Just bought a (1970) pair of ESL-57s

[wdapril]

I have just taken delivery of a pair of Quad ESL-57s dating from 1970.

Is there anything I ought to do / check before switching them on? I will be using them with Quad 33/303.

[Richard]

Hi and welcome!

Nice speakers and some of the last production I think. I suppose you either heard them before buying or have been assured they are in good working order? If so check they have the correct rated mains fuses fitted and off you go.

I had a pair about 25 years ago and they have fine qualities but volume isn't one of them so don't be tempted to wind them up too far at least before you get to know their capabilities as over-driving them is perhaps the most common fault.

[wdapril]

I didn't hear them before buying but I was assured that they were in good order - I know, I know, you may say that "there is one born every minute".

Someone I worked with almost 40 years ago was an opera buff; he had (and still has) a pair of ESL-57s and I had to admit that they sounded absolutely fantastic, particularly on female vocals. At the time, I was more interested in The Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Jefferson Airplane, etc and could not afford either the space or the money involved in owning ESL-57s.

I am older now and my musical taste has moved towards classical music. I have never forgotten the sound of the ESL-57s and feel that I can better appreciate them now - although my hearing is probably pretty shot due to my earlier musical interests.

As they say, youth is wasted on the young