I have just acquired a pair of Quad 989 ESL speakers and am delighted
with them. I have however reported to Quad that there is a slight
"fizzing" noise emanating from one of them. You have to put your ear
close to it to actually hear it. It started to occur during the
extremely hot weather we had recently here in the UK and Quad said they
were inundated with calls about other users experiencing the same
problem and that it might be due to the high humidity. However, it has
persisted up to now despite the cooler weather and yet I am reluctant to
have to haul my spanking new speaker into my car to bring it to Quad
over what appears to be a minor problem, or is it? How should I regard
this, is it serious or potentially serious and what action should I take
in the matter. The speakers are not easy to transport and I am reluctant
to stand them up, (in case they fall), or lay them down on account of
the "stress" it might put on the panel in relation to its base.
What to do please, I would be so grateful for help and information.
--
Derrick Fawsitt

On Sat, 2 Sep 2006 15:04:27 +0100, Derrick Fawsitt
wrote:

I have just acquired a pair of Quad 989 ESL speakers and am delighted
with them. I have however reported to Quad that there is a slight
"fizzing" noise emanating from one of them. You have to put your ear
close to it to actually hear it. It started to occur during the
extremely hot weather we had recently here in the UK and Quad said they
were inundated with calls about other users experiencing the same
problem and that it might be due to the high humidity. However, it has
persisted up to now despite the cooler weather and yet I am reluctant to
have to haul my spanking new speaker into my car to bring it to Quad
over what appears to be a minor problem, or is it? How should I regard
this, is it serious or potentially serious and what action should I take
in the matter. The speakers are not easy to transport and I am reluctant
to stand them up, (in case they fall), or lay them down on account of
the "stress" it might put on the panel in relation to its base.
What to do please, I would be so grateful for help and information.

The two usual causes are moisture and dust. You appear to have
eliminated the first, so maybe it is the second. Can you localize
where it is happening by listening, or is it just coming off the
diaphragm as if it were a signal? If the latter, it will be happening
in the power supply. Peering inside with the room in pitch darkness
can help find it - it will probably be a dim purple glow rather than a
spark, if it shows at all that is.

Otherwise, it is back in the car, I'm afraid.

d
--
Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com

In message , Don Pearce
writes
On Sat, 2 Sep 2006 15:04:27 +0100, Derrick Fawsitt
wrote:

I have just acquired a pair of Quad 989 ESL speakers and am delighted
with them. I have however reported to Quad that there is a slight
"fizzing" noise emanating from one of them. You have to put your ear
close to it to actually hear it. It started to occur during the
extremely hot weather we had recently here in the UK and Quad said they
were inundated with calls about other users experiencing the same
problem and that it might be due to the high humidity. However, it has
persisted up to now despite the cooler weather and yet I am reluctant to
have to haul my spanking new speaker into my car to bring it to Quad
over what appears to be a minor problem, or is it? How should I regard
this, is it serious or potentially serious and what action should I take
in the matter. The speakers are not easy to transport and I am reluctant
to stand them up, (in case they fall), or lay them down on account of
the "stress" it might put on the panel in relation to its base.
What to do please, I would be so grateful for help and information.

The two usual causes are moisture and dust. You appear to have
eliminated the first, so maybe it is the second. Can you localize
where it is happening by listening, or is it just coming off the
diaphragm as if it were a signal? If the latter, it will be happening
in the power supply.
I can source it by putting my ear to the panel about one third down from
the top. It is not too noticeable when playing music, its only when I go
to switch them off that I notice it. I hate the thought of loading it up
in the car but needs must.
Thanks so much Don.
--
Derrick Fawsitt

In article , Derrick Fawsitt
writes
In message , Don Pearce
writes
On Sat, 2 Sep 2006 15:04:27 +0100, Derrick Fawsitt
wrote:

I have just acquired a pair of Quad 989 ESL speakers and am delighted
with them. I have however reported to Quad that there is a slight
"fizzing" noise emanating from one of them. You have to put your ear
close to it to actually hear it. It started to occur during the
extremely hot weather we had recently here in the UK and Quad said they
were inundated with calls about other users experiencing the same
problem and that it might be due to the high humidity. However, it has
persisted up to now despite the cooler weather and yet I am reluctant to
have to haul my spanking new speaker into my car to bring it to Quad
over what appears to be a minor problem, or is it? How should I regard
this, is it serious or potentially serious and what action should I take
in the matter. The speakers are not easy to transport and I am reluctant
to stand them up, (in case they fall), or lay them down on account of
the "stress" it might put on the panel in relation to its base.
What to do please, I would be so grateful for help and information.

The two usual causes are moisture and dust. You appear to have
eliminated the first, so maybe it is the second. Can you localize
where it is happening by listening, or is it just coming off the
diaphragm as if it were a signal? If the latter, it will be happening
in the power supply.
I can source it by putting my ear to the panel about one third down from
the top. It is not too noticeable when playing music, its only when I go
to switch them off that I notice it. I hate the thought of loading it up
in the car but needs must.
Thanks so much Don.

Ah!, one of the few tribulations of the ESL owner

One of mine is doing this at the moment, and its due to both damp and
high humidity and though its not really been *that cold or humid
recently I've noticed some days the heating started to come on which is
normally set to 21 deg C in our gaff.

It will happen from time to time and its quite annoying when it does but
I've noticed that in the warm and dry parts of the summer and when the
heating's on in the winter it doesn't happen.

You might be starting to have a panel break down, but there again mine
have done this on and off for sometime but are otherwise excellent.
They do get used more in the winter then summer and possibly that time
of year it isn't that much of a problem owing the dry heat of the
central heating.

However if you go away fro a week or so and leave the heating on tick
over then do expect them to fizz a bit whilst they dry out!.....

Jim LeSurf is a ESL user be interesting to hear from him if he's had
any problems up the in the frozen North!..


*well for the UK.. warmer than perhaps the other side of Uranus at the
moment;!...
--
Tony Sayer

In message , tony sayer
writes
In article , Derrick Fawsitt
writes
In message , Don Pearce
writes
On Sat, 2 Sep 2006 15:04:27 +0100, Derrick Fawsitt
wrote:

I have just acquired a pair of Quad 989 ESL speakers and am delighted
with them. I have however reported to Quad that there is a slight
"fizzing" noise emanating from one of them. You have to put your ear
close to it to actually hear it. It started to occur during the
extremely hot weather we had recently here in the UK and Quad said they
were inundated with calls about other users experiencing the same
problem and that it might be due to the high humidity. However, it has
persisted up to now despite the cooler weather and yet I am reluctant to
have to haul my spanking new speaker into my car to bring it to Quad
over what appears to be a minor problem, or is it? How should I regard
this, is it serious or potentially serious and what action should I take
in the matter. The speakers are not easy to transport and I am reluctant
to stand them up, (in case they fall), or lay them down on account of
the "stress" it might put on the panel in relation to its base.
What to do please, I would be so grateful for help and information.

The two usual causes are moisture and dust. You appear to have
eliminated the first, so maybe it is the second. Can you localize
where it is happening by listening, or is it just coming off the
diaphragm as if it were a signal? If the latter, it will be happening
in the power supply.
I can source it by putting my ear to the panel about one third down from
the top. It is not too noticeable when playing music, its only when I go
to switch them off that I notice it. I hate the thought of loading it up
in the car but needs must.
Thanks so much Don.

Ah!, one of the few tribulations of the ESL owner

One of mine is doing this at the moment, and its due to both damp and
high humidity and though its not really been *that cold or humid
recently I've noticed some days the heating started to come on which is
normally set to 21 deg C in our gaff.

Good to get some consolation Tony, what particularly worried me about
your answer was that only one of mine is doing it, that is until I
re-read your post and saw that the same is happening to you. Can't
understand it as the room is a dedicated one and nearly always over
20deg C. Also there is little or no dust, at least I have not seen a lot
present.

They are still under warranty, the question is, do I get back to them
and have the trouble of loading the speaker in my car for a drive or do
I just expect to live with it. In other words, when is a fizz serious
and when is it not.
--
Derrick Fawsitt

In article , Derrick Fawsitt
writes
In message , tony sayer
writes
In article , Derrick Fawsitt
writes
In message , Don Pearce
writes
On Sat, 2 Sep 2006 15:04:27 +0100, Derrick Fawsitt
wrote:

I have just acquired a pair of Quad 989 ESL speakers and am delighted
with them. I have however reported to Quad that there is a slight
"fizzing" noise emanating from one of them. You have to put your ear
close to it to actually hear it. It started to occur during the
extremely hot weather we had recently here in the UK and Quad said they
were inundated with calls about other users experiencing the same
problem and that it might be due to the high humidity. However, it has
persisted up to now despite the cooler weather and yet I am reluctant to
have to haul my spanking new speaker into my car to bring it to Quad
over what appears to be a minor problem, or is it? How should I regard
this, is it serious or potentially serious and what action should I take
in the matter. The speakers are not easy to transport and I am reluctant
to stand them up, (in case they fall), or lay them down on account of
the "stress" it might put on the panel in relation to its base.
What to do please, I would be so grateful for help and information.

The two usual causes are moisture and dust. You appear to have
eliminated the first, so maybe it is the second. Can you localize
where it is happening by listening, or is it just coming off the
diaphragm as if it were a signal? If the latter, it will be happening
in the power supply.
I can source it by putting my ear to the panel about one third down from
the top. It is not too noticeable when playing music, its only when I go
to switch them off that I notice it. I hate the thought of loading it up
in the car but needs must.
Thanks so much Don.

Ah!, one of the few tribulations of the ESL owner

One of mine is doing this at the moment, and its due to both damp and
high humidity and though its not really been *that cold or humid
recently I've noticed some days the heating started to come on which is
normally set to 21 deg C in our gaff.

Good to get some consolation Tony, what particularly worried me about
your answer was that only one of mine is doing it, that is until I
re-read your post and saw that the same is happening to you. Can't
understand it as the room is a dedicated one and nearly always over
20deg C. Also there is little or no dust, at least I have not seen a lot
present.

Really don't know other then what I've said in that it does seem to be
humidity related. And yes only one tends to do it. What did Quad service
say about it?, i.e. grin and bear it, stop using them, or its got a
fault developing?.

They are still under warranty, the question is, do I get back to them
and have the trouble of loading the speaker in my car for a drive or do
I just expect to live with it. In other words, when is a fizz serious
and when is it not.

Quite.. I don't know:! I just use mine and if they go wrong then up the
road to Quad service but that has only been twice since 1981 IIRC the
pair I've got were owned by the founders of Audiolab

However I'm not bothered, a small price to pay for having such a
transparent sound source that as I'm sure you've realised
--
Tony Sayer

tony sayer wrote:
In article , Derrick Fawsitt
writes
In message , tony sayer
writes
In article , Derrick Fawsitt
writes
In message , Don Pearce
writes
On Sat, 2 Sep 2006 15:04:27 +0100, Derrick Fawsitt
wrote:

I have just acquired a pair of Quad 989 ESL speakers and am delighted
with them. I have however reported to Quad that there is a slight
"fizzing" noise emanating from one of them. You have to put your ear
close to it to actually hear it. It started to occur during the
extremely hot weather we had recently here in the UK and Quad said they
were inundated with calls about other users experiencing the same
problem and that it might be due to the high humidity. However, it has
persisted up to now despite the cooler weather and yet I am reluctant to
have to haul my spanking new speaker into my car to bring it to Quad
over what appears to be a minor problem, or is it? How should I regard
this, is it serious or potentially serious and what action should I take
in the matter. The speakers are not easy to transport and I am reluctant
to stand them up, (in case they fall), or lay them down on account of
the "stress" it might put on the panel in relation to its base.
What to do please, I would be so grateful for help and information.

The two usual causes are moisture and dust. You appear to have
eliminated the first, so maybe it is the second. Can you localize
where it is happening by listening, or is it just coming off the
diaphragm as if it were a signal? If the latter, it will be happening
in the power supply.
I can source it by putting my ear to the panel about one third down from
the top. It is not too noticeable when playing music, its only when I go
to switch them off that I notice it. I hate the thought of loading it up
in the car but needs must.
Thanks so much Don.

Ah!, one of the few tribulations of the ESL owner

One of mine is doing this at the moment, and its due to both damp and
high humidity and though its not really been *that cold or humid
recently I've noticed some days the heating started to come on which is
normally set to 21 deg C in our gaff.

Good to get some consolation Tony, what particularly worried me about
your answer was that only one of mine is doing it, that is until I
re-read your post and saw that the same is happening to you. Can't
understand it as the room is a dedicated one and nearly always over
20deg C. Also there is little or no dust, at least I have not seen a lot
present.

Really don't know other then what I've said in that it does seem to be
humidity related. And yes only one tends to do it. What did Quad service
say about it?, i.e. grin and bear it, stop using them, or its got a
fault developing?.

They are still under warranty, the question is, do I get back to them
and have the trouble of loading the speaker in my car for a drive or do
I just expect to live with it. In other words, when is a fizz serious
and when is it not.

Quite.. I don't know:! I just use mine and if they go wrong then up the
road to Quad service but that has only been twice since 1981 IIRC the
pair I've got were owned by the founders of Audiolab

However I'm not bothered, a small price to pay for having such a
transparent sound source that as I'm sure you've realised
--
Tony Sayer

I have owned stats and not encountered this.I live in a drier climate
though.I wonder if this is a cumulative problem and one which could be
cured by hiring a dehumidifier for a weekend?.I remember hiring one of
these to dry out a cellar in London and it was very effective.

JT

I have owned stats and not encountered this.I live in a drier climate
though.I wonder if this is a cumulative problem and one which could be
cured by hiring a dehumidifier for a weekend?.I remember hiring one of
these to dry out a cellar in London and it was very effective.

JT


I reckon you've hit the nail right on the head there. My poor old joints are
creaking to bu**ery at the moment with the damp in the UK!.

Never could work out quite that happens in that damp or wet weather makes the
joints creak and considering that we're made of a lorra water.

And neither does my GP except that a lot of people complain about it!....
--
Tony Sayer

In article , tony sayer

wrote:


However if you go away fro a week or so and leave the heating on tick
over then do expect them to fizz a bit whilst they dry out!.....

Jim LeSurf is a ESL user be interesting to hear from him if he's had
any problems up the in the frozen North!..

Not that I have noticed. The 988's haven't done this recently that I have
noticed. However one of my 63's has made faint' tick' noises on and off for
a few years. I discussed this with quad and the general conclusion was that
there was no need to worry about it. Such low level effects tend to come
and go. Provided they are so faint that to hear them you have to put your
ear near the speaker when their is no music then they should not be a
concern.

If the 'fizz' is loud and persistent, then check with quad. It may be a
sign of a serious problem, but it may well be something that is harmless
and might fade in due course.

Sometimes I have found that playing music for a while clears the problem,
but leaving the speakers unused for days may allow it to return. The
moral is to listen to music whenever possible. :-

BTW I assumed it was me you were referring to, but only because the name
you used was so close to mine. :-)

Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html