[thunderbrick]

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/4451021439.html 

 

[daves]

Some of the panels don't work, it has been in storage for a decade, he lost the power cords, it will run $1500 for a full rebuild, and they normally sell for $800 to $1200 working/rebuilt.

Looks like you will be in $2000 for about a $1000 set of speakers, not a good place to be.

[Baumli]

Gentlemen,

I happened to see this ad: "Excellent condition," he writes, and then "some panels may need replacing." Is this oxymoronic phraseology, if ever it existed?

Besides, I have heard more than one set of the ES-57 speakers. Call them vintage if you want, but the truth is, they sound awful. The '63s have their drawbacks, but at least they have that gorgeous midrange. The '57s certainly do not.

Thank you, Daves, for telling us what the price parameters are. I had no idea a person could be out that much on a rebuild. The person selling them would be fortunate to have someone haul them off for free.

Realistically speaking,

Francis Baumli

[orientalexpress]

Gentlemen,

I happened to see this ad: "Excellent condition," he writes, and then "some panels may need replacing." Is this oxymoronic phraseology, if ever it existed?

Besides, I have heard more than one set of the ES-57 speakers. Call them vintage if you want, but the truth is, they sound awful. The '63s have their drawbacks, but at least they have that gorgeous midrange. The '57s certainly do not.

Thank you, Daves, for telling us what the price parameters are. I had no idea a person could be out that much on a rebuild. The person selling them would be fortunate to have someone haul them off for free.

Realistically speaking,

Francis Baumli

Wow,really?what speakers do u consider to have a good midrange?Quad is well-known for there midrange,as matter of fact ,alot speakers company try  to imitate ESL sound by selling those expensive supertweeter add on.

[daves]

Oriental express, I thought baumli was quite succinct stating he did not like the 57s, but viewed the 63s  quite favorably. It may be the lack of bass that over accentuates the mods on the 57s, a condition many owners note in their reviews.

[rooze]

I loved my 57's and wish I still had them.
Some people restore classic cars knowing from the outset that the value of the finished car will be less than the restoration cost, but they do it anyway. There's a certain amount of pride and satisfaction in knowing that you've prevented a classic from being discarded and junked. Sure, if money is tight, look elsewhere for a restored pair. But if you're somewhat sentimental about the brand and the place that it holds in loudspeaker history, and you know what to expect in terms of the sound of the finished product, then it would be a fun project and a worthwhile buy.
YMMV
IMHO
JFYI

etc.

[of course, I wouldn't suggest paying anywhere close to the asking price, who does that on Craigslist?]

[Baumli]

Dear Orientalexpress,

I didn't mean to "step on your toes" with my rather dogmatic opinion. Maybe I should soften it and acknowledge that perhaps, just maybe, the '57s I heard hadn't been rebuilt right, or were in need of a rebuild. But "awful" is what I heard. The '63s do have a gorgeous midrange, and the current Quad's are a very impressive speaker (although lacking that studio-monitor focus that I personally like to hear.) (And note I say "personally." I realize people have different opinions, and even different ears, on this.)

Since you ask what speakers I do think have a gorgeous midrange, I'll mention a few of my favorites: I love the Merlin's, although they are a fragile speaker. Many models of the Quad's appeal greatly. Certain models of the Naim. Vandersteen. and Dunlavy just about reign supreme here. I think I'd put the Dunlavy's first, and certain models of the Merlin's second. The Dunlavy SC-II and SC-III are just gorgeous, and the Merlin EXL-1 is to die for. Unfortunately, all of these models are now discontinued, but one can find them on the used market, if one is lucky.

I could go on, but this is enough aural porno for the night.

Conciliatorily and candidly yours,

Francis Baumli