AudiogoN Forums: Quad ESL 989 and Maggie 3.6s

Quad ESL 989 and Maggie 3.6s

I'm thinking of moving from the world of monitors and floorstanders to planers/electrostats -- this is partly due to my new amps, a set of McIntosh MC-501s, which finally give me more than ample power to get into this world.

So, I'm wondering if anyone has listened closely to both of these speakers, or has strong opinions toward one or the other? I've heard both described as near-ultimates of the type and certainly as "giant killers." Unfortunately, I have not heard the Quads (and it's been a long time since I have heard Quads).

One possible consideration against the Quads is that we do have small children in the house and they could be dangerous.

Ideas?

Highdudgeon (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

07-02-05

Responses (1-40 of 40)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

07-02-05 I own the maggie 3.6r's and love them. i did have the mc501 ... Macdadtexas

07-03-05 I have and love quad 989s. i too drive them with asl amps, ... Jeffreybehr

07-03-05 I do not know much about the quads but what i think i remem ... Czbbcl

07-03-05 Take a serious look at eminent technology - at less than hal ... Sedona

07-03-05 Check the build quality of maggies. i am sure that quad, no ... Pbb

07-04-05 You know, i've considered soundlabs -- i've only heard wonde ... Highdudgeon

07-04-05: Macdadtexas
Soundlabs are sublime, well to me. Everytime I hear them I leave amazed. That said, the 989 Quad is almost the equal of the Soundlab Ultimates to me, but they are different speakers, and have different strengths. The bass from the SL's is amazing.

All that said, I have never had any problem with the build quality of the Maggies. They can be upgraded with with a better speaker stands (Mye stands are the best I have seen), and those adept at it can upgrade the crossover network. But for $4500, I don't think anything touches them. After having seen some posts on the Eminent Tech speakers I did a test drive and was impressed. At their price point, but they are not Maggies, certainly not in the same league with the 3.6R as far as dynamics, range or coherency. IMHO.
Macdadtexas (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

07-06-05 I've heard (not with my ears) and have read that the esl-988 ... Highdudgeon

07-06-05 Fwiw, from my experience in auditioning maggies, and owning ... Newbee

07-07-05 Really? you feel the electrostats are somewhat compressed a ... Highdudgeon

07-07-05 Highdungeon - put a pair of quads or maggies next to a big ... Goatwuss

07-07-05 Auditioned both and bought 88. more focused and better mid-r ... Wc65mustang

07-07-05 Hi wc65mustang, i'll be auditioning quad 988/989 hopefully ... Kw6

07-07-05 Kw6 with the exception of the 88's slightly more liquid mid- ... Wc65mustang

07-07-05 "bottom end difference between the 88 and 89 is insigni ... Jeffreybehr

07-07-05 The bottom line is the 988 is an overall better sounding spe ... Wc65mustang

07-07-05 Thanks both to wc65mustang and jeffrey! i'll keep your poin ... Kw6

07-07-05 "the bottom line is the 988 is an overall better soundi ... Jeffreybehr

07-08-05 Wc65 is just stating his opinion even if it sounds like a fa ... Onemug

07-08-05 Onemug name calling? insults? coming from you, i'm crushed. ... Wc65mustang

07-08-05 Jeffreybehr i've read your posts and reviewed your system (a ... Wc65mustang

07-08-05 Wc65 glad to see your :-) instead of a :-( at the end of yo ... Onemug

07-08-05 Ok onemug. i just find that name calling, opinion or not, re ... Wc65mustang

07-08-05 Jeffreybehr - i looked at your system as well... you've g ... Goatwuss

07-08-05 I second the eminent technology suggestion; they seem to be ... Douglas_schroeder

07-08-05 Wc65 i see all the smiles but i want to make sure you know m ... Onemug

07-08-05 Onemug: those were honest and heartfelt "smiles". ... Wc65mustang

07-08-05 Fwiw, i always find it interesting when people complain abou ... Newbee

07-08-05 Hi newbee. for the record i don't want my comments regarding ... Wc65mustang

07-08-05 you've got some nice stuff, antique sound labs, denon, audi ... Audiofeil

07-08-05 "i can't imagine how there could be a soundstage withou ... Jeffreybehr

07-08-05 I had magnepan and moved into second system and replace with ... Punkawalla

07-09-05 Quads and maggies are both great speakers with different str ... Wc65mustang

07-09-05 Hi wc65mustang, what speaker system do you use presently? ... Kw6

07-09-05 Kw6 i own silverline grande la folia. preceding the quad 988 ... Wc65mustang

07-09-05 Hi wc65mustang, thank you for thoughts! Kw6

07-10-05 Well, i have simplified thing: i now i have set of quad esl- ... Highdudgeon

07-11-05 Highdudgeon congrats. do yourself a favor and scrap the fact ... Wc65mustang

07-11-05 Well, on the sub question i've been lookning at tbi, rel, an ... Highdudgeon

07-11-05 Yes two subs are necessary. as i mentioned in an earlier pos ... Wc65mustang