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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.
At €2,365, this sits a bit above the recent used range I’d expect for a Quad ESL 988, which has shown clean European listings around €1,250–€2,190, with some older examples higher when serviced or exceptionally presented. That makes the asking price more on the firm side than a bargain, though not outlandish if the panels are healthy and the cosmetics are genuinely good.
The appeal is the usual Quad magic: an open, effortless midrange, superb imaging, and a presentation that can make vocals and small-scale acoustic music feel startlingly real. For a buyer, the real upside is a well-kept pair with documented refurbishment, secure packaging, and any original grilles, spikes, or paperwork. At this price, it’s worth confirming panel condition, recent service history, and that both speakers charge evenly; if those check out, it’s a respectable purchase rather than a risk.
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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eBay UK
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audio-markt.de
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audio-markt.de
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eBay UK
eBay UK
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