My Sound System
Speakers
- QUAD ESL-2905s (main)
- QUAD ESL-988s(center, left surround)
- QUAD ESL-63s (right and back surround)
- Martin Logan Depth (Subwoofer)
With 6 QUADs esl I have reached my goal of an all electrostatic multi-channel system. I have the incredible detail precision and mid-range of the QUADs and more dynamics available (in multi-channel) when playing strong orchestral passages. The 2905 adds presence and amazing liquidity in the lower frequencies and they can blend perfectly with their smaller brothers when playing softer music.
It is difficult to describe the sound of electrostatic speakers to someone who never heard them. I would try to use words like fast, transparent and no coloration to the sound. Their drawbacks (beside price) is their hard limit in terms of loudness and their low sensitivity. But in multi-channel these issues are drastically reduced and they work wonderfully together to extract the best from great high-resolution multi-channel recordings.
Now that I replaced the TV with a front projector and screen, the classic problem of the center channel is solved. I do not need to move that speaker anymore. When the screen is lowered the speaker is behind the acoustically transparent material and the sound is perfectly position in relation to the picture. This is fantastic on Opéra and now with a QUAD ESL 988 as center my investment in the screen is justified.
The Martin Logan depth is behind the left QUAD-2905. With good bass management the match is easy to set-up and the QUADs 2905 can play a little louder. Purist will objects it is not a perfect solution but everything in life is a compromise. Also with the push of a button I can switch to direct mode with all speaker full range for chamber music.
At the back my other QUAD ESL-988s and my two QUAD ESL 63s (one used only on movies and 6.1 material). I am amazed that it is already 27 years ago that I bought my 63s. The best thing I ever purchased.
It is difficult to describe the sound of electrostatic speakers to someone who never heard them. I would try to use words like fast, transparent and no coloration to the sound. Their drawbacks (beside price) is their hard limit in terms of loudness and their low sensitivity. But in multi-channel these issues are drastically reduced and they work wonderfully together to extract the best from great high-resolution multi-channel recordings.
Now that I replaced the TV with a front projector and screen, the classic problem of the center channel is solved. I do not need to move that speaker anymore. When the screen is lowered the speaker is behind the acoustically transparent material and the sound is perfectly position in relation to the picture. This is fantastic on Opéra and now with a QUAD ESL 988 as center my investment in the screen is justified.
The Martin Logan depth is behind the left QUAD-2905. With good bass management the match is easy to set-up and the QUADs 2905 can play a little louder. Purist will objects it is not a perfect solution but everything in life is a compromise. Also with the push of a button I can switch to direct mode with all speaker full range for chamber music.
At the back my other QUAD ESL-988s and my two QUAD ESL 63s (one used only on movies and 6.1 material). I am amazed that it is already 27 years ago that I bought my 63s. The best thing I ever purchased.
Electronics
- Azur 650BD ( Blu-ray universal player)
- Classé SSP-800
- Peachtree MusicBox
- Bryston 4B SST2
- Bryston 3B SST
- Bryston 2B SST
The Cambridge audio azur 650BD is a universal Blu-ray Player with HDMI 1.3. In addition to Blu-Ray it plays SACDs, DVD-As and of course CDs.
The Classé is an high end HDMI 1.4 multi-channel processor. For video it only pass-through the video signal. This thing is all about sound quality, seamless integration of all channels, on a good multi-channel recording my listening space disappears an his replace by the venue of the recording.
My QUAD ESL-2905 are powered by the Bryson 4B SST2. Why a 300 watts amplifier for speakers that should need only 100? Because I was lucky to be able to compare the 4BSST2 and 3BSST2 and the former had more headroom on large demanding music (Berlioz Requiem).
The 3BSST is now close to the back linked with a 9m XLR interconnect and is connected to the other 988 and one 63. The 2BSST feeds the center channel (988) and the 6th speaker the second 63.
The Classé is an high end HDMI 1.4 multi-channel processor. For video it only pass-through the video signal. This thing is all about sound quality, seamless integration of all channels, on a good multi-channel recording my listening space disappears an his replace by the venue of the recording.
My QUAD ESL-2905 are powered by the Bryson 4B SST2. Why a 300 watts amplifier for speakers that should need only 100? Because I was lucky to be able to compare the 4BSST2 and 3BSST2 and the former had more headroom on large demanding music (Berlioz Requiem).
The 3BSST is now close to the back linked with a 9m XLR interconnect and is connected to the other 988 and one 63. The 2BSST feeds the center channel (988) and the 6th speaker the second 63.
Video
- Stewart Firehawk G3 Microperf X2
- Panasonic PT-AE3000
- Sony PS3 (Blu-ray)
- Logithech Harmony One (programmable remote)
What? Some video stuff in an audiphile multi-channel system? To this two answers: There are absolutely fantastic audio/video recordings on Blu-ray (concert video, Opéra, etc.). For example I just bought an excellent Blu-ray of the Berlin Philarmonic at Musikverien in Vienna (The golden hall). Excellent sound and I finally saw the best concert hall in the world in all its glory. The use of an acoustically transparent screen instead of a big TV also improves the overall sound of my listening room.
Planned Upgrade
In terms of speakers and amps I have to declare myself satisfied (except maybe for a second sub). With the classé excellent Digital to Analog conversion, and the Peachtree to play with audio files from a portable. All my cables are now excellent. But when I had an excellent demo of the classé, the projector was at least 2x better than what I have (the wheel of progress keeps turning).
Listening Room
My Listening room is a comfy 25ft * 13ft * 7.5ft in my basement, I would have liked an higher ceiling, but still it is my favorite part of the house. When listening to multi-channel music, the 6 main speakers are equi-distant from my listening position. With the exception of the depth subwoofer which is behind my left QUAD-2905 in a corner (as recommended by Martin Logan). Fortunately the room being longer than large I have plenty of space behind the Quads-2905. For the back speakers the main room open up on smaller rooms in the back, so I can use the doors at the back of the QUADs so there is no undue reflections.
Accessories
- Two dedicated électric circuit with furetech rodhium receptacle
- Two quadraspire audio tables
- PowerBis
- Two Siltech Classic Anniversary XP300 power chords
- Audioquest Sky (XLR to the 4BSST2)
- Audioquest Colorado (XLR) (to the 2BSST)
- Audioquest Columbia 9m (XLR) (to the 3BSST now in the back)
- Audioquest Volcano (From 4BSST2 to 2905)
- Audioquest Mont-Blanc 2x (From 3BSST to 988.63)
- Audioquest Mont-Blanc 1x (From 2BSST to 988 center)
- Audioquest SUB-1
- Monster Power HTS 5000 MKII
