Quad ESL or Soundlab?

I recall hearing Quads (57's) at a NYC show. The person showing the speakers was "Gizmo" Harvey (so sorry but I can't recall his real name) and they were quit impressive. Delicate, clean, open and real. The was not much bass and they played at a low level.
I also heard (on or about that same year and possibly at that same show ) SoundLabs A-1. I hated them....BECAUSE.....they blew me away and I could not have them due to their size. I remember listening to them and saying to myself..."boy sound like I'm in the concert hall....what can I find that I dislike about these speakers"? I could not!!
To me...Soundlabs...if they were smaller could be in my home right now.

Rick (RWD)

Hi Spyddie,

Just a different perspective on the Quad 2805's. I've owned mine for about 18 months and absolutely love them. I am using a Mac 275 amp and the new Mac c2300 preamp. After many different speakers over the years, the Quads are long term keepers.

These Quads are extremely transparent and surprisingly dynamic. They can play more than loud enough for me without strain and have low enough bass with impact to make rock exciting. No they don't rattle the floor but I can hear all the bass notes and kick drum in the music I listen to. And of course they have a sense of midrange transparency and realism that at times is just surprising. There is no listening fatigue, even after hours of listening. I just end up feeling refreshed and relaxed.

I've had mine in three different rooms from small to large to medium and they do fine, yet different, in each. Spending the time with careful set-up will result in a big pay off.

Regarding a narrow sweet spot, I have not noticed that with mine, but I only have one listening chair and typically listen alone. However, adjusting the amount of toe-in will have an impact on the sweet spot.

Each to his own, I guess. Good luck!

Dave

the quad 2805 is essentially, a reworked quad 63. the 2805 plays louder, is better braced, is a bit more dynamic, and goes a bit deeper.

if you had a chance to compare the 2805 to a rebuilt quad 57, you would notice a purer mid band and treble, compared to the 2805. until you do this, it is an opinion of mine.

however, i am looking for another speaker and i will purchase stacked 57s before i would purchase a pair of 2805s.

Quite a while ago I had listened to Quad 63s a fair amount, which is what started my interest in ESLs. My only objections were that the image was low as if you were listening from a balcony and the lack of satisfying bass.

More recently, I had owned a pair of Soundlabs, which are by a good margin the best speakers I have had the privledge to either hear or own. Space limitations have forced their sale or I would still own them. They have spoiled me for sure. I still have my older Merlin VSMs but they will soon be up for sale because Soundlabs made me rethink what is possible and what sonic characteristics are important to me.

Dipole bass will be a must in my next speaker, however, large panels are out due to space. I may be looking toward the new Emerald Physics dynamic dipoles.

It is hard for me to imagine someone not being entirely (very very) happy with a pair of Soundlab speakers.

Cheers,

Gary

I am a soundlab owner having a pair of m2's with impedance mods and the tordial transformers.Presently driving them with a manley 440/200 monoblocks I just bought here on audiogon.
The sound is excellant; imaging,soundstage and timbre seems proper to me expecially with strings.The only negative I have and was warned before I bought them is they don't play loud like a dynamic speakers does.My experience with these in the last 2 years has been very postive as these are the best speakers I have ever owned; my earlier pairs were dunlavy sc3's,alon 4's,merlin 4b+'s, and ohm f's.
If you search audiogon for soundlab's you will find a very loyal following and if you get a chance to audition a pair you should.