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Product: quad esl 988 - speciale uitvoering technische staat: gereviseerd door quad optische staat: nette gebruikte staat levering: quad esl 988 set 2 stuks met netsnoeren en extra zwarte frontdoeken.
€2,350 is fair-to-good for a Quad ESL 988, not a steal, but comfortably within the going used range. Recent examples cluster from about €1,250 for a refreshed set to around €2,190–€2,350 for cleaner, later listings, while pristine or dealer-backed pairs can run higher; so this sits near the sensible upper-middle of the market rather than at bargain territory.
That still makes it a compelling buy if the panels are healthy and the speakers charge up properly, because the 988 is prized for its open midrange, effortless imaging, and sheer “see-through” realism on voices and small-scale acoustic music. The real upside is finding a pair that has been cared for, because electrostatics reward condition more than cosmetics; just confirm full output, no arcing or imbalance, and ideally recent servicing or long-term stable ownership.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
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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