My father has just moved on to Quad 2905s, from ESL63s with the Gradient SW63 subs which were designed specifically to partner the ESL63s. Someone he knows snapped up the ESLs, so the Gradients are looking for a home. He's had them from new and they have been used primarily on vocal/operatic music, so they most certainly have not been hammered. The cross-over was professionally modified to eliminate its impact on the sound from the ESLs. He's been in touch with the engineer who carried out he mod and he (the engineer) is prepared to explain to the purchaser what was done in case he wants it removed. I also run ESL63/SW63s and can attest to the benefit of this type of modification; it allows the potential in this combination to shine through. Personally I am not convinced the 2905s are better sounding. I'll admit they are better looking, although the ESL/SW has a certain monolithic quality: you'd need a fairly big room for them not to be noticed! Someone will no doubt ask for pictures and I'll try to work out how to do that, but they look like SW63s! (there's a stock picture of the combination here: http://user.tninet.se/~vhw129w/mt_audio_design/index.htm) So if you have ESL63s and want to see how they can sound with SW63s, here's a chance. Martin Colloms review in HiFi News said "With the SW63 the electrostatic blossoms into a true high end speaker of such integrity and ability, that no sensible criticisms are worth voicing." Well he was wrong, because they can be improved with the cross-over mod, but thefeafter IMHO there's no need to think about upgrading. I'm not really sure about price, but have seen a few sold through EBay for around the £700 mark. If anyone might be intertested let me know and I'll put you in touch. Would prefer to shift them through a specialist group such as this rather than Ebay since I have not sold anything on there yet and it looks a pain. ---------------------------------------- I imagine that ESL63 owners know about these, but in case you are not familiar with them 1) They only match ESL63s ie they are not physically compatible with 57s, 988s, or 989s. 2) They are a dipole, like the ESLs, and need space behind them. However that means they inetgrate better than RELs etc 3) By relieving the electrostatic panels of the bass load (below 110 hz) they allow the Quads to be played lower without any nervousness about overload. MC again "It was something of a revelation to be able to play the Quads loud without fear of rattles or overload." You don't get quite the extension of a big REL (the final bass roll-off is third order at 28Hz), but the bass integrates with the ESLs so it feels like one speaker.
Pictures I have been asked for pictures and have now takken some, but so far can't work out how to get them on here confused. If anyone want them while I'm trying to figure it out, PM me with an email address. Forgot to mention, FWIW original packaging.
