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IanG-UK
04-06-2011, 21:13
Hello to all - I'm from Yorkshire, UK and just coming up to the 40th anniversary of my first hifi purchase in October 1971 when I went to university.

Serious hifi started in about 1979 when I bought my first pair of the original Quad ESLs - followed by Quad ESL63s, Quad ESL989s and now, what is in my opinion their best loudspeaker product, Quad ESL2905s.

Electronics for the last ten years or so has been Audio Synthesis - but lately I've started a possible transition to PC-driven audio using an Apple Mac Book Pro and Apple iPad, feeding a Devialet D-Premier dac/pre/pwr.

This looks to be an interesting forum!
Reid Malenfant
04-06-2011, 21:23
Hi Ian, welcome to AoS :) I think if you own a pair of 2905s you have the Quad speaker i'd like & was looking into.. At least it has a decent diaphram area & does some bass as a consequence ;)

All the best, i hope you enjoy your stay! :wave:
IanG-UK
04-06-2011, 22:02
Thanks Mark.

The 2905 is an improvement over the 63 and the 989 in a few respects in my opinion:

1. Unlike the 63, it doesn't arc (I know the 63 wasn't supposed to - but it did occasionally);

2. Unlike the 63 and, very rarely, the 989, the diaphragms do not "spit" - presumably caused by some sort of charge/humidity instability;

3. Unlike the 63 and, to a lesser extent, the 989, it will go really loud and pretty low - recognising that an electrostatic bass is different from a moving coil bass (more integrated but less noticeable in my opinion);

4. Build-wise, the 2905 is superior - very rigid, great ergonomics and beautiful finish; and

5. The weight and spikes of the 2905 mean it does not move, at all, once sited, unlike its predecessors.

I think that all users would acknowledge that the 2905 (or 2805) is superior to the 989 (or 988) and the 63. There will be differences of opinion when compared with the 57 - for reasons too diverse to air here!
Ali Tait
05-06-2011, 08:06
Hi Ian,
Welcome. Nice speakers, and I'd like to hear a pair. I've had 57's in the past, and currently have a pair of ER Audio Acorns, though not in use at the moment as I need to repair one of the panels. I'd be interested in how they compare to the Quads.
bob orbell
05-06-2011, 09:26
Welcome Ian, wish I had the space for elecrostatics. BOB
Ammonite Audio
05-06-2011, 11:38
Oooh! Devialet D-Premier! I want one. You lucky chap!
IanG-UK
05-06-2011, 12:45
Welcome Ian, wish I had the space for elecrostatics. BOB

You probably do Bob - mine are in a room only 10ft wide and 18ft long, albeit dedicated to music listening!
IanG-UK
05-06-2011, 12:46
Oooh! Devialet D-Premier! I want one. You lucky chap!

The Devialet is very nice and so compact for a dac/pre/pwr - and configurable too.

The sound is terrific into electrostatics!
IanG-UK
05-06-2011, 12:54
Hi Ian,
Welcome. Nice speakers, and I'd like to hear a pair. I've had 57's in the past, and currently have a pair of ER Audio Acorns, though not in use at the moment as I need to repair one of the panels. I'd be interested in how they compare to the Quads.

Hi Ali

Thanks for your welcome.

I had 57s too - from 1979 to around 1983 when I got the ESL63s, later with the Gradient SW63 subwoofers. Since then the 989s and now the 2905s.

I've never tried other ESLs though I was tempted to build a pair quite a few years ago - fortunately I never started because I am sure I would have never finished!

Pity you are so far away - I'm in West Yorkshire.