In article , Fleetie
wrote:
A) ESL-57s look OLD, DATED, UGLY, BROWN, and just YUCKY.

Its fair comment to say that the range of appearances of the 988's and
989's is rather more trendy. But I suspect the 57's looked pretty 'cool'
when they first appeared.

B) It seems "cool" to revere them. They're nearly 50 years old now. They
might (or might not; I've only heard them once IIRC, and that was years
ago at a Penta show, I think) sound ok in the mid or whatever, but I am
sure they're not as good as the uninitiated observer might be led to
think, given the amount of chin-stroking sage reverence that they still
seem to evoke.

I'd guess that over 95% of the speakers I've heard at audio shows sounded
poor. Maybe this has something to do with them being in a room an at audio
show...

Perhaps if you'd heard a pair in 'new' condition, heard them carefully
placed in a decent domestic acoustic, and spent some time listening to a
variety of music, you might have come to different conclusions. I certainly
would not rush to judge speakers on the basis of how they sounded at a
show.

C) I would personally never give them house space. I can see that they
might have value as antiques that in some cases still function, but
let's be honest, speaker technology has moved a LONG way in the 50 years
since they were designed.

Yes. Cone and box speakers have improved.

So have electrostatics. :-)

D) "Emperor's OLD clothes".

Yes. The 57 is a pretty old design, and you'd have to spend some money to
get some in quasi-new condition. Fortunately, you could also opt for a 988
or 989 if you wished... :-)

There! I've said it! Can I be burnt as a heretic now?

Oh and I bet my Dynaudios'd kick ESL-57s' sorry asses into the grave
where they definitely belong. And go a fair bit louder.

Probably. Loudness tends to be enhanced by colourations and distortions.
:-)

Next instalment: The LS3/5a.

Feel free. :-)

Slainte,

Jim

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