In article , Anthony Edwards
wrote:


I have never owned ESLs myself (although I have owned a variety of very
good Quad electronics), however I have heard them demonstrated a number
of times in some rather small hi-fi dealers' demonstration rooms.
Despite the conventional wisdom being that Quad electrostatics only
sound good in big rooms, those demonstrations have always been highly
impressive.

I'd agree with the above. The 'right' size of room will help, I'm sure.
However in my experience you can get lovely results in small rooms provided
you take care, and can place the speakers away from the back walls.

I was surprised by my wife's reactions to the ESLs. I feared at first that
she would find them too large. But she commented that they looked *better*
than narrower speakers as they simply looked 'tidy' as they did not become
columns out in front of a wall. In effect, they give a simpler appearance
as they cover what is behind them. I was happy not to argue with this
opinion... :-)

Indeed, she suggested we use the 63's (now replaced with 988's) as
replacements for a pair of LS3/5A's which she did not like very much either
in terms of sound or appearance on stands.

My wife has the 'classic' attitude of having no interest in hifi as such.
But she happily enjoys the noise it makes and agrees that the results are
well worth the effort - of leaving *me* to fiddle about with all the boxes
and leads... :-)

Her only complaint is that she has to use two remote controls - in the
correct order - and one mains switch, just to turn on the TV. :-)

Slainte,

Jim

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