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Replacements for Quad 989's ??

I am looking for a replacement speaker for my pair of Quad 989’s. I love the Quads, but miss the bottom end. The lower freq of the Quads is very true, but lacks impact. Most types of music, of all forms do contain a fair amount of bottom end content. Certainty live music does. But here is the problem. I hate to give up the open nature of the Quads, their soundstage, depth, and accuracy.

Adding subs to Quads is hit and miss. I am aware of some other panel speakers that may have a better bottom end, but the price is a tad out of my range.

My Specs.

The room is 21 x 23, with a 9 foot ceiling that slopes up to 16 feet. The back wall of the 23 foot ( 16 foot high part ), is open for 16 of the 23 feet. The Quads are on the front 23 foot wall, well spaced off the walls and sides. Listening is not really near field, but the Quads are about 12 – 13 feet away from the listening position.

What make ?? model ?? of speaker will give me close to the Quads best features, but give me some increased bottom end, with out a one KW amp.

Current electronics are:

Bryston 2b-sst amp
Bryston 26 preamp, with MC and MM
Cary 303/300 CD
VPI TT
Kimber IC and Spk cables

The Bryston 2b-sst is a good match for the Quads, but may have to go.

Now the bad part. I’d like to keep the speakers under 12 grand new or used.

Any suggestion’s ??

Thanks in advance
128x128gammastrep
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Magnepan 3.6 or 20.1.

Short term the Bryston will suffice but you will need more horsepower to properly drive both Maggies.
rhljazz
1,117 posts
 
My local dealer has 2805's set up with a Wilson Benesch Torus sub and impact is one of the strengths. It is more than just low frequency rumble and shake, it is a seamless extension of the Quads bottom end. Pretty damn impressive!
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
5,112 posts
 
I suggest that we all try our very best to select, install, and set up all of our gear with great hopes and desires, however in the end, it is all hit or miss. I certainly would try the sub woofer route...I know this is time and energy enefficient, but I would try every sub, passive, and electronic crossover, until I've exhausted all manufacturers and still was displeased with the results..only then would I change the whole damn speaker.
jafox
1,348 posts
 
The reason I mentioned the A3 and not the M1/A1 was because Gammastrep mentioned he wanted this under $12k. And it was mentioned that the 989's are doing mighty fine in the listeners room other than a lack of low-end control. The M1/A1 speakers do come up at this price and lower from time to time, but this would require an equal investment in electronics to achieve their capability. Without this, it makes no sense to consider the speaker.

As a long time Maggie owner, I loved these speakers. But anybody using Bryston electronics with these has no idea the capability that can be had.

To choose a speaker to resolve the reported problem, it will like be necessary to find an appropriate amp at the same time. To simply buy a different speaker and expect much benefit will likely result in further dissatisfaction.
ggavetti
141 posts
 
I just bought a pair of Gradient woofers (the SW63) for my ESL 57, and the combination is just stunning. The SW 63 go down to mid 20 Hz, and then we all know the uniqueness of the 57 midrange...not a bad combination at all. I think this combination is hard to beat at any price point.
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