Quad's Classic ESL 63 Electrostatic – A Legend in its Own Lifetime, and Beyond

Here's a speaker that needs no introduction – as it continues to delight audiophiles even today, despite being designed 60 years ago! As its name suggests, Quad's ESL-63 electrostatic loudspeaker began development in 1963, and was finally launched in the very early 1980s..

There's little in the way of controversy in this episode, as Mike and David both know and love this speaker. Both are Quad electrostatic owners, and both understand what a well preserved pair is capable of doing. All the same, bickering breaks out!

Each episode of Hi-Fi Riff features their unedited, unexpurgated views about all manner of weird and wonderful hi-fi designs.

Business executive Mike has a wealth of knowledge from previous hi-fi retail experience, and David has written about hi-fi for thirty years. Now Editor-in-Chief of StereoNET, he's picked up a few things along the way.

So relax and enjoy some one-take hi-fi riffing – and please leave your comments below. And don’t forget to hit the Subscribe button, this one goes up to eleven!

The eighties-tastic title tune is called ‘UFO/Mike’s Jumper’, and used with the express permission of our old pal and rights holder Simon Lythe.

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