analog is King.
Never stop listening...

 

[rickb119]

Congrats!

I've heard that the ADS reproduce what you feed them (amp wise). Just curious, did you ever compare the Musical Fidelity to the Sansui with the L520's? If so which did you prefer, and why.

 

[Yamaki]

Congrats!!!

Even after 5 years I still regret selling on my L880 pair. I was the original owner having purchased them and the original stands in 1985.

 

[MJB1959]

You chose well, I have some L880's and find them quite a beautiful sounding, as well as looking speaker.