Quad ESL 57 speakers

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Diapason
Posts: 4127
Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:51 am

Re: Quad ESL 57 speakers

Post by Diapason »

My thoughts on that will follow in due course!

(I don't think I've ever heard smaller Martin Logans sound really well, they always sound glassy to me, but that's under show conditions where electrostatics especially can't be trusted. Of course, my memory is that the CLS IIz provided some of the best sounds I've ever heard, and that Quads aren't at that level.)
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DaveF
Posts: 2869
Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2010 10:38 pm

Re: Quad ESL 57 speakers

Post by DaveF »

Looking forward to your thoughts on the ESL57 vs Kharmas.

Diapason wrote: I don't think I've ever heard smaller Martin Logans sound really well, they always sound glassy to me, but that's under show conditions where electrostatics especially can't be trusted.
I think the worst sound I've ever heard were a pair of large Martin Logons driven my some Audio Research amps at the hifi show last November. All very pricey stuff too but the sound had an ear piercing treble that was near unbearable. That said I heard the smaller Logons in Cloney's recently being driven by a Classe amp. A far better match but wasnt really the sound for me.
"I may skip. I may even warp a little.... But I will never, ever crash. I am your friend for life. " -Vinyl.
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Ivor
Posts: 4229
Joined: Sat Jan 16, 2010 11:21 pm

Re: Quad ESL 57 speakers

Post by Ivor »

I'd agree on the Martin Logans. Awful things generally. It's not just the harshness but also incompatibility of the ranges - the built in sub simply did it's own thing. I'm sure if set up correctly they would sound great but I've heard them several times (admittedly at shows) and they've been the worst speakers I've ever heard.

Si, try listening to "Joshua Judges Ruth" on the 57s.
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jaybee
Posts: 1216
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:33 am

Re: Quad ESL 57 speakers

Post by jaybee »

you could listen to that on a tin can and it'd sound good!!
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outdoors and several miles away....
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