Welcome! Need support, you got it. Or share your ideas and experiences.
Return to Planar Speaker Asylum
74.129.131.198
Friday was the first time I heard any Quad speaker. It was the 2805 with probably $30,000 of Mac gear in front of it. I wanted to buy the 2805's on the spot! I have had dynamic driver speakers all my life and never found an electrostatic speaker with the body I get with my current speakers. The 2805's had the body, beautiful tone, speed, imaging and depth that I am looking for.Before I go nuts and spend $9,000 on the 2805's, how do they compare with earlier Quads including 988 or 63's? Sure can get these for a lot less than the 2805's. Unfortunately I live in a city where there are no high end dealers and I can't do a comparison.
Thanks in advance for any informed opinions here.
Follow Ups:
A European pal of mine recently purchased the Quad 988s and loves them. As I was looking to take the plunge with a possible purchase of a pair of 2805s, I asked my pal if he was aware of any substantive difference(s) between the 988s and the 2805s -- besides the price. With his kind permission, here's his response:I’m still enjoying them very much, they’re great! I’ve just heard from a Quad lover that he doesn’t like the new series (2805/2905) very much in comparison, they’re too “modern-sounding” as he puts it, i.e. there’s too much emphasis on the high and low ends of the frequency range. He prefers the 988, which, according to him, give a much better integrated sound stage and a better window on the concert hall. I love the coherent sound stage of the 988; they do have a bit of a sweet spot, but much less so than other electrostatics/panel speakers that I’ve heard. They should be placed at least 2-3 feet from the back wall, but that’s all; the other walls don’t matter, it’s just the back wall.
read that the 220uF input cap in the 2805 is an audiophile type, which of course gets the 2805 to the same level as a modded 63 (with better caps)
The 63/988 will have a tad bit less body and weight versus the 2805. The improved frame makes the overall presentation of the speaker more substantial and a little more focused than the earlier speakers. Nothing earth shattering, but a nice upgrade.Beyond the frame upgrade, all these speaker are essentially the same. The 2805 does a better job as a full-range performer in most rooms versus the 63/988. If one uses a subwoofer, the differences quickly disappear.
Well I can't speak for the 2805 since I have not heard it. That said, I have heard the 988 several times and to my ears, my PK rebuilt ESL 57's are more musical.
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: