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Angeboten wird „ESL 57“ von Quad als Gebrauchtgerät aus der Kategorie „Standlautsprecher“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 9589756597 endet am 24.07.2026 um 10:57 Uhr.
At €2,280, this is a clear ambitious ask versus the recent used benchmark: it sits well above the 75th percentile of €1,638 and more than double the median of €999, so you’d want either exceptional originality, recent specialist restoration, or strong provenance to justify it. Against the obvious alternative at this money—paying for a very good restored pair or moving up the ladder to a more current high-end speaker—the price looks rich for a normal good-condition example.
That said, this remains a legend for a reason: the electrostatic midrange and image focus are still a reference point, and the big upside is that a clean, well-kept pair can be deeply rewarding if you value coherence over slam. For a buyer, the key checks are condition, panel health, and whether any servicing has already been done; if those are truly documented and the cosmetics are unusually strong, the premium becomes easier to understand.
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.
