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Measurement of Quad ESL-63 and later?
- Thread starter Spurs27
- Start date
solderdude
Grand Contributor
I don't know if they will do well on Klippel tests due to the polar nature of these speakers.
DSJR
Major Contributor
Many 63's by now sadly, are falling apart due to age fatigue in the adhesives used and not sure if the later versions of this design are actually as good (hence I suspect the asking for proper tests on these). I can scan and post a HiFi Choice test from the early 80's though if that helps to get the basic 'flavour' of what the 63 was about. the mesh grilles on the domestic versions could be intrusive though but were needed for safety (raise them up and tilt them back a touch), the pro versions having a more open grille.
Could you David I would like to see those tests/measurements.
Best.
Keith
Best.
Keith
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The Stereophile measurements of these and later versions are the only ones I know about being available. I hope someone has done better measurements somewhere too. Would like to see them. One of my favorite speakers.
The ESL 63 data is supposedly in the book.
I live in New Hampshire and am willing to provide a properly working set of 63's for measurement.
I measure all my rebuilds to verify proper function and matching, but I have never done the sort of really in-depth measurements that people probably want to see from the speaker. I have done many measurements of panel function and properties over the decades I've been doing rebuilds to verify my rebuilds perform like the OEM panels. But in terms of understanding the speakers from a design and performance standpoint, that has been a lower priority for me.
Sheldon
I measure all my rebuilds to verify proper function and matching, but I have never done the sort of really in-depth measurements that people probably want to see from the speaker. I have done many measurements of panel function and properties over the decades I've been doing rebuilds to verify my rebuilds perform like the OEM panels. But in terms of understanding the speakers from a design and performance standpoint, that has been a lower priority for me.
Sheldon
I for one would be fascinated to see some contemporary Quad measurements .
Keith
Keith
DSJR
Major Contributor
Apologies, I'll scan the 'Choice review and post it.
from a subjective level, there were two versions as I understand. The pro version had an open 'grille' under the cloth covering but for protection, the domestic version had a louvred type grille which I remember made 63's set too low to be muffled.
First time I heard them at a Heathrow show, they were sat on the floor and the Quad preamp had it's tone and filter controls well in use. The Thorens TD160 deck used as source also had a low rent Shure in it (M75-6S from memory) and the sound was absolutely awful - after a wonderful show a year or two before where the '57's were set on tables so listeners could sit and relax with the great sounds on offer. It wasn't until rather later that I heard them properly, either tilted back a bit and/or placed on stands (Quadrapod to start with and later, the Arcici stands which added some rigidity to the frame, supporting them up the sides). Set like this with some space behind them ideally and apart from the tiniest slight sparkle up top which I could hear back then, the tone was excellent and obviously 'boxless.' I heard another set with the large Gradient subs, the 63's perched on top and these were good as well. They even did rock music if not played loudly and relaxing their crowbar protection which was brutal in earlier samples, they weren't 'enthusiast amp' killers either (they'd short the speaker terminals if pushed too hard and you can imagine what that did to 'enthusiast' amps with no protection...
I'll fire up my scanner and post the review..
from a subjective level, there were two versions as I understand. The pro version had an open 'grille' under the cloth covering but for protection, the domestic version had a louvred type grille which I remember made 63's set too low to be muffled.
First time I heard them at a Heathrow show, they were sat on the floor and the Quad preamp had it's tone and filter controls well in use. The Thorens TD160 deck used as source also had a low rent Shure in it (M75-6S from memory) and the sound was absolutely awful - after a wonderful show a year or two before where the '57's were set on tables so listeners could sit and relax with the great sounds on offer. It wasn't until rather later that I heard them properly, either tilted back a bit and/or placed on stands (Quadrapod to start with and later, the Arcici stands which added some rigidity to the frame, supporting them up the sides). Set like this with some space behind them ideally and apart from the tiniest slight sparkle up top which I could hear back then, the tone was excellent and obviously 'boxless.' I heard another set with the large Gradient subs, the 63's perched on top and these were good as well. They even did rock music if not played loudly and relaxing their crowbar protection which was brutal in earlier samples, they weren't 'enthusiast amp' killers either (they'd short the speaker terminals if pushed too hard and you can imagine what that did to 'enthusiast' amps with no protection...
I'll fire up my scanner and post the review..
DSJR
Major Contributor
Hope it's readable - I'd say the 63 performs rather well, especially for a product launched in the late 70's-early 80's. Apparently no real money was made on them as every sample needed QC done before shipping... Interesting too how directivity and dispersion was well known about but often played down back then.
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