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Quad ESL 63- how should it sound?

I am new to the world Quads and ESL so bear with me… I recently came into a pair of ESL 63’s. Based on the serial numbers they are approx. 1989 vintage.   I am not sure if they are working correctly. They both put out sound. There is no crackling or popping or any other strange noises at any time. Is sound supposed to come out of all 4 of the panel sections?   Is each panel section supposed to handle a specific frequency range? When I put my ear right up to the panels, I hear no sound on the top quarter, a lot of sound on the 2nd quarter down (or middle), some sound on the 3rd quarter down, and no sound on the 4th panel down. Overall the sound is fairly balanced but a little thin and you have to crank up the volume on the amp to get a “normal” sound level compared to my Klipsch KLF-20’s (which are I guess much more efficient).   This is running on a Denon AVR-3805 rated at 120wpc into 8 ohms. When I run them on my Sansui Eight (rated at 65 WPC) I don’t have to crank it up as much, but a little more compared to my Snell type E IV’s that I normally run on that receiver.   So my main question is, do you think some of my panels are “dead”? Should a different sound be coming out of each of the 4 panels or should the sound only be concentrated in the center of the 4 panels? Thank you!


tuskman79
rodman99999
6,158 posts
 
Any electrostatic will be considerably less efficient than anything Klipsch makes. Here’s an article that may help you understand the Quad 63’s design & goals: (http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/416/#5kwtFIj3KAYUQVpO.97) If some of the panels aren’t functioning, you may want to contact: (http://quad.hifihaven.com/model/ESL-63/article:Quad-ESL-63-repair-service) or (http://www.quadesl.com/quad_main.html)     You may find this of interest: (http://www.integracoustics.com/MUG/MUG/tweaks/quad/hey_you/63.html)
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Talk to Kent at Electrostatic Solutions; he would be among the very best at diagnosing and potentially repairing.
r_j_m
12 posts
 
But according to Doug you should just buy new. 

"I will be blunt. Old speakers sound better since... never. The only way you will make them sound better is through an improved system upstream."
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Comparing Quad ESL63 to Klipsch is like comparing very good low wattage Class-A hi-end audio amp to a mega watt P.A amp.
Two totally different approaches to making music, discerning "audiophiles" how are not interested in bring the house down will prefer the ESL63's, head banger's and the partially deaf will prefer the Klipsch.

Cheers George  
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