the joys of owning Quads...

TroyD
TroyD Posts: 13,077
edited April 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
Came home week before last...walk into the house and I hear a 'pop-pop-pop' sound....so with a furrowed brow, I head to the stereo room and sure as ****, the left speaker is screaming "I've got a bad panel". Great. Just GREAT......so, I call Alex at the Analog Store, to let him know I'm bringing him a sick Quad. Ok, one bad panel....400 installed, sucks, but I can suck that up.

Well, Alex called back and it's worse than I thought....THREE of four panels need to be replaced. Eff my life.

No real moral here....just have to vent and prepare for the impending fire sale to fund this repair....

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

BDT
I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • Fireman32
    Fireman32 Posts: 4,845
    edited April 2010
    Sorry to hear that Troy. Any idea what caused them to go bad?
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  • virtualdean
    virtualdean Posts: 286
    edited April 2010
    TroyD wrote: »
    Came home week before last...walk into the house and I hear a 'pop-pop-pop' sound....so with a furrowed brow, I head to the stereo room and sure as ****, the left speaker is screaming "I've got a bad panel". Great. Just GREAT......so, I call Alex at the Analog Store, to let him know I'm bringing him a sick Quad. Ok, one bad panel....400 installed, sucks, but I can suck that up.

    Well, Alex called back and it's worse than I thought....THREE of four panels need to be replaced. Eff my life.

    No real moral here....just have to vent and prepare for the impending fire sale to fund this repair....

    GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

    BDT

    Maybe its God's way of saying it is time to try something different.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited April 2010
    Just out of curiousity, which Quads; vintage or modern?

    A streak of masochism comes in handy when one owns any of the great audio products....
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited April 2010
    Eh, it's just one of the risks of owning a ESL.....

    They are the 988's...so, newer versions.

    Could be, as far as trying something new....

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited April 2010
    Here I thought this thread was going to be about 4-wheelers.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited April 2010
    TroyD wrote: »
    Eh, it's just one of the risks of owning a ESL.....

    They are the 988's...so, newer versions.

    Could be, as far as trying something new....

    BDT

    I have a pair of ESL-57s (early 1980s vintage) in the living room; I treat them gently.
    bobman1235 wrote: »
    Here I thought this thread was going to be about 4-wheelers.

    Worse yet, it could have been about four-channel sound.
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited April 2010
    Too many speakers, too little time. Move on... :)
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited April 2010
    Thing is...where would I go from here? I mean, the market sucks so I'd lose my **** selling them. Really can't think of anything else that I want that I haven't already owned....

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited April 2010
    Stick to electrostat sound and have your panels replaced then sell them once you beat the **** outa tthem panels

    I thought only martin logan panels needed replacing ? I have the source and they only last about 8 years . Is your quads made from mylar plastic like logans?
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited April 2010
    Troy - that sucks! As a Magnepan fan I understand the allure of ESL's and have always thought Quad ESL's were cool and liked the sound better than the ML's. Unfortunately everyone I know that has Quad ESL's has had the same kind of high maint experience. Are they that fragile? Granted, most of the people I know that have Quad ESL's have models at least a couple of generations back.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited April 2010
    madmax wrote: »
    Too many speakers, too little time. Move on... :)

    Bad advice :-) Quad ESLs are lifetime loudspeakers.
    Funny they'd just start arcing of their own volition... What kind of amplification is being used with 'em?
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited April 2010
    I'm using a pair of Heathkit W5M's.....they just sometimes fail...it is what it is....

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • ViperZ
    ViperZ Posts: 2,046
    edited April 2010
    Try, just out of curiosity, why was your system on when you weren't home?
    Panasonic PT-AE4000U projector for movies
    Carada 106" Precision Series (Classic Cinema White)
    Denon AVR-X3600H pre/pro
    Outlaw 770 7-channel amplifier
    B&W CDM1-SE fronts
    B&W CDM-CNT center
    B&W CDM1 rears on MoPADs
    JBL SP8CII in-ceiling height speakers
    Samsung DTB-H260F OTA HDTV tuner
    DUAL NHT SubTwo subwoofers
    Oppo BDP-93 Blu-Ray player
    Belkin PF60 Power Center
    Harmony 1100 RF remote with RF extender
    Sony XBR-X950G 55" 4K HDR Smart TV + PS3 in the living room
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited April 2010
    TroyD wrote: »
    I'm using a pair of Heathkit W5M's.....they just sometimes fail...it is what it is....

    BDT
    As I understand it, modern Quads are better protected against arcing if over-driven than the originals...

    It's just that masochism thing - living with some of this stuff is like living with a trophy wife. Mind you, this is speculative on my part. Mrs. H is more of prize than a trophy, but she's also pretty low maintenance - and she lets me waste time and loose change on hifi junk.

    You wanna talk masochism? You could use Lowthers (in bass reflex cabinets)...
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited April 2010
    Yes, the protection circuitry is supposedly very good...I dunno, I've never tripped it.....most of the time, the panels delaminate...just an age thing.

    The system wasn't 'on'.....the speakers were....they require a constant charge so you are supposed to leave them 'on'.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited April 2010
    Sorry to hear Troy,really sucks. Have to agree with some others though, the high cost of keeping them up may wear on ya,maybe time to move on. On to what ? Heck,only you can decide that,but maybe just to throw it out there, Emerald Physics,Legacy,Montana,Aventgarde, Timepiece's, ****,the list can go on and on. Lots to be had these days. Try something new,who knows,you may pick a winner and light a fire under your old ****.:p:D
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Bernal
    Bernal Posts: 991
    edited April 2010
    Sorry indeed.
    I had Quad and now I am happy with the LSi series in my room.
    Listening to them sing and you will not regret.


    01) DENON AVR-4308CI: Advanced 7.1 CH/5.1+2 CH/ 3.1+2+2 CH A/V Home Theater /MultiMedia Multi-Source/Zone Receiver with Networking and WiFi/170 watts x 7 channels
    02) SUNFIRE Grand Signature - Bob Carver's
    03) OPPO DV-980H 1080p Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1CH Audio
    04) OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio / DENON DVD-2500BTCI: Blu-ray Disc™ DVD/CD Digital Player/Transport
    05) HITACHI P55T501. 55" HD1080 Plasma HDTV
    06) POLKAUDIO LSiC (Center speaker)
    07) POLKAUDIO LSi15 LEFT (Front speaker)
    08) POLKAUDIO LSi15 RIGHT (Front speaker)
    09) POLKAUDIO LSif/x LEFT (Surround speaker)
    10) POLKAUDIO LSif/x RIGHT (Surround speaker)
    11) VELODYNE OPTIMUN SERIES 12"(High Output Digital EQ SubWoofer 2400W/1200WRMS)
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=98096
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited April 2010
    Sorry to hear, the nice thing is, it 3 less panel to fail, like changing tires. One way or the other they will need to be replace or fixed.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited April 2010
    There was a nasty storm front that moved thru about that time. Don't suppose they got a surge?
    >
    >
    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited April 2010
    Bummer,,but where/what else can you spend 400 and get that kinda' sound.Out of curiosity,, how long have you had them?
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited April 2010
    Troy's a Quad guy, get 'em fixed brotha.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited April 2010
    TroyD wrote: »
    Thing is...where would I go from here? I mean, the market sucks so I'd lose my **** selling them. Really can't think of anything else that I want that I haven't already owned....

    BDT

    Really not sure what else to try. Efficient speakers are pretty cool, but expensive. Take a second mortgage and pick up something erotic, oops, meant exotic. :D
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited April 2010
    When's the fire sale begin? I bet you got some good stuff to part with. :)

    I hope you get those babies fixed or your wife says you can by the ESL 2905.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited April 2010
    Oh, they are already in the shop....yeah, definately getting fixed fo sho.

    Russ has hit the nail on the head. I'm a Quad guy and this is the price of doing business. Honestly? I've never heard a speaker that I thought sounded better. So, the short answer is unlikely that they will be going anywhere soon.

    I'd LOVE to get a pair of 2805's or 2905's but it just ain't in the cards.

    Eh, the fire sale....got some mixed emotions there....we'll see.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited April 2010
    TroyD wrote: »
    Russ has hit the nail on the head. I'm a Quad guy and this is the price of doing business. Honestly? I've never heard a speaker that I thought sounded better. So, the short answer is unlikely that they will be going anywhere soon...

    and you likely never will. Stuff that sounds different, but not likely better, 'specially in the midrange.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited April 2010
    Ed Zachary......I've owned pretty much all the speakers that I've wanted for the most part. I don't want to get back on the merry go round.

    I'm just a little frustrated....been chasing a LOT of gremlins the past 6-8 months it seems....just aggravating is all.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,566
    edited April 2010
    Life is suck.

    Say it, HARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited April 2010
    Troy is no longer trying to get his, he has his.

    Enjoy the little interlude as best you can till your babey comes home, all spiffed up and ready to please.

    RT1
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2010
    Sorry about your problems. In fact I had to google these in order to understand just what was going on and what was wrong. And my what an incredibly 'fragile' and thin membraned speaker this is....how does it put out any significant SPLs? Is it just due to sheer 'surface area' since the membrane is far thinner than a human hair?

    In any case. It'll looks like the repair is on the way. But, I'm sure it won't be cheap and that does Suxk.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited April 2010
    f1nut wrote: »
    life is suck.

    Say it, harrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

    waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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