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Quad ESL 57

rickelrod

rickelrod

Active Member
So I took some equipment in need of repair to a reputable shop today. First time there as it is well over an hour from my house. While there the owner demo'd a set of the Quad esl 57's through some Macintosh tube gear. I believe it was the most smooth, soothing music I have yet to experience. I have a Dynakit ST70 and PAS 2 which Currently are running some Cornwalls but I can't stop thinking about how I would love to put the cash together for the 57's or 63's. He said my tube gear would play nice with the Quads. Please talk me off of the ledge. LOL

Rick
 
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I've never heard Quads, but I have heard a number of other highly regarded electrostats and I say, if you can live with the inherent disadvantages of ESLs, (volume, frequency response extremes) Go for it!
There is nothing quite like a single source electrostat for coherency, and accuracy in tone and timbre.

Do keep us updated.
 
There are folks who love the sound of the Quads. They feel it has the purest midrange available. The earlier versions do have limitations in the extremes, with limited output in the bass, the highest region of treble extension, and macro dynamic swing. There have been folks who add ribbon tweeters and subwoofer modules to make them a true full range speaker. Over the years the later versions have improved in those areas. The 989 and 2905 have greater output, protection against arcing, deeper bass response, and improved top end. But the 57 have a beguiling midrange.

Now those earlier Quads are somewhat fragile. They were known to have spots burned through the mylar sheet from being overdriven by too powerful amplifiers. If you get a vintage set of Quads like the 57 or 63, its best to get ones that have been serviced, and with documentation. Cheap quads are really just another name for an upcoming repair bill. There are those who feel on the 57 and 63 will break, its just a matter of when.

It sounds like they are a speaker that beckons to you, and I certainly get that. Just spend the extra money and get a pair in excellent condition. They are not for everyone, but if you appreciate them then they are an excellent choice for what they do right.

Best of luck in your journey!

Regards
Mister Pig
 
Honest question. I know IN GENERAL electrostats have a reputation for being power hungry and having impedance dips which makes me think that a ST-70 might not cut it. In fact I was just talking to a local tech who I was asking if he'd look at a HK 775 amp for me (160w mono, 4 ohm rated) and he told me that he'd just fixed a pair for a customer who'd been running them on electrostats and blew them up to the point that one of the power transformers was damaged. Are Quads kinder than other electrostats? Was Jimmy's customer an idiot with the volume knob? Or is a 35WPC tube amp really not adequate for more than chamber music?

Understand that I have no experience with electrostats but what I always understood to be common wisdom was they really like lots of power and more importantly current. If I'm wrong I'd love an explanation.
 
Thanks guys. The seller (again, a very reputable shop) has rebuilt/restored the set of 63's and has done many in the past. He explained the process to me but may had well been speaking French as it mostly bounced right off. I will be speaking with him soon with regards to the equipment I left for repair. I can tell you this, if I could easily afford them I would have left with them today! Thanks again for your input.

Rick
 
They do have a lovely and very "present" sound that seems to hover in the room - I've heard some classical on them.

I've never heard them for rock though (which is what I listen to) and an unmaintained pair can be a real headache to restore.
 
I too feel in love with the sound of early Quad's. Your tube equipment will be fine. They have to be set right in a room to get their best, plus they need a good powered Sub Woofer at some point. You do need a qualified shop to support them, because they can have problems over time.
 
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rickelrod said:
Please talk me off of the ledge.
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Jump!!

Your gear would work fine with any of the Quad ESLs. Just make sure to listen to any prospects in person, unless you totally trust the seller. They will need to be plugged in for several hours first. Under the right lighting conditions, you can get a good idea of the treble panel condition (in the center, about 8" wide), at least in terms of any damage. The reflection from behind the grills should look smooth, with a couple of what look like upholstery buttons causing slight indentations. Play a mono source. The image should be in the center. If not, there is an issue with one of the high-voltage power supplies, but this is actually a relatively easy and inexpensive fix.

Good luck, and happy listening! :)
 
A purely objective observation:

The Quads are UGLY. However, when placed next to an adorable blond, they won't be as objectionable. There.

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GeeDeeEmm
 
Do it if you have the space and cash! The Quad 57's with a tube preamp and Class A SS amp was the best sound I have yet to hear in my home, as far as purely "making music." Ultimately I got rid of mine, worrying about repairs and wanting to only keep one pair of speakers, I went with the KEF 107's since they are also good for home theater. But I would not be surprised if I ended up buying a restored pair down the road.
 
N8Nagel said:
Honest question. I know IN GENERAL electrostats have a reputation for being power hungry and having impedance dips which makes me think that a ST-70 might not cut it. In fact I was just talking to a local tech who I was asking if he'd look at a HK 775 amp for me (160w mono, 4 ohm rated) and he told me that he'd just fixed a pair for a customer who'd been running them on electrostats and blew them up to the point that one of the power transformers was damaged. Are Quads kinder than other electrostats? Was Jimmy's customer an idiot with the volume knob? Or is a 35WPC tube amp really not adequate for more than chamber music?

Understand that I have no experience with electrostats but what I always understood to be common wisdom was they really like lots of power and more importantly current. If I'm wrong I'd love an explanation.
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Not all electrostatic speakers have the same characteristics. Some may be power-hungry, but Quads are not. In particular, 57's without the protection 'clamp' boards introduced later can only take 33 volts. More will make them arc, burning holes in the panels. So, anything above 30 watts or so requires some restraint with the volume control. Restored pairs are good for 100 dB peaks, but few owners play them that loudly. They don't need to be loud to 'sing', like so many folks describe their dynamic cone 'n' dome speakers. IME, they retain their sonics right down to whisper levels. And it's funny how they still sound good with holes in the panels...

As far as damaging amps, yes, it is possible. The 57's impedance curve is pretty wild, dipping to 2 ohms in the treble, and the load is capacitive. I've never heard of them blowing up a tube amp though - maybe due to the output transformers?

Here's a thread of mine about amplifiers with them:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/quad-esls-your-amplifier-experiences.671378/
 
Quad 57
I agree.
Lots of space and good amplification.
Beautiful midrange.
Mine may have been restored at some point because when I cleaned them up, lots of dust and fine dust adhered to the mylar, they they looked quite new.
No evidence of arcing or abuse.
Too bad the seller doesn't have pics of the refurb.
Perhaps pics of mine will indicate original or a rebuild?
I've read without abuse they can last indefinitely.

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HTWillie said:
That's what we call a SIGN! Until you get them, you won't stop thinking about them. Worst case scenario, you'll get used to them, then tired of them, and you can sell them off for little or no loss.
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Spot on! All I've been thinking about (when the wife and kids give me a chance)
 
Not to hijack the thread but the OP does mentioned "kids" so maybe this will be on point also. When there are kids (and/or pets) around, are there inherent dangers with the high voltages that accompany electrostatics that may be harmful to those who may not know better than to touch things?
 
-reverb- said:
Not to hijack the thread but the OP does mentioned "kids" so maybe this will be on point also. When there are kids (and/or pets) around, are there inherent dangers with the high voltages that accompany electrostatics that may be harmful to those who may not know better than to touch things?
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The electrostatic field itself isn't particularly dangerous nor is it particularly accessible -- the HV power supply isn't particularly accessible, either. I don't think ESL-57s per se are any more or less hazardous vis-a-vis "kids" than anything else in the home that is plugged into the wall.

FWIW.
 
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