Rating
Reviewed by:
Jfb2006
(AudioPhile)
Review Date
August 15, 2008Overall Rating
 5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
Less than 1 month |
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Review 1 of 6
Price Paid:
$700.00
from Online Summary:
This is a review of the Quad 22L2, the second generation of the Quad 22L,which I was extremely lucky (in hindsight) to purchase used for the price I got them at. Prior to purchasing, I was unfamiliar with the speaker and only scarcely familiar with the company, a leading British audio manufacturer. I was looking for something to replace my beloved Klipsch Heresies, and I chose these based on some stellar reviews.
Out of the box, the Quads worried me a little. They were clear and somewhat engaging, but they lacked the easy dynamism of the Heresies and seemed to require a lot of power. Furthermore, they sounded a little boomy in my 25' square listening area. I soon learned, however, that though listed as used, these Quads were not broken in yet. They were essentially brand new. After five hours, I noticed some surprising changes in the sound; little details in the music I hadn't noticed before were starting to come through. And the boomines was subsiding. After 20 hours (right now) they are bordering on unbelievable. They are now as dynamic as my Heresies, but far, far more transparent ("holographic" is appropriate), and without any of the boxy coloration that the Heresies give the music. Before break in, the mid-range on these speakers was recessed, but it is blooming now, and holy man! I've never heard speakers like this before. I've never even auditioned speakers this good, not even the Viennas I listened to at Magnolias were this viscerally exciting. I have them bi-ampilified with Adcom 535 and 545 amps. They like the power, but they could certainly get by with less. I am following the manufacturer's recommendation by positioning them exactly 350 millimeters from the wall. The boominess is completely gone now, and the base is deep and tight. I still use a Def Tech subwoofer, but I have the crossover set almost as low as it goes. Strengths:
Extremely revealing with big, spacious sound stage ("holographic") and as engaging and dynamic as horn-loaded Heresies. Neutral and uncolored (unlike Heresies). Though detailed, not the least bit clinical or "dry" and suitable for solid state amps (unlike Heresies). Capable of playing loud (like Heresies). Fairly small footprint. Gorgeous with deep gloss piano finish! Weaknesses:
Reports indicate these speakers must break in for at least 75 hours and perhaps for as long as 200 hours. I can so far testify to the dramatic changes that occur during the first 20 hours. Similar Products Used:
Mission 761s, Paradigm Phantoms, Boston Acoustic VRM60s, Acoustic Research P428PSs, Klipsh Heresies.
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Rating
Reviewed by:
hogy
(Audio Enthusiast)
Review Date
July 12, 2006Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
Less than 1 month Visitors rate this review
4.33 of 5,
6.00 votes
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Review 2 of 6
Price Paid:
$0.00
from caxton audio Summary:
Having owned copious amounts of speaker from well respected manufacturers I came across these 22l's. Once going through the whole demo session I decided to purchase.
After hooking up to my belovid primare a10 and marantz cd6000 and putting on of my favourite discs I was simply amazed by the sound these speakers could produce. The amount of presence and detail is excellent and as for the bottom end well I will never need a sub. Even at low volumes they excel, the only thing is I wouldn't recommend this in small rooms as the bass could overwhelm, but i guess that depend on your furnishings. Dont hook up cheap electronics because they demand quality and deserve it. Strengths:
full range sound, excellent detail depth and pesence, superb finish Weaknesses:
need space to be herd at their best Similar Products Used:
b&w 601,602,603,cdm1,cdm1nt, cdm7, monitor audio silver 5i, rs1, rs6, polk audio,quad 12l,bose am5, castle harlechs, kef iq3
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Rating
Reviewed by:
zulumax
(AudioPhile)
Review Date
January 28, 2006Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
More than 1 year Visitors rate this review
4.83 of 5,
6.00 votes
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Review 3 of 6
Price Paid:
$1200.00
from Turntable Treasures Summary:
I spent about a year auditioning different speakers in the under $2000 range before deciding on these, including Martin Logan Montage, Vandersteen 2Ce and 2C signature, Thiel CS1.6, Wharfedale, Polk, and Vienna Acoustics. I kept going back to listen to the Quad L series because they were the most neutral sounding and seemed voiced very similar to their big brother electostats than any other dynamic cone speakers I have heard. High end is articulate and fast like the Martin Logan’s.
Even though the Quad's are dome tweeters, they sound more like ribbons with much fine detail and no dercernable coloration. The woven Kevlar drivers are very fast and tight, with creamy warm midrange and vocals that will melt seamlessly with the high end. The stereo image is much better that I had anticipated in a floor stander. Sound stage is 3 dimensional. Transient response the best attribute, bongo's and wood blocks seem to hang in the air! Bass response is very accurate and best in it's class of everything I tested except for the Vandersteen's which had gobs more deep bass, but the mids sounded muddier. Let's be real, the Quad 22L's do well for twin 6.5 inchers, but I am going to add the Quad 12" sub later. Port noise can be quite anoying
with very low frequencies like pipe organ notes at loud volumes. Strengths:
Very accurate tiembre and transient response, flat,flat,flat response without dips. Anything acoustic just sounds very real. This speaker gets my vote for grand piano and guitar. Weaknesses:
bass dynamics limited in large room, smaller room recommended. Port air noise audible due to grid in port.Colorations by poor electronics becomes more noticable, room placement very touchy, need to be quite a ways away from walls or vocals sound too plump. 1 ft min. 2 to 3 ft. ideal. Similar Products Used:
Kef C-95's, Speakerlab, Altec
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Rating
Reviewed by:
whiskeytango6
(AudioPhile)
Review Date
December 6, 2005Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
Less than 1 month Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
3.00 votes
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Review 4 of 6
Price Paid:
$1090.00
from underwoodhifi Summary:
From the first look, you would say that the Quad 22l's are just like any other 2-3 way loudspeaker. As a matter of fact they look a lot like the Wharfedale 9.6's. another IAG company line. The finish is absolutely gogeous, mine came in birdseye maple. Gobs of lacquer finishing is applied. stunning for good looks. But, a pretty package does not good music make. So, knowing the break-in is around 200 hours I fired these speakers up right away....why not, they suck I'll just sell em on ebay. Jaw dropping sound is to polite a word......right out of the box.....HUGE soundstage, dynamic sound...my room filled....clean tight bass....and LOW!!!! clean tight bass. WOW! factor of ten....after breakin....you can "see" the performers on stage.....Wonderful speaker. Let the breakin go in a little deeper to allow the voicing to come thru...M Strengths:
Imaging, soundstage, mids, highs....LOWS.....a killer speaker! Better than my $3000.00 Whafedale Opus 2's! Weaknesses:
long breakin, due to carbon woofers...but well worth it! Similar Products Used:
Soloiloquy 6.2i
Whafedale Opus 2
Legacy focus 20/20
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Rating
Reviewed by:
machani
(Audio Enthusiast)
Review Date
July 5, 2005Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
 4 of 5
Used product for
1 to 3 months Visitors rate this review
4.80 of 5,
5.00 votes
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Review 5 of 6
Price Paid:
$1120.00
from Signature Audio, Van Summary:
I bought these speakers "hearing unheard", because my wife preferred the rosewood finish over the piano black finish of the Quad 21L I was auditioning. My concerns over the so-called "inherent flaws" of 2 1/2 way design speakers vanished when I set these speakers up at home. They pretty much retain all the excellent sonic attributes, including the detail and deep sounstage, of the Quad 21L while adding more full bodied bass.
These are very musical and sweet sounding speakers. They produces silky smooth highs, have a liquid midrange and tight, deep bass. They are also balanced, detailed and transparent. The imaging is precise and nothing short of excellent. Quad has done an excellent job of mass loading the main bass driver and there is absolutely no boxiness that I can discern. Kick drums sound live and real.
That said these speakers are suited for medium to large rooms and will sound their best only if positioned properly - at least 7' apart, 2.5' away from the side walls, and 9' or more from the listening position.
They are also unforgiving of poor upstream components. Starting from the power supply to CD player, interconnects, preamp, amp and speaker cables (not to mention capacitors, tubes, and opamps), these speakers will reveal everything. If you are a non-believer of biwiring, these speakers will make a believer out of you! Supply them with clean power and quality upstream components and you will be rewarded with full bodied, transparent, detailed and involving sound that will make you feel connected to the music. Strengths:
Musical, transparent, detailed, full bodied and non-fatiguing sound. Very impressive build quality and finish. Weaknesses:
Sensitive to positioning and room acoustics. Will reveal flaws in your upstream components if they are not on par. Similar Products Used:
JMLab Chorus 714S, Kef Q4
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