The Workbench

Re: NON B&O speaker question

Vienna — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 07:29:08 GMT

Medogsfat:

I haven't even SEEN them yet but judging by the positive responses so far I'll get them round to my gaff & see where we go from there. Thanks for the replies so far, it seems like they are worth saving. A quick google tells me these aren't cheap!

The picture shows "Double (stacked) Quads" and the custom made assembly frame

It's quite funny to see the shift in your own priorities during the last decades - those days
a 15" Sony TV but substantial speakers & amps ...

Re: NON B&O speaker question

chartz — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 01:14:35 GMT

Medogsfat:

chartz:

Hi,

I suppose you did plug them to the wall and feed them with 240 V then?

Jacques

I haven't even SEEN them yet

Yes. Maybe your neighbour's daughter tried them but she didn't know these needed power to work! Maybe they are perfectly alright!

Good luck!

Jacques

Re: NON B&O speaker question

Vienna — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:09:31 GMT

Medogsfat:

I'd ask here first before inviting them into my home

Passion will be necessary!

Owned two pairs of them in the 70s - configured as "Double (stacked) Quads"
I've to find, scan & post the old polaroids.

Delicate speakers in every sense - critical to position - the exact opposite of a BLb5.
Somehow like a F1 car - only a perfec set up will give you a fascinating performance.

Re: NON B&O speaker question

tournedos — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:31:34 GMT

Medogsfat:

Jaff I agree with your "out of the box" comment & I've often wondered about this technology but never really looked ito it. Looks like that is gonna change

Chris.

I've had a pair of DIY electrostatics (by someone else, along with a tube power amp) standing behind my chair at the office for at least two years. I have no power supplies for them, and the membranes are most likely shot - which is why I haven't bothered building the PSUs, and why the whole project is waiting for a round tuit... so I guess I'm an expert on ESLs

But do fix those Quads one way or another. They are definite classics, and sound mindblasting! It's been a while but I think the time I heard them was in some control room / recording studio at our national broadcasting company. Some relic from old times, these locations are now typically crowded by Genelecs...

Re: NON B&O speaker question

Medogsfat — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:57:26 GMT

chartz:

Hi,

I suppose you did plug them to the wall and feed them with 240 V then?

Jacques

I haven't even SEEN them yet but judging by the positive responses so far I'll get them round to my gaff & see where we go from there. Thanks for the replies so far, it seems like they are worth saving. A quick google tells me these aren't cheap!

Jaff I agree with your "out of the box" comment & I've often wondered about this technology but never really looked ito it. Looks like that is gonna change

Chris.

Re: NON B&O speaker question

chartz — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:40:29 GMT

Hi,

I suppose you did plug them to the wall and feed them with 240 V then?

Jacques

Re: NON B&O speaker question

burantek — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:35:48 GMT

Chris,

I am not terribly familiar w/ Quad ESL speakers, nor ESL's in general. I have, however, done some legwork in the past on magneto/electro speakers when considering Magnepans and especially, Bertagnis. I seem to have come to the conclusion, perhaps wrongly, that they can be rather "delicate" or "fragile" compared to what we are used to. They didn't seem to be prone to take repairs well, short of exchanging for NOS parts, which can be hard to come by. What I did like about them was the "thinking outside the box" designs both acoustically and aesthetically that the ESL technology afforded the designers.

Here is a site for further reading especially w/ regards to maintenance of the Quad ESL's.

Re: NON B&O speaker question

Peter — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:30:11 GMT

Gorgeous speakers - however not simple! Quad will service them still and this is probably your best option if you are planning on selling them - they make very good prices. Frede has ESL63s I think and he services Quad equipment - postage might be an issue though!

NON B&O speaker question

Medogsfat — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:21:50 GMT

My neighbours sister has a pair of Quad electrostatic speakers which have been in storage & no longer produce any sound. I have no experience whatsoever with this speaker design & you guys are the people I know who may have some advice.

I haven't seen them yet but thought I'd ask here first before inviting them into my home. Is it worth me having a look at them pending someone who could help?

Chris.