Many decades ago I was at a friend's hifi audio shop where he was showcasing different rigs. Off towards the far end of the shop I could hear a jazz quartet playing, slow and smooth, midrangy and relaxed, so I walked over to that particular setup. As I walked towards the ESL57 speakers I momentarily passed from a two-dimensional listening experience and into 3D. Like night and day, the focal point of the speakers gave realistic depth to the recording; when I closed my eyes my brain told me I was at that concert, but a step forward or backward and the imagery was gone. Those speakers gave new meaning to "live music".
They ARE legendary. The 57s have a very tight image point like most flat panel speakers. I prefer the 63s simply due to a maintenance point of view. They also go louder. Plus the concentric circles gives a better point source with a wider image.
Thanks for these great old photos. I still have a pair of esl57’s I bought in the early 1970’s. They still work fine. Ultimately I will probably need to look at repairs or rebuild and there are very few people I would entrust them to. I live in Melbourne, Australia. Any thoughts or comments? Regards, Norm
Howdy. Glad you liked them. I know very little about the 57s, I've never seen inside one. I just buy and repair 63s. 57s require a very different set of skills. In Melbourne the man to see is John Hall. I believe he is still working on them. Email me at youtube@mogford.com and I'll give his phone no. as I last knew it. I'm in Melbourne too.
@@850mk3 Thanks for your reply. Probably take me 1-2 days to email you - thank you for the contact. I don’t need help yet, but it could happen at any time and I will ‘phone him and introduce myself. A few years ago, saw an esl-57 in the museum at Edinburgh, Scotland - made me feel old! Regards Norm
Sorry, not really. I'd try for the Quad 303 or 405. Main thing is that you need an amp that can take low impedance loads, the quads were designed for it. I've destroyed a class D amp on my 2912s because it couldn't handle the low Z.
Don't put ESL 57s on a wall or even with a wall directly behind them. They like space behind them to sound good. The stacked setup in slide 3 is impressive.
Many decades ago I was at a friend's hifi audio shop where he was showcasing different rigs. Off towards the far end of the shop I could hear a jazz quartet playing, slow and smooth, midrangy and relaxed, so I walked over to that particular setup. As I walked towards the ESL57 speakers I momentarily passed from a two-dimensional listening experience and into 3D. Like night and day, the focal point of the speakers gave realistic depth to the recording; when I closed my eyes my brain told me I was at that concert, but a step forward or backward and the imagery was gone. Those speakers gave new meaning to "live music".
They ARE legendary.
The 57s have a very tight image point like most flat panel speakers.
I prefer the 63s simply due to a maintenance point of view. They also go louder. Plus the concentric circles gives a better point source with a wider image.
Thank you for these wonderful old photos on the construction of the greatest loudspeakers ever produced
Thanks for these great old photos. I still have a pair of esl57’s I bought in the early 1970’s. They still work fine. Ultimately I will probably need to look at repairs or rebuild and there are very few people I would entrust them to. I live in Melbourne, Australia. Any thoughts or comments? Regards, Norm
Howdy. Glad you liked them.
I know very little about the 57s, I've never seen inside one. I just buy and repair 63s. 57s require a very different set of skills.
In Melbourne the man to see is John Hall. I believe he is still working on them. Email me at youtube@mogford.com and I'll give his phone no. as I last knew it.
I'm in Melbourne too.
@@850mk3 Thanks for your reply. Probably take me 1-2 days to email you - thank you for the contact. I don’t need help yet, but it could happen at any time and I will ‘phone him and introduce myself. A few years ago, saw an esl-57 in the museum at Edinburgh, Scotland - made me feel old! Regards Norm
I have a pair of ESL57’s. Can you advise me on a compatible and affordable amplifier for them please.
Sorry, not really. I'd try for the Quad 303 or 405. Main thing is that you need an amp that can take low impedance loads, the quads were designed for it.
I've destroyed a class D amp on my 2912s because it couldn't handle the low Z.
@@MoggysHiFiAntics Ideally use Quad II amps with a Quad 34 or similar but beware of the earthing needs of this set-up.
I don't believe the original panels were mylar, that came later particularly with rebuilds.
Don't put ESL 57s on a wall or even with a wall directly behind them. They like space behind them to sound good. The stacked setup in slide 3 is impressive.
Don't think Faye realised they are dipoles & need breathing space behind!