O
O'Shag
Junior Audioholic
The quads you are talking about are probably the ESL63s or might possibly have been the original ELS57 model. Dubbed 'Walker's Wonder' after their inventor the late Sir Peter Walker, These are still recognized among the very best speakers of all time, and are highly prized among audiophiles. They are electrostatics of a very unique and effective design, and like all electrostatics do have advantages in the mid and upper range compared to box designs. The quads specifically are simply amazing, creating a beautifully transparent accurate mid and upper range that puts the performer right in front of the listener with plenty of air and space around instruments and vocalists. They do have weaknesses however, in that the membrane is delicate. You have to be careful to pair them with the right electronics, otherwise damage can result.jeffsg4mac said:Back in the late 80's, at an audio snob shop in Tampa bay, I heard, what I thought at that time, was the best sounding setup I ever heard. It was a set of Quads on a Mark Levinson Pre-Amp and Amp; I have now surpassed that level of fidelity in my opinion. I know you can't compare what you heard 20 years ago to something today, but what I mean is that when I listen to music now I am not listening for flaws anymore but rather just sitting back and listening, enjoying and having fun.
What are some of your thoughts?
I'd say your inital impression back in the 80s was accurate. My guess is that if you were to hear these again, and compare them to your Paradigms, you'd be surprised just how good they are despite their age. One thing is for sure, they would be in a different league for transparency, and accuracy in the mid and upper ranges.
O'Shag
Austin Powers of Audio