Replacement for QUAD ESL 57?

[krugdoktor]

Hi all!

Due to reliability problems I don't want to discuss here I consider changing my QUAD ESL 57 against another speaker. I'm fully aware that there is no really good substitute because the QUADs do sound absolutely fantastic (when working properly)!
So it's no easy task to find a worthy contender. I hope the collective wisdom of AoS generates some good suggestions.
The speaker in question should also be of the sensitive variety, because it should work with QUAD IIs and (in hot summer) with a class A transistor amp http://www.audioprojekte.de/html/ca10en.html .

Thanks for your help!

Michael

[rubber duck]

Given your location I would have thought this (http://www.wlm-loudspeakers.com/indexengl.html) might be the obvious choice? Would love to hear these myself.

[jandl100]

When I had Quad 63 (I know, not the same as yours, but they are kind of similar!) I changed to ProAc Response 2 and in my opinion the ProAcs were better in every way. You can still find them occasionally on the used market, but you must use heavy stands with them or you are wasting your time - Target R2 stands are ideal.

Alternatively, LS3/5a speakers do the same kind of thing, in a smaller way, but I would definitely use them with a good small subwoofer.

Lots of other choices of course, and speakers are very personal items.

[krugdoktor]

Hi Jeff
WLM looks interesting and they got a lot of good reviews. Thanks for the tip!
Michael

[krugdoktor]

Hi Jerry!

Once I had a little Spendor S3/5 at home (as a substitute for my ESL 57 which were repaired) and I found this little box surprisingly capable. It was driven by my QUAD IIs in the "original" 16 ohm setting and the sound was really fantastic. The LS3/5a was more or less the "previous version" of the S3/5 so I should possibly look into the direction of the Stirling broadcast version. Does anybody have some experience with these?

Michael

[DSJR]

Re LS3/5A's, the Stirling HS88 'version' is very similar to the Rogers Anniversary 3/5A of a few years ago and tweaked a bit over the 'official' Stirling V2. Of course, the original 15 Ohm model is now being re-manufactured with faithfully recreated drivers by Falcon, so you could always look there...


This is a totally off the way suggestion, and modern SL models may be balanced differently, but twenty odd years ago when I owned a pair of gloss-red ATC ACM20's, I was able to compare them directly with a good original pair of 57's and actually to our surprise and efficiency apart, they sounded incredibly similar, the ATC's having better dispersion as you'd expect. Amp was an unassuming Quad 66/606 (limiters fitted in the 57's) and the sound from both was magical. make of this what you like, but I thought I'd drop it in the pot anyway.

P.S. I think the Response 2 was one of Pro-Ac's best ever speakers and I liked then a lot at hifi dave's old place in Radlett, as almost all the others suffer a tinkly treble allied to an often sluggish boom passing for bass, the midrange being in there 'somewhere.'

[krugdoktor]

Thanks David!

I was hoping for a lot of "leftfield" suggestions (horns, widebanders etc.). I fear the ATCs will not be sensitive enough for the QUAD II, let alone for my 2x10watt class A amp (which works perfectly with the ESL 57).

Michael

[dowser]

63s :)

[DSJR]

Thanks David!

I was hoping for a lot of "leftfield" suggestions (horns, widebanders etc.). I fear the ATCs will not be sensitive enough for the QUAD II, let alone for my 2x10watt class A amp (which works perfectly with the ESL 57).

Michael

Sorry, no, your amps won't get a good level going with the ATC's as sensitivity, or lack of it, is their biggest issue. Many horn speakers are incredibly coloured (part of their nature), but I do remember some early noughties production Klipschorns sounding superb. Mind you, I think even these like some proper power in reserve.

You know, away from audiophoolery, I do believe there are some bargain amps to be had that DON'T need class-A to sound good (Class A may have been necessary when transistors were variable and not consistent in production but those days are well behind us now). Heck, even an ancient Quad 303 once fully restored sounds great with suitable speakers and a friend even put the limiters in her 57's and uses a 606 to excellent effect...

Sorry if I'm not saying the right things to you ;) maybe one or two of the Audio Note speakers might do what you want?

[walpurgis]

My transistor Class A power amps sound very different to any non Class A I've used. A Quad 303 is not really comparable (yes I know what a decent 303 sounds like).

[Macca]

If you want left field suggestions consider some 'Kabuki' speakers such as these Akais that I use:

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac233/Macca_photos_2009/akai2001.jpg (http://s903.photobucket.com/user/Macca_photos_2009/media/akai2001.jpg.html)

They generally have 92 to 98 dB sensitivity so should match your amps (winter and Summer) unless you want high SPL and the style of presentation is not a million miles away from the QUAD ESL. Would mean searching down some and traveling to collect but they can usually be acquired for under £200.

[DSJR]

Different? I hope you don't mean like Sugden slush-boxes (not all of them, but some Sugdens are truly dire, as if you've placed a blanket over the speakers - and real life is NOT like that!). Horses for courses, but my own II's and the rebuilt 303 I wish to have back at some point, actually sounded much the same, as well they should. The 303 FOR ME, is about as far in terms of 'velvet tones' as I want to go in all honesty.

[walpurgis]

No, mine are very punchy, lucid and tight. No slushiness whatsoever. Just a superb insight and transparency and NO discernible colourations or grit. Happy to prove it to anybody wanting to pop by.

[Ninanina]

Hi Michael
I've also owned 57's, and for a short time I used 63's as well, but unfortunately when I moved house the 57's just couldn't be made to work properly in their new room

I now own a pair of Klipsch Heresys (horns!) which I love and if you only have 10watts of class A that would drive them to VERY loud levels indeed as they are so easy to drive, also around 95dB. I forget what the output of Quad II's are, even though I owned a pair, but I am sure they would be more than enough for the Klipsch as well

The Heresy is the only speaker I have owned twice, so you can see how well I rate them

It's not a well known make in the UK and a lot of people mis understand horns I believe but I love them... A pair just sold on eBay for just under £500 and I don't think that is too bad. A new pair of MK III's are about £1,500

What you will notice about the Klipsch is that they are very heavily built, and they are definitely NOT as fragile as I know some 57 / 63's can be. Also I don't find them too fussy about positioning

Hope that helps some ;)

[krugdoktor]

Thanks a lot for all the good suggestions!

Especially a big hug for Bev because she got a lot of not very fair beating lately for her SLIC threads. I think she is really happy with her cable and her Heresy's and tried to share her positive findings. Keep on the good work Bev!!

Michael