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  1. #1
    It's just a hobby
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    Quad ESL 57 - Walker's little wonder

    After a bit of scouring and soul searching, I have been offered a pair of Quad ESL 57 , Any tips?

    Thanks in advance.


  2. #2
    Silence of the spam Site Moderator Geoffcin's Avatar
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    Yes

    Quote Originally Posted by theaudiohobby
    After a bit of scouring and soul searching, I have been offered a pair of Quad ESL 57 , Any tips?

    Thanks in advance.

    Buy them!
    Audio;
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  3. #3
    Phila combat zone JoeE SP9's Avatar
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    I second that.
    ARC SP9 MKIII, VPI HW19, Rega RB300
    Marcof PPA1, Shure, Sumiko, Ortofon carts, Yamaha DVD-S1800
    Behringer UCA222, Emotiva XDA-2, HiFimeDIY
    Accuphase T101, Teac V-7010, Nak ZX-7. LX-5, Behringer DSP1124P
    Front: Magnepan 1.7, DBX 223SX, 2 modified Dynaco MK3's, 2, 12" DIY TL subs (Pass El-Pipe-O) 2 bridged Crown XLS-402
    Rear/HT: Emotiva UMC200, Acoustat Model 1/SPW-1, Behringer CX2310, 2 Adcom GFA-545

  4. #4
    Forum Regular
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    Enjoy the Music!

  5. #5
    Forum Regular Florian's Avatar
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    Buy them only if

    The foils are in good shape
    The caps arent leaking
    The speaker still can hold the electric charge.

    Check with the Quad usergroup first, these are like Apogee very old and properbly need restoration.

    -Flo
    Lots of music but not enough time for it all

  6. #6
    Forum Regular Peter_Klim's Avatar
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    They're great speaker but...it depends...

    What do you plan to use them with?
    What music to do you listen to and do you like loud deep bass?
    Do you listen to music oniy sitting in your sweet spot?
    Last edited by Peter_Klim; 06-26-2005 at 08:06 PM. Reason: spell check

  7. #7
    Phila combat zone JoeE SP9's Avatar
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    http://www.quadesl.com/quad_main.shtml

    Above is the web site for Quad repairs and restoration if needed. The question about the type of music is a valid one. ESL57's don't have any low bass. What bass they do have is stunning. It just doesn't go very deep. In the early 80's I had a chane to listen to one of the truly high end systems of the time. A pair of stacked ESL 57's with Decca ribbon tweeters and a pair of Hartly subwoofers, it was called the HQD system. Although it has been 20+ years I still think it was one of the best systems I've ever heard. ESL 57's have midrange to die for. I better stop this I can feel QUADlust coming on. I have attached a picture of a pair of stacked QUAD's
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Quad ESL 57 - Walker's little wonder-stacked-esl57.jpg  
    ARC SP9 MKIII, VPI HW19, Rega RB300
    Marcof PPA1, Shure, Sumiko, Ortofon carts, Yamaha DVD-S1800
    Behringer UCA222, Emotiva XDA-2, HiFimeDIY
    Accuphase T101, Teac V-7010, Nak ZX-7. LX-5, Behringer DSP1124P
    Front: Magnepan 1.7, DBX 223SX, 2 modified Dynaco MK3's, 2, 12" DIY TL subs (Pass El-Pipe-O) 2 bridged Crown XLS-402
    Rear/HT: Emotiva UMC200, Acoustat Model 1/SPW-1, Behringer CX2310, 2 Adcom GFA-545

  8. #8
    It's just a hobby
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    Quote Originally Posted by Peter_Klim
    They're great speaker but...it depends...
    ..
    What do you plan to use them with?

    My current amplifier.

    What music to do you listen to and do you like loud deep bass?

    I listen to a large gamut of genres, yes I like deep bass, but I will be using a subwoofer with this one and sometimes sacrifice bass to get the finesse these speakers provide.

    Do you listen to music only sitting in your sweet spot?

    Nope.

    I have heard the speakers with my amplifier, so I know that the combo works however I am thinking of using a less powerful amplifier, so that over-ethusiastic use of the volume will not damage the speakers. I heard the speaker a while back and the sound stayed with me. I am going to test the speakers with my own amplifier, so I do not expect these to be a restoration project, sometime in the future, I hope I can upgrade to the OTEC spec, but until then I hope I can enjoy them as is .
    Last edited by theaudiohobby; 06-27-2005 at 03:19 AM.

  9. #9
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    I am thinking of ways to address the back radiation, any ideas on this front?

    Thanks, shola.

  10. #10
    Phila combat zone JoeE SP9's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by theaudiohobby
    I am thinking of ways to address the back radiation, any ideas on this front?

    Thanks, shola.
    I have owned only planar speakers of one type or another since I bought a pair of Magnepan MG1's in the middle seventies. I have found over the years that positioning dipolar radiators 3ft. or more from a wall that has a mix of absorbant dispersant and reflective surfaces seems to work best. The live end dead end room which works well for boxes is death on dipolars. 18 inches or more from side walls is all that is necessary because of the extreme directivity of panels. Integrating a subwoofer can sometimes be difficult with any electrostatic speaker beacuse of the quickness of it's response. I would try 100hz as the maximum upper frequency fed to your sub. My Acoustat ESL's are crossed over to my subs at 85hz. For me that frequency involves minimum compromise. You will have to experiment with the crossover frequency to determine what is best for you and your environment. Contrary to what some manufacturers say the position of your sub is critical. With one sub, between the 2 panels is the best place to start. You will be listening to one of the most revealing speakers ever made and positioning of the sub with respect to the panels is critical. I sure you will enjoy them even before you have them "tweaked" in. ESL buyers tend to get off the speaker upgrade path except to by bigger or more of the same speaker. Maggy owners are a lot like that, they tend to by only larger Maggies.
    ARC SP9 MKIII, VPI HW19, Rega RB300
    Marcof PPA1, Shure, Sumiko, Ortofon carts, Yamaha DVD-S1800
    Behringer UCA222, Emotiva XDA-2, HiFimeDIY
    Accuphase T101, Teac V-7010, Nak ZX-7. LX-5, Behringer DSP1124P
    Front: Magnepan 1.7, DBX 223SX, 2 modified Dynaco MK3's, 2, 12" DIY TL subs (Pass El-Pipe-O) 2 bridged Crown XLS-402
    Rear/HT: Emotiva UMC200, Acoustat Model 1/SPW-1, Behringer CX2310, 2 Adcom GFA-545

  11. #11
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    I collected ESL 57 today

    I collected them today and they sound as good as I remember them, excellent midrange clarity and excellent image delineation and no grain, excellent.

  12. #12
    Music Junkie E-Stat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by theaudiohobby
    I collected them today and they sound as good as I remember them, excellent midrange clarity and excellent image delineation and no grain, excellent.
    Congrats as they are one of the best ever!

    rw

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by E-Stat
    Congrats as they are one of the best ever!

    rw
    Thanks, much appreciated.

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