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Quad ESL 2905 Floorstanding Loudspeakers Selling my parents Quad speakers. Working fine and in excellent condition. Pick up only as they are very large. Price negotiable. Condition: Excellent Payment Method: EFT, Cash Time Left: 3 days and 3 hours Region/State: (VIC) Victoria/Australia By Sammy Winter 0 Comments Secure Ad AUD $2,000 Date: April 13Apr 13
Bargain alert at AUD 2,000. This Quad ESL 2905 is listed well under the typical used market range in Australia, where recent comparable listings show a median of AUD 4,249, 25th percentile at AUD 3,117, and 75th at AUD 5,380. Even accounting for unknown condition, that's a steal for these legendary electrostatic panels—grab it if it checks out, as pristine examples rarely dip this low without issues.
Before committing, verify the panels' mylar diaphragm integrity; these can degrade over time, leading to arcing or distortion—insist on a powered demo at length. Also confirm the matching stands and grilles are included, as ESLs demand rigid support to avoid bass loss, and missing bits can add hundreds in costs.
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.
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