After 500 were produced, the design was modified to accommodate the appearance of stereo records. The major crosby modifications to the stock esl63designed by richard lees and implemented by jerry crosbyincluded a much stiffer frame, far better internal wire, parts, and connectors, a thinner dust cover, a more transparent grille. Below you see a quad of only condition matched panels b. I have several of these available and will include one of each with the sale. The problem is that there is more than one panel inside the quads and when one goes it is likely that the others may not be far behind. The three flat panels that make up one loudspeaker are arranged in a. So, there is the mystery of how the treble panel gets its charge solved. The paper is not needed in the lower frequency bass panels. This is quite reasonable because it is really a strip source, you can extend the. Difficult to manufacture, easy to destroy with too much power, the quad esls need the same gentle handling one would apply to driving a prewwii automobile. It gets its charge from the two eht bolts which contact the carbon frame the same as in the bass panel.
Repair, parts, history, mathematics, panel coatings, original panel structure schematics, and all cross referenced to patent information published. Quad esl 63 loudspeakers for repair or restoration. That was a bit disappointing because i believed this was audio nirvana. Quad musikwiedergabe produce original panels with the original jig, developed by peter walker. It is just that in the treble panel these have been covered by gray paint and the paper strips. Anyhow, i hope you have a long stay on these forums. Elements with quadcore technology achieve a classification of bs1, d0.
Below you will found our manuals on the quad esl63. The modern line started with the esl 63, then was followed by the 988, then the 2805, and then the 2812. Quad continued to refine the 63, the first major deviation being the addition of two extra panels to create the neardouble height 989. This image shows the esl63 grill with the tape holding it to the speaker.
When the 988 was released, quad also released a larger. He personally took me through the assembly of a quad esl 63. People who build or rebuild panels using the originals 7 to 40 years old as a reference are producing a panel that sounds like the old panel sounds now, not as it did all those years ago. Quad esl 576398xx repairservicerenewalrefurbishment. Another thing people like to do is to use two of our panels, one above the other. Tony faulkner recording engineer, interviewed 2003 for quad the closest approach by ken kessler said, for my tastes, i prefer the sound with the speakers a foot or a little more off the floor, on open stands to tighten the bass. These one owner speakers are recent trade ins and are in excellent shape. It also has a patent history section for the esl 63.
Electrostatic loudspeakers by er audio kits build your own. Mine are about 88cm in from the side wall and about 1. As far as quads, method of tensioning the mylar diaphragm, it was a complex jig using pulleys and weights. If vocals and mainstream classical is your flavor, the esl or stacked would be the better because of the magical midrange. However, i have the quad esl 63, so i know very well the sound signature of the quads. The actual choice of which coating to employ in the original quad esl wasis part of this optimization. Quad 988 versus quad 2805 audiogon discussion forum. Question regarding quad esl 63 planar speaker asylum. All quad electrostatics from the esl63 onwards have eight concentric rings in the two centre stators, connected via delay lines that progressively delay the feed to the larger, outer rings.
If you love the sound of the esl 63 then it is worth it. You can also realize the correct mechanical tension of a single esl63 panel by simply measuring its acoustical resonance frequency by using your pcs. I was just sitting here and brainstorming about adding 1 or 2 bass panels to each of my esl 63. That display of genius which makes peter walker something of an audio deity. I finally decided to upgrade to full range electrostatics, so i purchased a pair of esl 63 s from one thing audio, who specializes in rebuilding quad speakers and bringing them up to current audio specifications. Sds audio labs modern quad electrostatic loudspeaker info. Also when you go there thay have a few upgrades that may be more efficient in protecting and improving the speaker. If the title doesnt say it all, then let us remind you.
This image shows a package of windowseal kit, which you can buy at any. Delivers an air and moisture barrier that maximizes energy ef. Sam tellig also wrote about the quad esl63 in january 1987 vol. This panel will need rebuilding and is for spare parts only. In any case it is recommended to replace the panels in pairs. It was a good design utilizing an improved version of the patented current dumping circuit. After some measuring i quickly discovered that stacking the panels on top of each other, rather than sidebyside, would put the midhigh panel in exactly the right listening height. Sds audio labs quad electrostatic loudspeaker measurements. The quad esl the quad esl is a site dedicated to the original quad electrostatic loudspeaker. You have to put up with some pain to get the most from them. White blue grey beige ivory nickelsilver pewter green brown multi red black yellow pink purple orange bronze gold clear brass 84 95 63 108 96 54 72 over 120 72. Frank in the usa recently purchased a partially built esl iv kit, the panels were assembled by us, he chose to assemble the electronics.
The dq10 while not having the magic midrange of the esl had better extension. The source of this information is a former quad employee. Welcome to sds labs, i have been rebuilding the quad electrostatic loudspeakers quad esl for over twenty years. Nicetown sheer window panel curtains grommet top gauzy sheer drapes lightweight breathable panels for windows 2pack, 54 wide x 63 inch long, white 4. Morris diamond 4pack rod pocket window curtain panels with voile in indigo. The plinths protective circuit will not trigger, as it is calibrated for a fourpanel load. The quad 63 repair kit has been designed to address the most common issues found with faulty esl panels, namely, low or distorted output from one or both speakers and strange noises such as hissing, clicking, popping etc. Although i was quite happy with the martinlogan sequels, i have dreamed of owning quad esl s since 1981. I rebuild the original esls as well as the esl63s and newer quads 988, 989, 2805, 2905, 2812, and 2912 to original performance or better. Quad musikwiedergabe we deliver electrostatics, worldwide. These loudspeakers are in many ways still stateoftheart even more than 45 years later.
The owners manual is used as an reference guide, instruction manual and instruction book. Despite certain qualities about the esl63 speakers which you will probably like, quad equipment is not designed primarily for audiophiles, but for seriousmusic call that classical listeners who play records more for musical enjoyment than for the sound. In 1959 the esl57 was licensed to the german braun company and sold in germany as braun le1. Actually, i think i prefer my quad esl 63 over the full range sound lab for most jazz, rock and folk music. Unfortunately one of the speakers 24784 exhibits a moderate volume squealing noise, with no apparent drop out in. This would never work with the later esl63 with its more sophisticated attempt to recreate a point source. The performance was and remains so convincing, despite its bass and level constraints, that the original esl stayed in production until 1985, overlapping with the quad 63 introduced in 1981.
The service manual functions as a repair guide for troubleshooting and sometimes contains tips for refurbishing and modifications. Refurbishing classic quad electrostatic loudspeakers. I have access to and have listened to mint esl63s and acoustats. The quad 63 is an excellent loudspeaker but early models have now reached an age where they can become temperamental. From curtains to blinds, drapes and more, weve got your windows covered with overstock your online home decor store. This image shows the two top segments of the esl63 after removal, exposing the panel. This makes the esl 2905 a good companion for the moscode 401 hr, the more so as harvey gizmo rosenberg to whom the 401 is dedicated hence the hr chaired the quad esl owners club way back when. Quad 606 solidstate 198797 this was a real power horse intended for driving the esl63 and professional speakers. Window film kits are more than acceptable for repairing original esl bass panel dust covers. The modern line started with the esl63, then was followed by the 988, then the 2805, and then the 2812.
Quad 57 repair quad 63 repair martin logan repair acoustat repair panels and electronics klh 9 repair panels and electronics. I test my speaker rebuilds at several points in the process. For panel testing i use a calibrated measurement microphone and either fuzzmeasure or software that i have written specifically for speaker testing. The quad electrostatic loudspeaker esl is a classic british. Quad rates the esl 2905 at about 86db sensitivity and a nominal impedance of 8 ohms the impedance fluctuates between 4 and 20. In accordance with din 41021, this is equivalent to the design approval hardly inflammable.
We can help you with esl loudspeaker repair from many of the past and present companies such as martin logan, acoustat, quad klh, janszen, rtr, beveridge, ess, audio static sound labs, mas and many others. I have heard the montis, but no store in my city has the new quads. This table lists speaker serial numbers against year of manufacture. Owning a pair of quad esl63 speakers is like marriage to a difficult woman you lovehard to live without, sometimes hard to live with. Regardless their size, the panels where not convincing for bass or for punch. I also own three pairs of quad esl57s for stacking and with enough spare panelsrectifier blocks etc to build a fourth pair. Quad esl6398xx repairservicerenewalrefurbishmentmodification.
So while electrostats seem like an ideal solution on paper, they arent exactly ideal roommates. Most models in the range use four of these panels the taller versions. One speaker works fine but the other needs a tweeter and a midbass panel replaced. Quad esl 63 room positioning 2 channel hifi wigwam. In the 25 years of its production, 60,000 quads were sold. We also have single esl63 spare panelselements for sale. The quad esl63 is an event of considerable significance to both listener and engineer, destined to have an important influence upon the quality of reproduction which we can expect in the future. I have roomspace for the much bigger quad esl2912, although i like the looks of the montis.
I listen to a fair bit of organ music and the esl can not handle it. Quad custom 5 panel esl 63 quads unlimited planars. Transparent, open window reproducers of the natural timbre of acoustic. Driving a single esl63 panel with this amplifier corresponds to driving all four panels of an esl63 with an 180 watt amplifier. When the 988 was released, quad also released a larger speaker with 50% more panel area designated the 989. Black pro version all panels completely rebuilt by sheldon stokes recognized quad expert never used since rebuild stored. Perhaps my biggest audio regret is selling my crosbymodified quad esl63s with their matching stands. Here is a paper i wrote for the esl circuit and audio asylum recently that relates in a nontechnical way, the effects of ageing on quad panels.
Diy repair series of a quad 63 electrostatic speaker. Both the hightension supply and the amplifier deliver about the same highvoltage charge to the panels. Backed by a 15 year warranty available for new construction if you are a certi. These kits provide sufficient materials to rediaphram a pair of quad 63s, quad 57s or. As a quad 63gradient sw63 user, i am sure that 63s would work fine in your room and give you a good central image. Download the quad esl63 manuals for free hifi manuals. It began what i call the modern quad electrostatic loudspeakers. Quad esl2912 vs martin logan montis steve hoffman music. Here is a comparison between panels with quadcore technology and other elements. Frank is very experienced with loudspeaker design and construction and along with a couple of audiophile friends decided to compare the esl iv. When testing a treble panel, i use eighthead jumper cables in order to bridge all eight segments, so that the entire panel. The membrane was painted with peters secret emulsion.
Beautiful quads unlimited custom 5 panel esl63 speakers in figured cherry wood. This is principle behind every quad esl since the 63. Tan grill cloth also included with purchase along with optional wood stands. The esl63s plinth multiplies the voltage output of the amplifier onehundredfold, from about 50 volts to about 5,000 volts. Quadlock panels are 48 1219mm long, 12 305mm high and available in different thicknesses. The other important factor is to have some sort of hard wall or wooden panelling, dry wall, brick or hard board as the main material for the back wall please do not use glass covered with curtains. As many of you know i recently came into possession of a nice set of quad esl63 usa monitors, serial numbers 24783 and 24784. Together with the later esl63, peter walker developed the two very best electrostatics ever. But nevertheless the resonancefrequencies only differ by about 1 hz because of precise individual tension gauging at the very moment of gluing the diaphragms to the front stators.
During the initial repairs, i had already noticed that the quad esl exists of three separate panels, two for bass, one for mid and highs. Quad esl 5763 repair, servicing and upgrading, finishing and refining. The smoking behavior is classified with the addition s1 and stands for very low smoke behavior. Also, the sound off the back of the plastic panel diaphram is slightly later than the. Quad esl loudspeakers old school toneaudio magazine.
Quad esl information regarding use and repair of the original esls and esl63s. The later esl 63 does a far better job than the esl. Diy hybrid electrostats audioholics home theater forums. Quads loudspeakers do not reproduce very deep bass and will not play at aurally traumatizing volume levels, and.