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Te koop Quad ESL 57
Quad ESL 57 17 views

Te koop Quad ESL 57

USD$858 EUR$750
Location
Almere, NL
Seller
Oscar's Service Center
Source
Marktplaats
Posted
7 Jul 2026
Last seen
2d ago

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Seller's Description

Te koop een set quad esl 57 in optisch mooie staat en werking.

Our Thoughts RADAR AI

At €750, this Quad ESL 57 pair is ambitiously priced compared to the typical used market, sitting well above the median of €626 and the 75th percentile of €689 from recent EUR listings. You could find newer, more forgiving electrostatics or high-quality dynamic alternatives at this price point, whereas the ESL 57 demands patience and specific setup to shine.

The ESL 57 remains a revered classic for its unmatched transparency and midrange purity, offering a reference-quality sound that still competes with modern designs when properly driven. Its appeal lies in that rare, airy detail recovery and vocal immediacy that few speakers achieve. However, given the elevated price, verify the condition rigorously: check for sagging diaphragms, intact stators, and a working power supply, as these are common failure points that can turn a dream into a costly repair project.

Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.

About Quad

Quad, the venerable British hi-fi brand, traces its origins to 1936 in London, when engineer Peter J. Walker founded S.P. Fidelity Sound Systems, soon renamed the Acoustical Manufacturing Company. Relocating to Huntingdon in 1941 after wartime bombing, the firm shifted from public address gear to domestic audio amid post-war demand for superior sound reproduction. Walker's pioneering ethos—prioritizing "the closest approach to the original sound"—defined Quad from its early QA12 amplifiers, adopted by the BBC, to the iconic Quad I of 1953.

The brand excels in amplifiers and electrostatic loudspeakers, revolutionizing both categories. The Quad II power amplifier of 1953 introduced cathode coupling for vanishingly low distortion, while the 1956 ESL 57 delivered the world's first full-range electrostatic speaker, employing a massless film diaphragm for unparalleled transparency and transient speed. Quad advanced into solid-state with the 1967 303 and transistor designs featuring innovative "Triples" output stages, later expanding to integrated amps like the 99 series, moving-coil speakers, and modern electrostatic models such as the ESL 988 and 989.

Today, under the International Audio Group since 1997, Quad holds a prestigious position in the high-end market, revered by audiophiles for its unyielding pursuit of accuracy over trends. Its heritage components command vintage collector status, yet contemporary offerings maintain a niche boutique appeal among discerning buyers seeking refined, distortion-free reproduction that honors Walker's legacy.

See all Quad listings on RADAR.

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