For Quad fans but with beer budgets...

I auditioned a nice little new monitor from these guys the other day - in spite of a bad room, bad set-up (10 other speakers beside and behind them) and being run with a receiver (and not a great one at that) they sounded nicely open and not bright. They sell here in Hong Kong for about $600 US a pair (S1) and strangely the bigger standmount model (S2) was only about $60 more. The S2 has a 5 inch woofer instead of a 4 and is 3dB more sensitive and has a claimed 10hz deeper bass.

I also briefly heard the floorstander which seemed nice as well with passive radiators on the back. You might want to keep an eye out given the fairly reasonable price of them and seemingly nice finish.

 

Nice. Wonder how the ribbon tweeter fits in...some are well integrated, others can be a little edgy. Quad did very well with their 11L speakers back in 2003.

 

Link? Name?

 

They're Quad S1s and S2s.

 

They are not on the website yet apparently.

http://www.avrevolution.com.au/speakers/bookshelf/quad/s-1

They are covered here at the bottom of page http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/bristol-sound-vision-2015-part-two/?page=3

and http://www.whathifi.com/news/bristol-show-2015-quad-unveils-s-series-speakers-and-artera-components

 

That's been my experience - I am not a big fan of ribbons but the Roksans do a pretty good job of integrating things. The Quads are less than half the price so could wind up a good deal.

 

These are interesting. I wonder when the current importer will get them?

 

Thanks.

 

If they sound anything like the Quad electrostats, tonality-wise, I want to hear 'em!

 

The current importer is MoFi Distribution. Give 'em a holler. They'll have an answer.

It's the first time in my life that I can remember a Quad importer being serious about the brand.

 

Yes both S-series and Vena are available. Feedback from S-5 customer is the ribbon tweeter is more natural sounding that 22L2s. I also have feedback for the Vena.

 

Anyone heard the S2's yet?

 

I heard the S2's briefly at Gig Harbor Audio, being driven by a Jolida JD 1501 BRC.

They were sounding very nice. Not just nice for their price, but very nice.

More bass than I would have guessed from their size too.