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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   Soundlabs are sublime, well to me. everytime i hear them i ...   Macdadtexas 07-06-05   I've heard (not with my ears) and have read that the esl-988 ...   Highdudgeon 07-06-05: Newbee FWIW, from my experience in auditioning Maggies, and owning Quads (63's) the differences I heard are significant and which you prefer will depend on your expectations. The Quads are much more of a point source speaker where as the Maggies are more like typical line stages in providing an image inhanced in height and width which can be great on orchestral stuff but which can be distracting on recordings of voice and solo instruments. Also, before you plunge forward with planers or electrostats, research thoroughly the set up issues. They are more demanding of placement and room treatment than the typical dynamic speaker. If you're not going to do this set up properly you lose the benefit of the transparency that they can bring to your music. I prefer the sound of point source speakers and I've always liked the Quads driven by a good medium powered tube amp. I've never heard them with a Mac, but other than a Levinson ML2, I've never heard them with SS that I've really enjoyed. The problem with the Quads in comparison to a good dynamic (box) speaker is you do lose the ability to play loud and you lose some of the dynamics (think compression) of live music. I've lived thru panels and electrostats and I'm back to good dynamic's all because I went off half cocked. Hope your experience is different. :-) Newbee  (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread) 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

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