But while browsing on the web site for audio equipment exchange Audiogon, I saw several QUAD ESL of the next generation (988 and 989) on the market (either used, demos or brand new ones). What is going on is that QUAD have recently announced a new generation of their superb ESL line the 2805 et 2905 I have to admit that the new model look is superb and they must have a divine sound. But at 9K US for the 2805 and 11K for the 2905 unfortunately they are out of reach for me.
But this gave me a taste to try to find a pair of 988 for a good price. What a great idea, the 988 would become my mains, the ESL-63 my surround, 4 QUADs this sounds too good to be true.
Unfortunately I was not fast enough to manage to win several of the used models that I saw over a few weeks. But after several contacts some phone calls and all, I managed to find an audio store in Florida that had already sold their demos, but were ready to make me a really good price on a brand new pair (and I chose black ones to match my ESL-63s). Of course I completely blew up my original budget for 2006 and my wife does not really know how much they cost (do not worry she has not interest in my web site!).
I had a lot of excitement to follow the progress of my package from Florida to Quebec through the DHL web site. 2 big boxes arrive at my house on the 16th of March. The delivery man thought they were big air filters because of the schema on the boxes explaining the structure of the speakers.
In comparison with the QUAD ESL-63 the first thing that was obvious was a higher degree of details. On many records that I know very well I heard more things than before, like click and key noise from the instruments, or musicians turning the page of their music sheets.
The other main difference is a better response at both extreme of the sound spectrum. Of course it is not surprising that the mid-bass is better, even the low notes of a cello sounds fuller. This is an obvious area where QUAD could improve over the ESL-63s. But the high frequencies (glockenspiel, cymbals…) are also cleaner and fuller without being harsh.
The only small default was at high volume they sounded just a tad constrained. I suspected that it was simply a question of letting them play for a while. And that is exactly what happened, they started to bloom better at high volume after 2-3 weeks of playing.
Wow! The gain in term of image stability and the cleanliness of the sound is fantastic! I can not prevent myself from raving again about some TACET recordings like the Beethoven Septet DVD-A. Absolutely gorgeous, the image is gigantic and the sound is ultra-precise. With the lights close I am really in a different world. Just one example, I feel as if I extend my arm behind me, I will touch the bassoon that is just behind me a bit to the right.
Another of my favourite recording is another DVD-A of Haendel’s Messiah and in the famous Alleluia the clarity of the diction of the chorus is astounding. You can clearly hear the singer forcing certain syllables to better project specific words. The separation between the orchestra’s sections and the choir is easier to perceive. There is also and evenness in the sound that means that strong chords sound as clean and stable as when the music is softer.
Another good showcase recording is the SACD of the guitar quartet LAGQ (latin) on Telarc. This is one of the rare recordings of another label that makes me think of the TACET quality. There are four guitars one for each of the main speakers (the center channel is only use for ambience). The second track Hasta Alicia Baila contains all kind of sound effect like the musicians clapping, or slapping their guitars as if it was a drum. Again a magical presence of each instrument and marvellous details.
The QUAD being dipole speakers, (they send as much energy to the back then the front) they need a lot of space at the back. Fortunately in my case my room is longer than large and behind my listening position there are 2 rooms directly behind. So in one door opening I can put one ESL-63 (of course I move it out of the way when not listening). A bit to the left there is an even bigger entrance (with no door) leading to another room. So this is perfect for the second ESL-63.
Unfortunately everything is not perfect. After 2 weeks of happiness I was listening at pretty high levels (too high!) to a DVD-Audio of Verdi’s Requiem and “bang” I blew up the multi-3 audio refinement amplifier. As any QUAD owner know these speakers have a protecting circuit to prevent an electric arc to form and break the thin membrane. This protection can result in a short-circuit on the amplifier. This is also why there is not much point in putting an amplifier stronger than 100-150w with these speakers despite a miserable efficiency of 86db (at 1 watt). I knew the audio refinement was not resistant to such a shock (a Bryston or QUAD own 909 have no such problems), But I was under the belief that generally surrounds are less solicited than mains, I was protected from such a problem. I was wrong and I have to survive in stereo for a while, and be more careful afterward.
