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Quad ESL 63's worth repair?

I've got two freinds with some serious "crackling sounds" coming out of their Quad's diaphragms. The crackling becomes worse with humid weather. On the first friends set,one diaphragm was repaired a year and a half ago and is now starting to fail again,along with the other speakers diaphragm. My other friend is having problems with his set and has unplugged them to be repaired. They are both hesitant (can you blame them?) to have any further repairs done. Let me tell you these guys are BUMMED! It seems a shame that such a great speaker should sit unused! Has anyone had any luck with repairing the quad ESL 63's diaphragms ? Any recommendations as to the wherabouts of a quality repair shop?
davej857
wda
37 posts
 
I looked for ESL 63s for a number of years on the used market...my experience was that when one speaker had been repaired and the other not, or two speakers had been repaired at different times...the speakers sounded different from each other. I don't know if this is an issue with Quads today...I finally bought one of the last new pairs of US Monitors sold in the US. Check with QS&D...they are knowledgeable, experienced, and reliable.
Good Luck!
audiokinesis
2,731 posts
 
In addition to Randy at QS&D, you might talk to Ben Openshaw, aka The Electrostatic Doctor. He works on all kinds of electrostats (he even rebuilt some old Dayton-Wrights). His number is (208) 535-1302. At least visit his site at www.electrostaticdoc.com, and check out his "Home Remedies" page.
rdr4b
81 posts
 
I owned two different pairs of ESL63s between '85 -'95 and both of them ended up suffering the same problem as you described. I found a local guy in LA named Gary Garfield for service on the latter pair. After spending almost $450, there was little improvement -- that was, the 63s need to be driven slightly louder to rattle at low frequencies. And Mr. Garfield guy said that was the best he could do. Considering the value of these speakers, I'd say the repair was wasted.
davej857 OP
33 posts
 
Thanks for the feedback,appreciate the information. I'm going to give the leads you guys have given me to my buds and help them follow up on them as well. I'll let you know the outcome. Wish us luck, sounds like we'll need it... (and maybe a pile of money!)..........thanks!
detlof
1,899 posts
 
I've been using 63s for years, for the simple reason that " they do a lot of things right". After about 6-8 years of use, they'll go bad on you. Mostly its the panels, sometimes the electronics. Even if only one speakers conks out, you need to send in both, otherwise your setup will be thrown off balance, as was rightly suggested above. A complete haulover might set you back up to 1500 bucks a pair. But many love the speaker so much, that they don't mind the cost. Don't know about the new 988 and 989, but I'll tell you in 7 years time (-; Cheers,
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