Quad
Electrostatic and Dynamic Speakers and Electronics

The Electrostatics

988 and 989 Electrostatic Speakers - 

      Are the 988 and 989 a re-birth of classic, or a poor replica with little more than a passing resemblance to the original? The ESL-63 has been (and still is) revered for its marvelous ability to uncover detail, without sounding forced or analytical. The speaker had a wonderful soundstage and a midrange that many audiophiles (this one included) feel has never been surpassed. With such a strong product to follow, I was, very frankly, afraid of what the new speakers would be like.
     There was no reason to worry, the new speakers are outstanding! Two models comprise the line, the 988 and 989. Physically, the 988s are very, very similar to the ESL-63, albeit a bit sleeker. Internally, the ESL-63 housed an array of four electrostatic panels, two for the bass, two for the midrange/treble. The 988, like the 63, also uses 4 panels. The 989s are 30% taller, thanks to an extra pair of electrostatic panels (for a total of six). The added radiating area means greater dynamics, volume capability and bass. Those will no doubt be welcomed words to all who wished for just a “smidge” more of those qualities from the ESL-63. The 989s were the first to arrive and are the focus of this article.
       If you’ve heard Quad’s in past, you’re most likely are a fan. The speaker has a very musical tonal balance and a unique ability to present subtle detail in a relaxed fashion. The Quad’s offer detail, in spades, but the detail never dominates. Some speakers scream detail, grab you by the throat and force you to listen. Though short term listening with that type of speaker may be exciting, the character often proves fatiguing over time. Quad’s have not one aggressive bone in their body. They will never hit you over the head and command your attention, but the music is there, flowing and relaxed. The Quad’s will draw you in, rather than seek you out.
       Tonal balance is on the warm side; the midrange is rich and liquid. But don’t take that to mean these speakers are colored, they are not. Listen to a voice recording you know well and see if the Quad’s don’t involve you with their sense of naturalness.
       The ability to focus instruments and players on a soundstage is not the forte of most planar speakers. Quads are different. Many years ago, Quad’s Peter Walker decided that a point source was the ideal way for a speaker to radiate sound. Since electrostatics radiate a planar wave front, Mr. Walker designed a series of delay lines into the speakers’ electronics, allowing the speaker to electrically approximate a point source radiation pattern from a planar diaphragm. Thus, the Quad’s focus a soundstage more like a good point source speaker than a typical planar.
       As I mentioned at the outset, an important (maybe critical) character in making these new designs a success, is that they have that familiar Quad “sound.” I am here to tell you, they do. Quad has not thrown out the baby with the bathwater in re-designing this speaker, but have instead built upon the strengths we all knew and loved in the ESL-63. If you liked the sound of the ’63, you’ll be right at home with the 989. The magic is back, boys!
       Memories of times gone by can be fond. Most audiophiles recall the sound a component or system we’ve owned in the past and seek to restore that magic. Quad ESL-63 loudspeakers are indeed the focus of those memories for many, and you can now happily relive those moments with the 989.

• Quad 988 - $5499.00pr

• Quad 989 - $8650.00pr

• Absolute Sound Editor's Choice Award winner

2805 and 2905 Electrostatic Speakers -

           The latest electrostats from Quad, the 2805 and 2905 improve upon their predecessors in a number areas.
           The 2805 uses four electrostatic panels, like the 988, and the 2905 has six panels, the same number found in the 989. While the new models mimic their brethren in many ways, cosmetics isn’t one of them.
            I think we’d all agree, the 988 and 989 aren’t the most attractive speakers on the planet. Not unsightly mind you, but clearly in need of some freshening to bring then into the new millennium. So the challenge for Quad was to improve the looks and the sound. But how does one go about improving upon a legend? Carefully, very carefully!
            Increasing structural rigidity was a prime focus. From it’s introduction, lack of structural integrity was seen as a significant weakness of the ESL-63. A myriad of solutions have appeared over the years, some moderately effective, but none ideal. Arcici introduced a stand which supported the speakers (ESL-63) vertically, along the sides, and that worked well, but had distinct limitations. Quad themselves addressed the issue with the introduction of the ESL-63 USA Monitor, which featured a more substantial frame. That helped, but still was not perfect. In the spirit of DIY, audiophiles conjured up their own (sometimes very odd) solutions. I recall a system where a guy used two-by-fours as braces between the speaker and the back wall! Ugly, yes, maybe even gruesome, but it did improve performance.
            Fast forward to 2006 and let Quad engineers deal with the issue. They did, and those solutions are realized in the new speakers. Steel frames that are stiffer still, a more substantial base and an innovative brace (which seems particularly effective). At the rear of the speaker Quad has installed a tensioned, triangulated strut which runs from the top of the speaker down to the base. The upgrades have significantly reduced the tendency of the speaker to rock back and forth. Further, the heftier pedestal base (which houses the electronics) adds mass underneath, lowering the center of gravity.
            What’s the sonic payoff? You'll hear significantly tighter bass, with better control, and a good deal more kick (the fellows at Quad tell me that in-room response measures flat to 30Hz!). There is also increased clarity of high frequency tidbits (string plucks, cymbal shimmer and the like), compared with the 988 and 989. These are impressive performance gains.

2805 Specifications:

2905 Specifications:
 

Absolute Sound Editor's Choice Award Winner

HiFi News Review

The Dynamics

     The Quad dynamic speakers live up to the standard set by the company's electrostatic speakers. The "L" Series speakers utilize very high quality components and advanced construction techniques resulting in speakers that offer outstanding performance at a very modest price. The speakers are beautifully finished in a sumptuous high gloss lacquer over hardwood. Choices include Rosewood, Piano Black and Bird's Eye Maple. 

11L2 Two-way Mini Monitor

     I don't know how they do it. These little speakers are flat out amazing for the price! Sonic performance, parts quality and build quality far exceed expectations for a speaker in this price range. 
     The cost is just $749.00pr, and you can choose from real hardwood veneers in a variety of finishes.  A lovely speaker!

• 5" Long-throw Kevlar weave woofer with cast basket and dual wound aluminum voice coil

• 1" textile dome Tweeter

• 86db Sensitivity, 6 Ohm impedance, 100 watt power handling

• 45 - 20kHz

• 12.2"h x 7.5"w x 9.6"d

• $749.00pr

• Awarded Product of the Year honors by Britain's What Hi-Fi Magazine.

• Absolute Sound Editor's Choice Award

12L2 Two-way Monitor

• 6.5" Long-throw Kevlar weave woofer with cast basket and dual wound aluminum voice coil

• 1" textile dome Tweeter

• 88db Sensitivity, 6 Ohm impedance, 125 watt power handling

• 45 - 20kHz

• 13"h x 8.1"w x 10"d

• $1099.00pr

21L2 Two-way Floor Standing

• 6.5" Long-throw Kevlar weave woofer with cast basket and dual wound aluminum voice coil

• 1" textile dome Tweeter

• 88db Sensitivity, 6 Ohm impedance, 125 watt power handling

• 40 - 20kHz

• 30.1"h x 8.1"w x 10.4"d

• $1399.00pr

• Review at Goodsound

22L2 Three-way Floor Standing

• Two 6.5" Long-throw Kevlar weave woofers with cast basket and dual wound aluminum voice coil

• 1" textile dome Tweeter

• 88db Sensitivity, 6 Ohm impedance, 125 watt power handling

• 30 - 20kHz

• 33.5"h x 8.1"w x 12.5"d

• $1799.00pr

• Hi-Fi News Review

The Electronics

99 Preamp - 

     An excellent preamplifier at any price, the Quad 99 is an out and out steal at just $900.00! The 99 offers a rare combination of superb sound along with a host of features that simply cannot be approached by other models at this price range. Very strongly recommended.

• Full remote control of all features

• Noiseless solid state signal switching

• digitally addressed analog volume control accurate to within 0.1dB

• Three line inputs and tape loop

• MC/MM phono input

• Adjustable input sensitivity

• Unique Quad tone controls with "tilt" feature

• $899.00

• Absolute Sound Editor's Choice Award winner

99 Amplifier - 

• 90 watts per channel into 8 Ohms, 120 watts into 4 Ohms

• 11 amps per channel of current capability 

• $799.00

909 Amplifier - 

      Recognized worldwide as a great sounding and unique amplifier, the 909 employs the patented Quad "current dumping" design. This unique circuit compensates for errors in the signal path and eliminates the need for internal adjustment potentiometers that reduce performance.

• Unique "Current Dumping" design

• 140 watts per channel into 8 Ohms, 220 into 4 Ohms

• Ultra low distortion design

• $1349.00

• Absolute Sound Editor's Choice Award winner

99 CD Player - 

• 24bit/192kHz up-sampling design

• Six digital inputs

• Variable and fixed outputs

• $1349.00

• Absolute Sound Editor's Choice Award winner

• Hi-Fi News Review

Stereotimes review on the 99 preamp and 909 amplifier