Quad ESL 57 Electrostatic Speakers - $600 (Rochester, NY)

[Yukon888]

NOAF

https://rochester.craigslist.org/ele/d/vintage-pair-of-quad-esl/6224158690.html

From the ad:

Rare Pair of QUAD ESL Electrostatics speakers. Made in ENGLAND
NO TESTED
With all 4 Legs for both speakers
Pair Quad ESL 57 With Black Speaker Grills with Wooden sides.
Rare Worldwide Voltage 100v to 250v 50/60Hz.
Both have Serial Numbers
Dimensions 35" x 28 1/2" x 10". Net Weight Each 39.6 lbs/18.0kg.
This pair of Quad ESL 57 both come with original boxes and Insruction papers.
As such these Quad ELS 57's will be sold "as is" with no warranty. No Returns.

$600 b.o.

Text or call Greg

 

[hionfi]

Well worth a look, I wouldn't buy without fully testing. I've seen a couple pairs of 57's that people hooked a 100 watt amp to and cooked the panels.

 

[mhardy6647]

$600 for an almost guaranteed to have been arced* ESL-57s seems rather pricey to me.

As an aside, I thought that the ESL-57s had three legs per speaker.

(one notes, perhaps wryly, that the speakers in the CL photos are sans legs)
-------------
* I mean, why else are they "NO TESTED"

 

[Hawkeye83]

Definitely worth a look, especially if you know what you're looking for! Meaning how to spot arced panels...

If they are fully functional, I think it's a very good price...BIG IF!

Maybe they are not tested because he doesn't have the wall cords? If so, plan on spending a little more to buy a pair of the wall cords or build a DIY pair.

 

[mhardy6647]

Definitely worth a look, especially if you know what you're looking for! Meaning how to spot arced panels...

If they are fully functional, I think it's a very good price...BIG IF!

It's an OK price if they're in typical condition -- because they will need work "for best results" even if the panels are in good shape.
Arced panels are -- pretty easy to recognize with inspection (even through the grille if necessary) and very easy to recognize in a listening test (low or no output).

https://www.stereophile.com/artdudleylistening/606listening

Maybe they are not tested because he doesn't have the wall cords? If so, plan on spending a little more to buy a pair of the wall cords or build a DIY pair.

Maybe -- the later ESL-57s (e.g., mine) have standard IEC connectors for mains power. Earlier ones used, if memory serves, "Bulgin" connectors. I didn't look closely enough to see what these were.

EDIT: Yeah, these do look like older/earlier ones, so you may be right (although how did someone manage to acquire a pair sans power cords? Seems a little -- odd).

(photo from the titular CL ad)

Were it me --- I'd be really really careful before plunking down $600 on loudspeakers that might need $3000 worth of work.

 

[Hawkeye83]

It's an OK price if they're in typical condition -- because they will need work "for best results" even if the panels are in good shape.
Arced panels are -- pretty easy to recognize with inspection (even through the grille if necessary) and very easy to recognize in a listening test (low or no output).

https://www.stereophile.com/artdudleylistening/606listening


Maybe -- the later ESL-57s (e.g., mine) have standard IEC connectors for mains power. Earlier ones used, if memory serves, "Bulgin" connectors. I didn't look closely enough to see what these were.

EDIT: Yeah, these do look like older/earlier ones, so you may be right (although how did someone manage to acquire a pair sans power cords? Seems a little -- odd).

(photo from the titular CL ad)

Were it me --- I'd be really really careful before plunking down $600 on loudspeakers that might need $3000 worth of work.

Agreed...be careful. Probably more careful than I was, but I had "assurance" from a regular AK member that I purchased mine from. I paid $900 for mine, unrestored. I think it was worth it.

The AK'er I bought mine from got them for $300 sans power cords, so "untested." He made his own cords (mine are the older style Bulgin connectors). He used them for awhile, then sold to me.

My panels are fine, but I think the power supplies need rebuilt...one speaker plays significantly quieter than the other...at least this can easily be compensated for via preamp balance controls, or PC output level balancing.

These Quad 57's are a tough one to price, I think. Depends how willing you are to accept risk. Or if you're a perfectionist, just plan on rebuilding them quite soon after buying an unrestored pair...not because the unrestored pair won't work, but it will eat at you to hear what a RESTORED pair can sound like.

Some day I will likely sell my unrestored pair and buy a restored pair.

 

[mhardy6647]

Big price differential between as is and restored (and not without reason).

Mine (e.g.) are as is -- fortunately, they were very reasonably priced and work well enough (although, at the least, they're certainly due for a P/S refresh).
I don't think I'll invest in a proper restoration, though, and reading Art's two-part article on his (partial) DIY didn't exactly encourage me on the DIY route.

$250-300 for a question mark pair seems reasonable (given their potential, no pun intended) balanced by the risk. $600 for an older, question mark pair (still) seems too high to me. I guess I've made that pretty clear.

YMMV.

 

[Hawkeye83]

Big price differential between as is and restored (and not without reason).

Mine (e.g.) are as is -- fortunately, they were very reasonably priced and work well enough (although, at the least, they're certainly due for a P/S refresh).
I don't think I'll invest in a proper restoration, though, and reading Art's two-part article on his (partial) DIY didn't exactly encourage me on the DIY route.

$250-300 for a question mark pair seems reasonable (given their potential, no pun intended) balanced by the risk. $600 for an older, question mark pair (still) seems too high to me. I guess I've made that pretty clear.

YMMV.

Clear as a Quad, man! And I agree on the "potential"...

Don't think I'll invest in a restoration either, more cost effective to sell an unrestored pair and buy an already restored pair, I think...just based on prices I've seen...

I was hoping to rebuild the power supply myself, but I'd probably kill myself. I'm not exactly electrically savvy!

Cheers!

And if anyone picks up these Quads or even checks them out, please let us know!

 

[Yukon888]

I've been watching this listing since it was originally posted two weeks ago. The seller originally had these listed at $1600 , not that that means anything. Then lowered to $1200, then $900, and now $600. Maybe next price drop will be $300?

 

[Hawkeye83]

I've been watching this listing since it was originally posted two weeks ago. The seller originally had these listed at $1600 , not that that means anything. Then lowered to $1200, then $900, and now $600. Maybe next price drop will be $300?

Just my opinion, but if he'll drop to $300, I'd take a chance. Just Google images of Quad arced panels and know what you're looking for there. If the panels are okay, personally I don't think they would probably ever (within your listening lifetime) NEED a full rebuild. I haven't done a ton of research in this area, but I think rebuilding the panels are the cumbersome part to do yourself. Anyone with reasonable electrical skills should be able to rebuild the power supplies, I would think...and that shouldn't cost much. I would probably insist on taking the covers off though to see the panels well, unless you think you can see through them well enough. So if the panels are okay, plan on some day (or now) rebuilding the power supplies, and of course you'll need the wall cords right away, on top of the purchase price.

 

[Yukon888]

Yeah, I think $300 would be the price for me unless someone else grabs them first. The other issue is my listening room is only 12' x 12', so these might be a little on the large side.

 

[Hawkeye83]

Yeah, I think $300 would be the price for me unless someone else grabs them first. The other issue is my listening room is only 12' x 12', so these might be a little on the large side.

Yeah, my room is around 10 x 12 but I have two corners where they fit quite nicely. A 12" subwoofer even fits in behind each one. Probably not ideal, but sounds fine!

 

[mhardy6647]

They do best with some space around them.

The big challenge with the ESL-57s is the very limited vertical dispersion of the tweeter panel. I think it is nominally 15 degrees.
A plethora of aftermarket stands was available to improve the interface of an ESL-57 (or a pair) with any given listening position.

Yeah, at 300 smackers, risk and value are well balanced, I'd opine.

Or -- if anyone has a long-term and serious interest in snaggin' a pair, buy or make a pair of power cables
They do need some time energized to charge up, though -- and for old, unrestored units, that can be quite a while (24 hours or maybe even more).

 

[tubed]

This may work?
http://www.newark.com/bulgin/px0587/connector-power-entry-female-10a/dp/92C5272

 

[Edroom]

I just went threw this with a pair of 988's, if they haven't been rebuilt you can guarantee that they will need it at this point. It is the glue that fails, not just arcing from being over driven. $1500 minimum just to rebuild the panels..not including if they need anything else.

 

[mhardy6647]

This may work?
http://www.newark.com/bulgin/px0587/connector-power-entry-female-10a/dp/92C5272

Not for the old ones, no.
That is an IEC connector.

The old ESL-57 Bulgin connectors for the AC mains looked like this (I believe):

 

[KLH9]

You have to be dedicated to have older/vintage electrostatic speakers.

It is like shaving a child that never develops beyond a year old and needs constant looking after.

 

[Hawkeye83]

I know some say they are super fragile, others say fairly durable. I've had good luck with mine so far, beyond the SPL discrepancy between the two speakers. Mine were "closet queens" from what I've been told...stashed away for years...pulled out just a few years ago. I've been playing mine nearly daily for a year, with no issues. Y'all are making me nervous though!!!

I wish I had a frame of reference. I need to hear a restored pair. Mine sound good to me, but maybe there is another level yet with a "fresh" pair...

 

[mhardy6647]

I know some say they are super fragile, others say fairly durable. I've had good luck with mine so far, beyond the SPL discrepancy between the two speakers. Mine were "closet queens" from what I've been told...stashed away for years...pulled out just a few years ago. I've been playing mine nearly daily for a year, with no issues. Y'all are making me nervous though!!!

I wish I had a frame of reference. I need to hear a restored pair. Mine sound good to me, but maybe there is another level yet with a "fresh" pair...

Mine have a history similar to yours.

The thing to be nervous about is power. The ESL-57 is insensitive, it's a difficult load, and it cannot handle too much power without arcing the panels (especially the treble panels). Depending on the amp you're using (and how loud you listen) you're probably either just fine or you're an accident just waiting to happen.

It does take a certain level of masochism to own and love ESL-57s.

 

[Hawkeye83]

Mine have a history similar to yours.

The thing to be nervous about is power. The ESL-57 is insensitive, it's a difficult load, and it cannot handle too much power without arcing the panels (especially the treble panels). Depending on the amp you're using (and how loud you listen) you're probably either just fine or you're an accident just waiting to happen.

It does take a certain level of masochism to own and love ESL-57s.

I think my amp is okay (Monarchy SM 70)...I got it off of a "recommended amps" list for the Quads here on AK. Any my room is small and I keep the volume low...usually 75-80 dB PEAKS (even with my KEF 107's which CAN certainly get VERY LOUD, I don't listen very loud, usually). But yeah, no doubt many people obtain these speakers one way or another, DON'T do the research, hook up the biggest amp they've got and crank it up! Duh, why wouldn't you?! Wait, why are these things lighting up?! $hit...

I can take further discussion to PM, don't want to de-rail the thread. But I suppose the info is somewhat relevant...people need to know what they're getting into when they get these things!