Thank you for this insightful review. I went out and auditioned today and came home with a pair in black piano finish. After the setup, my wife and I sat down and listened to the most wonderful music and sound stage we ever experienced at home. Truly magical experience, for this price. Sounds like it should be worth several times more. I can't wait to hear the imaging after a couple months run-in!
@@Tharbamar It truly is. Just got done listening to some B&W 606 S2 Anniversay Editions. They are on their way back as of tomorrow. The Quads are a magical speaker.
Had mine for two years. I never get bored listening to them and there is no treble fatigue to make them tiring. Out of a great many speakers I've had these are my favourites.
Extremely detailed and crisp highs without the fatigue and ear bleeds to go a long with it. Truly an amazing job they did we these. I just got done with a pair of brand new B&W 606 Anniversary models, they are boxed up and ready to ship back to Crutchfield.
Thanks for reviewing a speaker of which we have not much information in the internet. Sound demo brought out the excellent abilities of these speakers, especially the vocals. Bravo QUAD.
I find your reviews to be very accurate, informative and honest. I’ve owned these Quad S2’s for a little over a month now and am absolutely in love with their engaging sound. There is no such thing as a perfect speaker but this one comes close. Over the past three years, I have had MANY bookshelves rotate through my two channel room, these are here to stay.
@@Tharbamar By the way, Happy New Year. I really enjoy your reviews. Every, and I mean everything you covered in the Quad review is exactly what I am hearing! I’ve been doing my own comparisons, I just sent back some Elac DBR62’s, the only thing the Elac’s did better, just more powerful sound. Everything else wasn’t even close. I have a pair of B&W 606 Anniversary models on their way. Curious to hear the difference.
@@CandidUploads I’m deep into making some comparisons. Actually took 2 days off, just to spend some time listening to music. But you can’t go wrong with either speaker. Also kind of depends on what you’re looking for.
Writing a comment before watching the video! Finally a review on the net for the Quad S2s. They deserve to be reviewed many times over! anybody who's not heard one of these should rush out and audition them!
Finally!!! It was about time.. Thank you so much for reviewing the Quad S-2 bookshelves! Awesome review and analysis done.. I am so glad that I bought these in 2018! ❤️😊
Great review of an often overlooked jem. Also big respect for your logical approach of determining voice accuracy... Makes total sense as judging music / recording accuracy is only for those present as a recording. Great work I am hoping and waiting for the day you might review some tube amps from china
I agree with everything in this review. These speakers are definitely high quality and sound musical. I have a pair of the Quad Z-2 and they definitely don't disappoint either. No subwoofer needed if your room is medium in size. Thanks for such great contents!
i always wonder how the Z2 sound compared with the S2. never had the chance to try.The Z series tweeters are bigger so i suppose more sweet spot? Did you managed to compare both?
@@saltyolive_ I have not heard the S2 in person, but I can tell you that the Z2 are very sweet sounding. It has an "inviting" sound that is just easy to listen to. They are able to do this without losing any details to the sound. But, if you have the Z2s, make sure to give them plenty of space because they don't like to be pushed against the wall too much. More space will allot them so sound more airy. Thanks!
I'm glad you like these! I use the Quad Z-3 and absolutely love them. Quad doesn't get as much attention as I think it deserves. They really make great stuff.
I just wanted to say Thank You my friend. For getting me started in making cables and doing further research on the EMI side to power cables and the EMI to RCAs. I use Mogami as a start, then braid the Mogami with a strand of 3 braided Ethernet wires (for now). Can't tell why as i'm still testing and may patent the final product whenever that may be. :D Anyway man, you are one of the best out there in the audio world. I'm so grateful for educators that do it for free. I'm a professor so I take money. :D Good luck in the future man, I tell as many people interested in audio about your channel. I hope it's helping out.
Thank you for the review. I recently bought a pair of Quad S2's to go with my Marantz NR1200 and SVS SB1000 subwoofer. Incredible setup for movies and music, thanks again recommending the S2s!
@@tshaolin971 I use them for music and home theater and they work well for home theater, especially for dialogue because of the clear way they reproduce human voices. My amp is analogue 2.1 so I’m not sure about Dolby Atmos performance.
@@chriswhalley I would think they would excel in a theater application. With the accuracy and non fatiguing way they reproduce the human voice. No hint of harshness or sibilants. I just bought a second pair for my living room system. I have a 5.1 system set up down there but seriously considering going to a 2.1 channel system.
They sound so incredibly clean that we must re - accustom the ear to bear it. When listening to the smack (hit) of the snare it seems false, like, perhaps, much prominence of the ribbon. But when listening to the voice and the punch of the bass drum (of which the ribbon is part), there is no doubt that there is fidelity in this system. Then the instruments in the hallelujah cover confirm it. I'm not talking about the reverb of the voice as the room and the image may be modifying something. Excellent.
I agree totally. The snare sounds fake and fatiguing to me and that is just enough of a deal breaker even though the rest of the frequencies sound damn amazing.
Was considering these but ended up with the much bigger Piega Classic 7.0. The Piega's are fantastic, I recommend you get your hands on one of these beauties since you're on the path of ribbon tweeters, Piega's expertise will shine!
suddenly the background instruments of the usual tracks become more noticeable. i have the quad 12L and they have the best finish in the range. I think they deserve more attention and reviews. now i gotta revisit your 706 s2 demos again.
That's funny, that you aired this video today, as I got my Quad S2 delivered today as well. Just listened to a few songs so far, but this is a keeper :)
@@Tho76mas Thanks. I ask because I often have good impressions of speakers right away but then later want something better. These seem to be the sound I am looking for.
First of all, I think you're the best reviewer on RUclips. Secondly, I know the Quad S2 is a few hundred dollars more than the KEF Q350, but how would you compare the two? Are the Quads worth the extra money? Thanks so much.
I've had the Quads for a couple weeks and have put some hours on it. Have watched movies as well as listened to music. In comparison, I used Focal 807Ws to determine strengths, weaknesses, preferences using a Hegel h-160, a SoundArtist SA-200IA and an inexpensive but good performing class D amp. In a nutshell I suppose, the strengths of the Quad S-2 using any of the amps with varying degrees of SQ according to each amps capabilities, the Quads depict voice and instrument playback with pinpoint accuracy, think 20/10 vision vs 20/20 or so. The Focals have always been more focused in this regard to other sub $1000 speakers but the Quads seem to have more precision in outlining voice and instruments. Probably instrument separation was close as I didn't notice a big difference. Now the accuracy does come at a price, with the Hegel, the Focals are smooth, forward with some depth and dimensionality and are quite euphonic. All of which I like and qualities which draw me into the music. With the Hegel, the Quads were smooth but presented a drier, flatter soundstage. While perhaps more accurate, the presentation was a bit smaller but that flatness was unappealing to me. Perhaps there are audiophiles that prefer this presentation but not me. A previous review alluded to this as well in comparison to mid tier Wharfedales. Moving to the SoundArtisit, a lower tier class AB amp, the SQ of both speakers were affected to some degree but not enough to prove useless. I would say this amp was not a good match for the Focals as the upper mids and highs stood out more than the bass and lower mids (amp wise) making the Focals too bright and unbalanced (the amp itself should be described this way). I think this particular amp, while refined for the price is too unbalanced across frequencies. However, on the Quads, they added some life, some sparkle they were missing on the Hegel. I wouldn't say they escaped their 2-D soundstage, they just sounded a bit more exciting which they really needed to. I think people may like the Quads a bit better on brighter amps as opposed to darker, but that's my own speculation. Perhaps the Denon accentuates the highs? Also to note, I found the Quads very enjoyable watching movies with the added clarity enhancing speech, non-musical micro details as well as soundtracks. I won't say they were always better than my Focals, just different as both present fine definition. I might like some things better on the Quads as well as some things better on the Focals. But for speech, the Quads do it very well. So the biggest difference is regarding music playback. I would say the Quads are missing something that brings out one's emotions when listening to music. It could be for me at least, they are too dry and analytical as they seem to fail to draw me into the musical experience. With the Focals, I always seem to just stop what I'm doing as they captivate attention and present a very emotional experience for me. The Focals "may" be less accurate, transparent,. etc., in comparison to the Quads but the Quads are just not as enjoyable to listen to. Now, on a cheap little class D, the Focals are still a very nice speaker but dynamics suffer the most. So large differences between micro details and larger sounds aren't as great. Probably similar with the Quads but the Quads still sounded good on class D. You are giving up some dynamics and refinement with a cheaper class D but I did prefer it to the SoundArtist at 8X the price. The SoundArtist went back as it wasn't up to expectations but probably typical for its' price point. Still, on class D, I preferred my Focals to the Quads with music even though the Quads provide more refinement with voice and instruments. The Quads just don't draw me into the music. For strictly movies, either is fine but for music, I think the Quads are sensitive to finding the right amp or may be fine for someone who prefers accuracy while accepting a more 2-D soundstage, less excitement, less emotion perhaps? Also, when I get close, in between my Focals the tweeter/woofer remain very cohesive and it sounds like you are wearing headphones. Some speakers do this, some don't. The Quads don't. It's like there's a bit of a disconnect between drivers. I don't think the Quads would work well in nearfield. Also, the Quads don't disappear int the room as well as the Focals do but they should given they have a smaller woofer...a trait which some say exists. So, there's a perspective you can take with a few grains of salt. I think the Quads are talented in some things but fail to draw me into a musical experience even though I do like the highly defined quality of how voice and instruments are presented. As one who always preferred a more analytical sound, they are just too much so and kind of boring to me. Fine for movies, really fine but lacking with music only. I guess, there's a coloration or presentation I prefer that makes a speaker sound "musical". I've noticed this quality in other speakers as well. I probably would less prefer a studio monitor although I wouldn't place the Quads in this category. With a 5 inch woofer, an amp that really grips with strong bass might not be best either. While expensive amps are overkill for the above speakers used, the Hegel and Focals are a great match. The Hegel may be OK with the Quads but with a set of Triangle Zetas I have, the mids get too muddled. The Triangles and the cheap class D are a nice match. Seems speakers with paper woofers like class D amps. I think the Quads do well with either class D or A/B amps with not to high damping factors. It's just for me, they lack some emotional engagement with music. Lastly, there is no perfect speaker, the Quads are detailed and accurate, a set of Monitor Audios had very nice tonality for piano decay, very natural, the Focals give enough and give up little not being the best in everything but have enough to give me what I need. Can I get "more" of the same with improvements where needed? I think we all try to do that but at some point I guess you accept that what you have is good enough. If the music captivates you, you are on the right track. No perfect speaker, no one way to enjoy music. Happy listening.
Denon PMA-SX11 is neutral with warm side of sound signature, it’s class A bias amplifier with very natural sounding without any brightness even with B&W speakers. Overall It’s a very musical amp that doesn’t call attention to it self with tremendous bass control and grip regardless of the size of the speakers. Quick summary is: everything will reproduce naturally like original instruments if the speakers are up to the task. Quad S2 is stupendously musical pairing with this amplifier, thanks
@@Tharbamar Agree, it's a good speaker, no doubt about it. Just like what I like. We are all lucky to have so much to chose from...albeit a long journey for some.
Sorry arriving in this discussion years later, although I have owned S2s for 4 years now. Your thoughts on the Quads are very interesting and makes me wonder if amps are the issue. I use a Quad Solus, so it's 'in house' for what that's worth (personally I'm not sure much), but for certain it is a superlative match. This system gives maximum musical engagement.....goosebumps, shivers, hairs on the back of the neck...you name it. In that regard, other systems I have run and in some cases still own, just don't compete....not even close. However they do offer scale, bass and dynamics that the little Quads could never hope to. So it does depend on one's priorities, I guess.....
@karlhinchliffe4920 absolutely agree. And tastes change. Kevlar is known to take a long time to break in and perhaps to get accustomed to. The quads were the most transparent speakers I ever had.
Thank you Mr Tharbamar for the review. Enjoy all your reviews and I'd like to say you found yourself a hidden gem. Thats right.. so many overrated speakers in the market. the Quads are really under the radar... early this year I walked in the showroom curious as I was looking at Quad S1 for my 2nd setup. sampled both S1 and S2, got blown away by the S2 and i walked out with the piano finished S2. They are now my main setup!! True story. Prior to this mated the Cambridge Audio CXC, Musical Fidelity V90DAC( linear supply),Musical Fidelity A3.5 to the Monitor Audio Silver 4i. #1 most natural voice, SUPER life like #2 soundstage not as wide but gives you an intimate feel #3 if the recording sucks, you don't expect these speakers to sugar coat them #4 really lovely for classical music and vocals I will highly recommend these speakers to anyone whom enjoy your music. Its really a almost perfect speaker at this price point!!
@@nc3419 apart from the low ends, they sounded and looked like using the same ribbon tweeter but overall the representation, sound-stage is much noticeable wider on the S2. The S1 where cute. but the price difference between both in my country of around 10-15% i chose the S2. Plus its sexy piano finish. But truth to be told, S2 when compared to my older MA sound-stage are a tad narrower like what Mr Tharbamar mentioned not in a bad way but engaging and intimate. I love these but i hope the ribbon tweeter can last me for many years of musical joy :D
@@saltyolive_ I had Monitor Audio Silver 50s previous generation...very wide soundstage, extended beyond speakers. Everything else I've had at or between speakers. Considering Quad S-2 in black walnut or possibly Canton Vento 830.2. Never heard Vento line so it;s a hard choice. Piano finish on Quads look great from the pics.
@@nc3419 I agree. Mine was the Monitor Audio Silver 4i previous generation too.you will find the soundstage abit more narrower. Might need awhile to get used to and also the speaker burn in to loosen. Those Monitor Audios are lovely too arent they. not fussy with amplifiers. but the Quad are a notch up in finesse. i havent tried Canton Vento 830.2 so i can't comment. I think you might want to see your pairing too..!
@JQ I had fare share with many different speakers, to be honest this is the one let me think about how many others in the price range were overpriced for what we get, I'm glad that I have this speaker, thanks
Just got these 2 days ago. In the uk 600 pounds for these is amazing value for money. Cant believe how good they are. You can literally feel the instruments they are that accurate and transparent. They have a surprising amount of bass weight too for their size. Absolutely zero brightness just pure smooth detail. Seriously good speakers.
Listen with really good headphones guys even Floorstanders have problems with this Quad series S Standmounders anyway imagine the Quad S series Floorstanders are out of this world wonderful speakers they worth every penny
It looks like these are worth every penny... However after Your review of Wharfedale Evo 4.2 I decided to buy and test Wharfedale Evo 4.1 and I think they will be staying with me longer..all it means You are testing, giving the verdict.. we are buying and at the end 100% satisfaction! Thank You so much. Its good to have You here.😇
many thanks tharbamer another great video i love your honest straight forward reviews .love your channel think i will buy these for my christmas present .happy christmas to you 🙂🙂🙂
I've thought it more than a bit strange how this great little speaker does not get the respect it deserves. It seems pretty much ignored by the vast majority of audiophools.
Dynaudio emit 10 are another set of bookshelf speakers that are excellent in the same price range. Very musical an authoritative. Yet one never finds any review of those little beasts by experts and audiophiliacs.
The NewsBaaz The KEF LS50 paired with a subwoofer has some of the best results I’ve ever seen. It made me sell my $60,000 loudspeaker and rethink everything I know about loudspeaker systems. Real talk.
@@TheNewsBaaz Yes the Dynaudio emit were on my list with the Wharfedales Evo and the Quads S2. They have excellent dynamic but I found out that the highs are a bit harsh thus fatiguing for long sessions unfortunately.
Thanks for review. But for me demo material is slow and lite for testing. It will be interesting to listen Mezzoforte, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Doug Johns, Wojtek Pilichowski, Steve Vai (Modern Primitive), Glenn Hughes..
You are my go-to speaker reviewer, always very engaging. Which of the less expensive amps would do these 'enough' justice? Sometimes, paying a little more either is or isn't worth the difference it makes, if you get me. Appreciate your guidance.
Nice. I tested the Quad Z3 a year or so ago, really good speaker but at the end I went with the KEF R5's. And speaking of KEF, When are you going to review the KEF R3 speakers..?
@@polyreviews2558 I picked the KEF R3's. I like the looks more and also that it was a brand new model, also considered future brand support and resale value. The Quads sounded really good though.
Good review. If you said ‘good for this price range’ I’m always thinking’s it is relative to other products up to USD1000. If my budget is USD 2000 to be spend on stand mounted speaker is it still a good choice for the performance? Say compare to KEF or B&W
Yes, between QUAD S2 and $2000 speakers is about 10% different in performance, most likely in bass response, hard to beat them in midrange and highs, to be able to see the significant difference in performance you have to go up to carefully selected bookshelf speakers in $4-5k range because some of them in that price range is often overpriced for their performance and quality. Thanks
sound stage is a bit smaller compare to others and you still rate it 5 stars, why ? one or 2 ratings i would like is how much power it needs to play loud, how it sound at loud levels, also if it can play loud, that would be nice to know for us who like it a bit loud
Great reviews, straight forward with no fluff. I currently have Kef Q350, which is one of your favorites. How much of an upgrade would it be, if I go with Quad S2?
Nice insightful review as always... How do these Quads S2 perform with the 80's music since we know you're a huge fan? Like the evos 4.2? You mentioned that the B&W 706 S2 are not so great with that music...Thanks
@@Tharbamar Thanks for your input....My room is 247 sq feet..do you think I'll be ok with the quads? Is the room too big for them, should I consider the Evos instead??.. I kinda prefer the Quads sound signature.. Thanks
I listen to a lot of percussion, metal and rock, how good are these? Punch/slam/impact? Will be pairing them with a good sealed sub. From various sound demos they seem to sound amazing for jazz and pop.
Quad venna 2 is perfect, the quad delivers a clean sound and should be kept that way, the denon is putting out a warm signal into the speakers which is not getting the best sound from the speakers. Try a neutral sounding amp that way it will sound clean.
Dear Tharbama, I was wondering how do the S2's perform when used for low volume listening? PS.Thanks for the great review and for the accompanying comparison videos. Your content has helped me narrow down my speaker shortlist, I am extremely grateful to you!
Tharbamar, why do you like the Quad S2 over the KEF LS50? You mention that you like it better, but can you expand on what ways it is better than the LS50? I've had LS50's for almost a year and they're great, but I'm curious about the Quads now.
Hello!!!! I just got these (Quad S2s) and have experienced quite a variation in the souñd production if the position is changed. Could you recommend positioning for the S2s ? Thanks again. I really enjoy your videos.
@@Tharbamar thanks for your reply. I actually changed the setup entirely. Moved them to the bedroom which is roughly 15'x20' and connected the speaker to my smsl ad18. It's an absolute miracle. I'm using the same stands that I have. Soundstage, imaging and vocal reproduction is like no other.❤️
I found the S2 a bit fussy about positioning in "my room"'. Mine are on 24" stands and 18" away from the back wall. I have them toed-in just enough to see the inner sides of the speakers from my listening position 12 feet away. I found the mid-range a little recessed and the sound in general lacking focus when firing straight down the room.
A general question. If I go from my present B%W 685 s'2's, to these, what am I gaining or losing? THE spec's are almost a mirror. The sensitivity is better 93 DB ONE watt, one meter.Bowers) versus 87 for these guys. That's a pretty significant hit. Opinions?
Good afternoon. In the opinion of the channel, what is the best speaker to combine with Rotel Ra 02? Rotel Ra02 performance: Dynamically very advanced amplifier dynamically, running away from soft sounds and rhythms. In practice it is an amplifier to produce screaming sounds. On the bass there is a short, dry beat. Cannot produce extended or elastic beats. It doesn't handle or play well with speakers that produce dry beats. Medium and high open and airy. In the opinion of the channel, which are the recommended speakers for this rotel Ra02? I think the best speakers for this type of amp are the ones that produce elastic and extended bass to dampen the aggressive rotel sound, as well as sweet, smooth and extended mids and highs. Do I think well? I thank the channel fedbaak giving his opinion...
I am just testing the Wharfedale EVO 4.2 at home (against Canton Chrono SL 580.2 DC, XTZ 99.25 LCR and Triangle BR03) and can now buy the Quad S2 new for 500 euros. You tested both, which one do you prefer? I listen more vocals, R&B, pop and not much rock and metal, etc.
I really don't know what to get between these and Dynaudio Emit 20. Never had a chance listen to both. But as for this review I think learning towards the Quads
Depends on personal taste. I tested Quadral Rhodium 500, Dynaudio Emit 20, Quad S2 side by side. Ended up with Quads. Besides the fact Emits are great for rock, both Quadral and Dynaudio sounded somewhat plastic compared to Quads.
I'm very happy with them. His review is spot on. Very detailed, revealing and precise. They sound a LOT clearer and punchier than my previous Q Acoustic 3050i, but obviously with less bass. The bass is still pretty damn good though.
Tharbamar Really? I find that quite surprising as they have a 17cm woofer crossed over at 3.4kHz to the ribbon tweeter. I wonder if the bigger woofer will be comfortable playing at those frequencies.
How does the bass compare to rp600m or Kef LS50? It’s the only element that is making me hesitate. I have a chance to order these from the UK but I wish I could audition these speakers ,but there are no dealers in my area.
You can add bass with sub but not for that killer midrange and vocals but you’ll be surprised by the amount of bass quad S2 produce from small driver and cabinet.
Looking forward to the comparo between the Evo 4.2s since i have both the latter as well as the Quad S5s (FYI, i bought the Evos after watching your review on them.)
@@TheSpiritOfTheWest - The Evos have probably set the standard for scale and depth in bass response for standmounters. Its more than some small floorstanders that I've heard. Having said that, it does not pair well with my Marantz Amps. I would say its the combination of a warm amp with a warm speaker which translates into a laidback nature. However, when paired with a Crown XLS1502, its fast enough and the midrange cleans up really well to convey good verve in tracks. I would advise pairing it with something neutral like an audiolab 6000a and the like.
Ribbons have smaller sound stage than dome tweeters, personally I like S2 more than LS50 for stereo image, human voices,accurate midrange, driver integration is comparable.
Yes for S2 very accurate speaker which lacks a little on a bass side. Not suitable for a bad source/records. Smaller sweet spot than dome tweeter based speakers but if everything is in order, very very good speaker. Especially for the price.
![GEEK TIMË [OFFICIAL AUDIO]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ry-6RvkH880/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you for this insightful review. I went out and auditioned today and came home with a pair in black piano finish. After the setup, my wife and I sat down and listened to the most wonderful music and sound stage we ever experienced at home. Truly magical experience, for this price. Sounds like it should be worth several times more. I can't wait to hear the imaging after a couple months run-in!
Great choice, S2 is one true hidden gem.
Thank you for sharing.
@@Tharbamar It truly is. Just got done listening to some B&W 606 S2 Anniversay Editions. They are on their way back as of tomorrow. The Quads are a magical speaker.
@@jeffadams9699 I'm glad you like them, I still enjoying them as well, thanks
Had mine for two years. I never get bored listening to them and there is no treble fatigue to make them tiring. Out of a great many speakers I've had these are my favourites.
Extremely detailed and crisp highs without the fatigue and ear bleeds to go a long with it. Truly an amazing job they did we these. I just got done with a pair of brand new B&W 606 Anniversary models, they are boxed up and ready to ship back to Crutchfield.
Thanks for reviewing a speaker of which we have not much information in the internet. Sound demo brought out the excellent abilities of these speakers, especially the vocals. Bravo QUAD.
I find your reviews to be very accurate, informative and honest. I’ve owned these Quad S2’s for a little over a month now and am absolutely in love with their engaging sound. There is no such thing as a perfect speaker but this one comes close. Over the past three years, I have had MANY bookshelves rotate through my two channel room, these are here to stay.
I appreciate that!
@@Tharbamar By the way, Happy New Year. I really enjoy your reviews. Every, and I mean everything you covered in the Quad review is exactly what I am hearing! I’ve been doing my own comparisons, I just sent back some Elac DBR62’s, the only thing the Elac’s did better, just more powerful sound. Everything else wasn’t even close. I have a pair of B&W 606 Anniversary models on their way. Curious to hear the difference.
@@jeffadams9699 how did you go with the B&Ws vs the Quads? Wanting to buy either one of those.
@@CandidUploads I’m deep into making some comparisons. Actually took 2 days off, just to spend some time listening to music. But you can’t go wrong with either speaker. Also kind of depends on what you’re looking for.
@@jeffadams9699 thanks for your reply. What are your impressions/observations of their individual strengths and weaknesses now?
Writing a comment before watching the video! Finally a review on the net for the Quad S2s. They deserve to be reviewed many times over! anybody who's not heard one of these should rush out and audition them!
They are wonderful speakers no harsh at all
Finally!!! It was about time.. Thank you so much for reviewing the Quad S-2 bookshelves! Awesome review and analysis done.. I am so glad that I bought these in 2018! ❤️😊
I am so glad I bought a pair in 2020 and now again in 2021!
Great review of an often overlooked jem. Also big respect for your logical approach of determining voice accuracy... Makes total sense as judging music / recording accuracy is only for those present as a recording. Great work
I am hoping and waiting for the day you might review some tube amps from china
3 weeks ago,l bought a pair of Z2. Amazing sound and stunning in rosewood finished.
I agree with everything in this review. These speakers are definitely high quality and sound musical. I have a pair of the Quad Z-2 and they definitely don't disappoint either. No subwoofer needed if your room is medium in size. Thanks for such great contents!
i always wonder how the Z2 sound compared with the S2. never had the chance to try.The Z series tweeters are bigger so i suppose more sweet spot? Did you managed to compare both?
@@saltyolive_ I have not heard the S2 in person, but I can tell you that the Z2 are very sweet sounding. It has an "inviting" sound that is just easy to listen to. They are able to do this without losing any details to the sound. But, if you have the Z2s, make sure to give them plenty of space because they don't like to be pushed against the wall too much. More space will allot them so sound more airy. Thanks!
@@saltyolive_ S2 is better!Richer and more natural sounding! Z2's bass can be too much.
@@beslemeto impossible haha.. you need to learn how to position them owned both before. also Z2 is more refined due to the bigger ribbons.
@@saltyolive_ I had them as well.Sold the Z2.S2 is just more musical to me...
Most natural and real voice when compared to all of your videos.
Easy to figure out even from headphones.
Awesome speakers keep up the good work.
Yes this is a one of the most accurately musical bookshelf speaker.
@@TharbamarAppreciate if you can compare with those B&W you have LS 50 and those Wharfees
I'm glad you like these! I use the Quad Z-3 and absolutely love them. Quad doesn't get as much attention as I think it deserves. They really make great stuff.
These are worth every bit of it, I’m glad I had a chance to review them.
Tharbamar @ Are these unforgiving, bad sounding with poor recordings as some people say? 👍
I just wanted to say Thank You my friend. For getting me started in making cables and doing further research on the EMI side to power cables and the EMI to RCAs. I use Mogami as a start, then braid the Mogami with a strand of 3 braided Ethernet wires (for now). Can't tell why as i'm still testing and may patent the final product whenever that may be. :D Anyway man, you are one of the best out there in the audio world. I'm so grateful for educators that do it for free. I'm a professor so I take money. :D Good luck in the future man, I tell as many people interested in audio about your channel. I hope it's helping out.
I’m glad I can help a little, I wish you best of luck for your new cable design, thanks
Thank you for the review. I recently bought a pair of Quad S2's to go with my Marantz NR1200 and SVS SB1000 subwoofer. Incredible setup for movies and music, thanks again recommending the S2s!
I was wondering if they were fit for Home cinema. Do they have good dynamic and do they perform well in Dolby Atmos ?
@@tshaolin971 I use them for music and home theater and they work well for home theater, especially for dialogue because of the clear way they reproduce human voices. My amp is analogue 2.1 so I’m not sure about Dolby Atmos performance.
@@chriswhalley Thank you for your feedback, that's a good thing, voices are the trickiest part in a home cinema !
@@chriswhalley I would think they would excel in a theater application. With the accuracy and non fatiguing way they reproduce the human voice. No hint of harshness or sibilants. I just bought a second pair for my living room system. I have a 5.1 system set up down there but seriously considering going to a 2.1 channel system.
Do they go loud without distortion?
They sound so incredibly clean that we must re - accustom the ear to bear it. When listening to the smack (hit) of the snare it seems false, like, perhaps, much prominence of the ribbon. But when listening to the voice and the punch of the bass drum (of which the ribbon is part), there is no doubt that there is fidelity in this system. Then the instruments in the hallelujah cover confirm it. I'm not talking about the reverb of the voice as the room and the image may be modifying something. Excellent.
I agree totally. The snare sounds fake and fatiguing to me and that is just enough of a deal breaker even though the rest of the frequencies sound damn amazing.
Was considering these but ended up with the much bigger Piega Classic 7.0. The Piega's are fantastic, I recommend you get your hands on one of these beauties since you're on the path of ribbon tweeters, Piega's expertise will shine!
suddenly the background instruments of the usual tracks become more noticeable. i have the quad 12L and they have the best finish in the range. I think they deserve more attention and reviews. now i gotta revisit your 706 s2 demos again.
Its always a treat watching you review a speaker!😬 Especially GOOD ONES!🤗😉😇😎
Thanks! 😃
It's interesting how these speakers are so under the radar. Hardly any reviews
That's funny, that you aired this video today, as I got my Quad S2 delivered today as well. Just listened to a few songs so far, but this is a keeper :)
Were they really a keeper?
@@ld4974 Yes, I did not return them. Still happy about my purchase
@@Tho76mas Thanks. I ask because I often have good impressions of speakers right away but then later want something better. These seem to be the sound I am looking for.
You are the most complete and capable reviewer I have seen in RUclips keep up the good work Ed Esponda México Audiophile Club
First of all, I think you're the best reviewer on RUclips. Secondly, I know the Quad S2 is a few hundred dollars more than the KEF Q350, but how would you compare the two? Are the Quads worth the extra money? Thanks so much.
I've had the Quads for a couple weeks and have put some hours on it. Have watched movies as well as listened to music. In comparison, I used Focal 807Ws to determine strengths, weaknesses, preferences using a Hegel h-160, a SoundArtist SA-200IA and an inexpensive but good performing class D amp.
In a nutshell I suppose, the strengths of the Quad S-2 using any of the amps with varying degrees of SQ according to each amps capabilities, the Quads depict voice and instrument playback with pinpoint accuracy, think 20/10 vision vs 20/20 or so. The Focals have always been more focused in this regard to other sub $1000 speakers but the Quads seem to have more precision in outlining voice and instruments. Probably instrument separation was close as I didn't notice a big difference. Now the accuracy does come at a price, with the Hegel, the Focals are smooth, forward with some depth and dimensionality and are quite euphonic. All of which I like and qualities which draw me into the music. With the Hegel, the Quads were smooth but presented a drier, flatter soundstage. While perhaps more accurate, the presentation was a bit smaller but that flatness was unappealing to me. Perhaps there are audiophiles that prefer this presentation but not me. A previous review alluded to this as well in comparison to mid tier Wharfedales.
Moving to the SoundArtisit, a lower tier class AB amp, the SQ of both speakers were affected to some degree but not enough to prove useless. I would say this amp was not a good match for the Focals as the upper mids and highs stood out more than the bass and lower mids (amp wise) making the Focals too bright and unbalanced (the amp itself should be described this way). I think this particular amp, while refined for the price is too unbalanced across frequencies. However, on the Quads, they added some life, some sparkle they were missing on the Hegel. I wouldn't say they escaped their 2-D soundstage, they just sounded a bit more exciting which they really needed to. I think people may like the Quads a bit better on brighter amps as opposed to darker, but that's my own speculation. Perhaps the Denon accentuates the highs?
Also to note, I found the Quads very enjoyable watching movies with the added clarity enhancing speech, non-musical micro details as well as soundtracks. I won't say they were always better than my Focals, just different as both present fine definition. I might like some things better on the Quads as well as some things better on the Focals. But for speech, the Quads do it very well. So the biggest difference is regarding music playback. I would say the Quads are missing something that brings out one's emotions when listening to music. It could be for me at least, they are too dry and analytical as they seem to fail to draw me into the musical experience. With the Focals, I always seem to just stop what I'm doing as they captivate attention and present a very emotional experience for me. The Focals "may" be less accurate, transparent,. etc., in comparison to the Quads but the Quads are just not as enjoyable to listen to.
Now, on a cheap little class D, the Focals are still a very nice speaker but dynamics suffer the most. So large differences between micro details and larger sounds aren't as great. Probably similar with the Quads but the Quads still sounded good on class D. You are giving up some dynamics and refinement with a cheaper class D but I did prefer it to the SoundArtist at 8X the price. The SoundArtist went back as it wasn't up to expectations but probably typical for its' price point. Still, on class D, I preferred my Focals to the Quads with music even though the Quads provide more refinement with voice and instruments. The Quads just don't draw me into the music. For strictly movies, either is fine but for music, I think the Quads are sensitive to finding the right amp or may be fine for someone who prefers accuracy while accepting a more 2-D soundstage, less excitement, less emotion perhaps?
Also, when I get close, in between my Focals the tweeter/woofer remain very cohesive and it sounds like you are wearing headphones. Some speakers do this, some don't. The Quads don't. It's like there's a bit of a disconnect between drivers. I don't think the Quads would work well in nearfield. Also, the Quads don't disappear int the room as well as the Focals do but they should given they have a smaller woofer...a trait which some say exists.
So, there's a perspective you can take with a few grains of salt. I think the Quads are talented in some things but fail to draw me into a musical experience even though I do like the highly defined quality of how voice and instruments are presented. As one who always preferred a more analytical sound, they are just too much so and kind of boring to me. Fine for movies, really fine but lacking with music only. I guess, there's a coloration or presentation I prefer that makes a speaker sound "musical". I've noticed this quality in other speakers as well. I probably would less prefer a studio monitor although I wouldn't place the Quads in this category.
With a 5 inch woofer, an amp that really grips with strong bass might not be best either. While expensive amps are overkill for the above speakers used, the Hegel and Focals are a great match. The Hegel may be OK with the Quads but with a set of Triangle Zetas I have, the mids get too muddled. The Triangles and the cheap class D are a nice match. Seems speakers with paper woofers like class D amps. I think the Quads do well with either class D or A/B amps with not to high damping factors. It's just for me, they lack some emotional engagement with music.
Lastly, there is no perfect speaker, the Quads are detailed and accurate, a set of Monitor Audios had very nice tonality for piano decay, very natural, the Focals give enough and give up little not being the best in everything but have enough to give me what I need. Can I get "more" of the same with improvements where needed? I think we all try to do that but at some point I guess you accept that what you have is good enough. If the music captivates you, you are on the right track. No perfect speaker, no one way to enjoy music. Happy listening.
Denon PMA-SX11 is neutral with warm side of sound signature, it’s class A bias amplifier with very natural sounding without any brightness even with B&W speakers.
Overall It’s a very musical amp that doesn’t call attention to it self with tremendous bass control and grip regardless of the size of the speakers.
Quick summary is: everything will reproduce naturally like original instruments if the speakers are up to the task.
Quad S2 is stupendously musical pairing with this amplifier, thanks
@@Tharbamar Agree, it's a good speaker, no doubt about it. Just like what I like. We are all lucky to have so much to chose from...albeit a long journey for some.
Sorry arriving in this discussion years later, although I have owned S2s for 4 years now. Your thoughts on the Quads are very interesting and makes me wonder if amps are the issue. I use a Quad Solus, so it's 'in house' for what that's worth (personally I'm not sure much), but for certain it is a superlative match. This system gives maximum musical engagement.....goosebumps, shivers, hairs on the back of the neck...you name it. In that regard, other systems I have run and in some cases still own, just don't compete....not even close. However they do offer scale, bass and dynamics that the little Quads could never hope to. So it does depend on one's priorities, I guess.....
@karlhinchliffe4920 absolutely agree. And tastes change. Kevlar is known to take a long time to break in and perhaps to get accustomed to. The quads were the most transparent speakers I ever had.
If I win the lottery I will buy a house with many rooms and become a speaker pimp.
Thank you Mr Tharbamar for the review. Enjoy all your reviews and I'd like to say you found yourself a hidden gem. Thats right.. so many overrated speakers in the market. the Quads are really under the radar... early this year I walked in the showroom curious as I was looking at Quad S1 for my 2nd setup. sampled both S1 and S2, got blown away by the S2 and i walked out with the piano finished S2. They are now my main setup!! True story. Prior to this mated the Cambridge Audio CXC, Musical Fidelity V90DAC( linear supply),Musical Fidelity A3.5 to the Monitor Audio Silver 4i.
#1 most natural voice, SUPER life like
#2 soundstage not as wide but gives you an intimate feel
#3 if the recording sucks, you don't expect these speakers to sugar coat them
#4 really lovely for classical music and vocals
I will highly recommend these speakers to anyone whom enjoy your music. Its really a almost perfect speaker at this price point!!
What was the biggest difference between S-1 and S-2 outside of low end?
@@nc3419 apart from the low ends, they sounded and looked like using the same ribbon tweeter but overall the representation, sound-stage is much noticeable wider on the S2. The S1 where cute. but the price difference between both in my country of around 10-15% i chose the S2. Plus its sexy piano finish.
But truth to be told, S2 when compared to my older MA sound-stage are a tad narrower like what Mr Tharbamar mentioned not in a bad way but engaging and intimate. I love these but i hope the ribbon tweeter can last me for many years of musical joy :D
@@saltyolive_ I had Monitor Audio Silver 50s previous generation...very wide soundstage, extended beyond speakers. Everything else I've had at or between speakers. Considering Quad S-2 in black walnut or possibly Canton Vento 830.2. Never heard Vento line so it;s a hard choice. Piano finish on Quads look great from the pics.
@@nc3419 I agree. Mine was the Monitor Audio Silver 4i previous generation too.you will find the soundstage abit more narrower. Might need awhile to get used to and also the speaker burn in to loosen. Those Monitor Audios are lovely too arent they. not fussy with amplifiers. but the Quad are a notch up in finesse. i havent tried Canton Vento 830.2 so i can't comment. I think you might want to see your pairing too..!
@JQ I had fare share with many different speakers, to be honest this is the one let me think about how many others in the price range were overpriced for what we get, I'm glad that I have this speaker, thanks
These appear to be a great bookshelf speaker. Appreciate the review. I was unaware of these beautiful speakers.
Just got these 2 days ago. In the uk 600 pounds for these is amazing value for money. Cant believe how good they are. You can literally feel the instruments they are that accurate and transparent. They have a surprising amount of bass weight too for their size. Absolutely zero brightness just pure smooth detail. Seriously good speakers.
You always review the coolest gear. Thanks!
Listen with really good headphones guys even Floorstanders have problems with this Quad series S Standmounders anyway imagine the Quad S series Floorstanders are out of this world wonderful speakers they worth every penny
It looks like these are worth every penny...
However after Your review of Wharfedale Evo 4.2 I decided to buy and test Wharfedale Evo 4.1 and I think they will be staying with me longer..all it means You are testing, giving the verdict.. we are buying and at the end 100% satisfaction! Thank You so much. Its good to have You here.😇
For the money, they are fantastic sounding . Never really looked at Quad but that demo was superb for you tube .
Great demo and explanation .
many thanks tharbamer another great video
i love your honest straight forward reviews .love your channel think i will buy these for my christmas present .happy christmas to you 🙂🙂🙂
Same to you, thanks
No one wants to speak about it. No one wants to review it No one wants to buy it. The Quad S2 finally got their due respect from Mr Tharbamar
I've thought it more than a bit strange how this great little speaker does not get the respect it deserves. It seems pretty much ignored by the vast majority of audiophools.
Dynaudio emit 10 are another set of bookshelf speakers that are excellent in the same price range.
Very musical an authoritative. Yet one never finds any review of those little beasts by experts and audiophiliacs.
The NewsBaaz The KEF LS50 paired with a subwoofer has some of the best results I’ve ever seen. It made me sell my $60,000 loudspeaker and rethink everything I know about loudspeaker systems. Real talk.
@@TheNewsBaaz Yes the Dynaudio emit were on my list with the Wharfedales Evo and the Quads S2. They have excellent dynamic but I found out that the highs are a bit harsh thus fatiguing for long sessions unfortunately.
@@omgwtfpwnd 9
Thanks for review. But for me demo material is slow and lite for testing. It will be interesting to listen Mezzoforte, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Doug Johns, Wojtek Pilichowski, Steve Vai (Modern Primitive), Glenn Hughes..
You are my go-to speaker reviewer, always very engaging.
Which of the less expensive amps would do these 'enough' justice?
Sometimes, paying a little more either is or isn't worth the difference it makes, if you get me.
Appreciate your guidance.
Easy to pair with Marantz PM6007, thanks
Nice review. No one talks about this speaker,. Where does this speaker line up? What speaker is better for a little more money?
Nice punch from the kick drum
Any speaker can sound good with that music. If you can play them with a more busy track will be helpful. Thank you for your videos!!
Music choices are limited for RUclips channel.
well, that amount of bass from small cabinet is another wow factor.
What more impressive is it does not get boomy or bloated.
@@Tharbamar indeed
Nice. I tested the Quad Z3 a year or so ago, really good speaker but at the end I went with the KEF R5's. And speaking of KEF, When are you going to review the KEF R3 speakers..?
What made you pick the Z3 over KEF? I've got the Z3 and I love them
@@polyreviews2558 I picked the KEF R3's. I like the looks more and also that it was a brand new model, also considered future brand support and resale value. The Quads sounded really good though.
This is great content but trust me this compressed youtube video doesn't do these speakers justice.
Good review. If you said ‘good for this price range’ I’m always thinking’s it is relative to other products up to USD1000. If my budget is USD 2000 to be spend on stand mounted speaker is it still a good choice for the performance? Say compare to KEF or B&W
Yes, between QUAD S2 and $2000 speakers is about 10% different in performance, most likely in bass response, hard to beat them in midrange and highs, to be able to see the significant difference in performance you have to go up to carefully selected bookshelf speakers in $4-5k range because some of them in that price range is often overpriced for their performance and quality. Thanks
sound stage is a bit smaller compare to others and you still rate it 5 stars, why ? one or 2 ratings i would like is how much power it needs to play loud, how it sound at loud levels, also if it can play loud, that would be nice to know for us who like it a bit loud
Thanks for all your detailed reviews. For a small 200sqft room, would you recommend the Quad S2 over a KEF LS50 and a Q350? Thanks!
Yes, absolutely.
All in your list is worth considering in each price point, thanks
Great reviews, straight forward with no fluff. I currently have Kef Q350, which is one of your favorites. How much of an upgrade would it be, if I go with Quad S2?
Nice insightful review as always... How do these Quads S2 perform with the 80's music since we know you're a huge fan? Like the evos 4.2? You mentioned that the B&W 706 S2 are not so great with that music...Thanks
It’s great with 80s music and classic rock but Evo 4.2 is better fuller sound quality with great musical dynamics. Thanks
@@Tharbamar Thanks for your input....My room is 247 sq feet..do you think I'll be ok with the quads? Is the room too big for them, should I consider the Evos instead??.. I kinda prefer the Quads sound signature.. Thanks
man, there's a local seller here with a pair for about $1200. So keen to buy, but the timing is just not right :(
I listen to a lot of percussion, metal and rock, how good are these? Punch/slam/impact? Will be pairing them with a good sealed sub. From various sound demos they seem to sound amazing for jazz and pop.
Hi, love the sound of these Quads.
What dac/amp would this pair great with?
Hi, please see video description for more information, thanks
Quad venna 2 is perfect, the quad delivers a clean sound and should be kept that way, the denon is putting out a warm signal into the speakers which is not getting the best sound from the speakers. Try a neutral sounding amp that way it will sound clean.
I wonder how is this compare with quad z1 ??? , The comparison is very interesting because of the biggest Twitter
Dear Tharbama, I was wondering how do the S2's perform when used for low volume listening?
PS.Thanks for the great review and for the accompanying comparison videos. Your content has helped me narrow down my speaker shortlist, I am extremely grateful to you!
Tharbamar @ Are these unforgiving, bad sounding with poor recordings as some people say? 👍
Yes, basically they shred bad source.
Tharbamar, why do you like the Quad S2 over the KEF LS50? You mention that you like it better, but can you expand on what ways it is better than the LS50? I've had LS50's for almost a year and they're great, but I'm curious about the Quads now.
Great review. Would you recommend them for desktop?
the Quad S1s (4" drivers) are really good as desktop speakers according to a lot of perople who own them.
Hello!!!! I just got these (Quad S2s) and have experienced quite a variation in the souñd production if the position is changed. Could you recommend positioning for the S2s ? Thanks again.
I really enjoy your videos.
Start with 24-26 inch tall stand with no toe in and adjust from there base on your listening position. Thanks
@@Tharbamar thanks for your reply. I actually changed the setup entirely. Moved them to the bedroom which is roughly 15'x20' and connected the speaker to my smsl ad18. It's an absolute miracle.
I'm using the same stands that I have. Soundstage, imaging and vocal reproduction is like no other.❤️
I found the S2 a bit fussy about positioning in "my room"'. Mine are on 24" stands and 18" away from the back wall. I have them toed-in just enough to see the inner sides of the speakers from my listening position 12 feet away. I found the mid-range a little recessed and the sound in general lacking focus when firing straight down the room.
A general question. If I go from my present B%W 685 s'2's, to these, what am I gaining or losing? THE spec's are almost a mirror. The sensitivity is better 93 DB ONE watt, one meter.Bowers) versus 87 for these guys. That's a pretty significant hit. Opinions?
I wonder how is this compare with quad z1
Great demo, man. What are those white clips called that are guiding the cables?
Those are cable risers, good for protecting from dust.
Hello. I know it's been 3 years. May I know what good subwoofer you would recommend to pair with these speakers?
Everything in my system is smooth . I think ill stick with the b&w 606 s2 .
Respect to the quads tho . Nice cabinets . Cheers
606 S2 is very good choice, much better in bass and power handling, thanks
SOUNDS IMPRESSIVE. PLEASE MAKE A COMPARISION VIDEO WITH KLIPSCH RP 600.
Everything is better than the Klipsch.
There is no comparison.
OMG that song. That's an old English folk tine.. but beautifully sung.
Another great review TBR!!!Do you hace un mind to review some Dynaudio speakr?Regards from Argentina!!
Will do in the future, thanks
Good afternoon. In the opinion of the channel, what is the best speaker to combine with Rotel Ra 02? Rotel Ra02 performance: Dynamically very advanced amplifier dynamically, running away from soft sounds and rhythms. In practice it is an amplifier to produce screaming sounds. On the bass there is a short, dry beat. Cannot produce extended or elastic beats. It doesn't handle or play well with speakers that produce dry beats. Medium and high open and airy. In the opinion of the channel, which are the recommended speakers for this rotel Ra02? I think the best speakers for this type of amp are the ones that produce elastic and extended bass to dampen the aggressive rotel sound, as well as sweet, smooth and extended mids and highs. Do I think well? I thank the channel fedbaak giving his opinion...
Thinking about buying a pair of Quad ESL 57. Would the S2 sound close to the old Quads?
will these ones take good care of cello!?
I wonder how is this compare with quad z1 ???
I am just testing the Wharfedale EVO 4.2 at home (against Canton Chrono SL 580.2 DC, XTZ 99.25 LCR and Triangle BR03) and can now buy the Quad S2 new for 500 euros. You tested both, which one do you prefer? I listen more vocals, R&B, pop and not much rock and metal, etc.
I would be interested in an opinion between Quad S-2 vs Canton Vento 830.2
Where did you find the S-2 for 500€?
I really don't know what to get between these and Dynaudio Emit 20. Never had a chance listen to both. But as for this review I think learning towards the Quads
Dyns are way better.....
Depends on personal taste. I tested Quadral Rhodium 500, Dynaudio Emit 20, Quad S2 side by side. Ended up with Quads. Besides the fact Emits are great for rock, both Quadral and Dynaudio sounded somewhat plastic compared to Quads.
Hoping visibly lighted front --
Mine are arriving this week!
What do you think of them so far?
I'm very happy with them. His review is spot on. Very detailed, revealing and precise. They sound a LOT clearer and punchier than my previous Q Acoustic 3050i, but obviously with less bass. The bass is still pretty damn good though.
@@jonbonzo9199 Glad you like them. Yes, the bass is very good for a small speaker. Take care.
I wonder how the Quad Z-2 would compare
Apparently better driver integration than S2.
Tharbamar Really? I find that quite surprising as they have a 17cm woofer crossed over at 3.4kHz to the ribbon tweeter. I wonder if the bigger woofer will be comfortable playing at those frequencies.
How does the bass compare to rp600m or Kef LS50? It’s the only element that is making me hesitate. I have a chance to order these from the UK but I wish I could audition these speakers ,but there are no dealers in my area.
You can add bass with sub but not for that killer midrange and vocals but you’ll be surprised by the amount of bass quad S2 produce from small driver and cabinet.
Hi....Cavalry really impressive Bass. Better then LS50 meta.
may be a bit too smooth on string sound for me.
Looking forward to the comparo between the Evo 4.2s since i have both the latter as well as the Quad S5s (FYI, i bought the Evos after watching your review on them.)
I remember you had a pair of LS50s as well. Please include it in the comparo as well.
@@darpanbhuyan1909 how do u find the 4.2?
@@TheSpiritOfTheWest - The Evos have probably set the standard for scale and depth in bass response for standmounters. Its more than some small floorstanders that I've heard. Having said that, it does not pair well with my Marantz Amps. I would say its the combination of a warm amp with a warm speaker which translates into a laidback nature. However, when paired with a Crown XLS1502, its fast enough and the midrange cleans up really well to convey good verve in tracks. I would advise pairing it with something neutral like an audiolab 6000a and the like.
Nobody can beat the British in speakers at any price
Agree in 100%
Nobody can beat the British in anything at any price.
Don't agree!!I'm only talking about making speakers!!
What did you do with your audio rack? I bought mine based on your review.
I'm using them in different room.
Oh, I almost forgot, good review. Can someone point me in the right direction to purchase speakers, thanks.
Hello I love your reviews am planning to buy bowers and wilkins 706 but l need bass... Is it ok for bass
If you want bass I would suggest you to look for tower speakers because small speakers always have the limit, Thanks
The Quad S-2's are fussy about placement, therefore they would not be classified as wide dispersion speakers, right?
Not especially.
I've owned these speakers for a few years and always found them pretty easy to place.
Plenty of dispersion and big soundstage.
How do these Quad S-2's compare to offerings from Philharmonic Audio BMR's or Ascend Acoustics (price not being a factor)?
I value wide soundstage, imaging and driver integration... would you say that the LS50 is better than the S2 for these qualities?
Ribbons have smaller sound stage than dome tweeters, personally I like S2 more than LS50 for stereo image, human voices,accurate midrange, driver integration is comparable.
Agree sound stage is staggering
@@donbovie is this for the Quad S2? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this speaker!
Yes for S2 very accurate speaker which lacks a little on a bass side. Not suitable for a bad source/records. Smaller sweet spot than dome tweeter based speakers but if everything is in order, very very good speaker. Especially for the price.
Have you heard the Z2 and/or the s4 tower. I could get either one for under 1k and debating between the two?
Chris thanks for responding and I almost purchased some s4 but got a steal on some Focal Aria 926, so I got them.
I am trying to downgrading/downsizing from esl63s. I know, I know. Wilson modded ones at that, sold and gone.
Could I be happy with these?
Yes it might and also check out Wharfedale Evo 4.2 as well, which is voiced with ESL speakers.
Wharfedale Denton or these Quads S2? :-) with Naim Uniti 2 ?
Tough choice, I like both of them but if you like best vocals go with Quad S2, thanks
buy this quad s2 or swan d300(ribbon bookshelf active speaker)?please compare
Would these speakers be a good match for the yamaha a-s1100?
Yes it will work great with them.
Every speaker he reviews is musical and best for the price point....
Yes because I picked and choose, not the one that paid me.
for small room, which one isbetter between quad s2 and wharfwdale 85?
Bring on the Klipsch Heresy IV. I can't wait for your take on them?
The details of the mid-highs sounds to me a bit far-back(Is't due the original recordings for the 1st musical track- no vocals.)
Hi! My amplifier is flat sounding. So, do you think it would be a good speaker for me, though I don't like bass.
This should work great with neutral amps.
@@Tharbamar i have Musical fidelity M5si.
I also considering B&W 706 s2, But my amplifier my not match with the speaker.
Yes it will work great with Quad S2.
Where do I buy quad s2 speakers in Canada?
Hi, can you screw them onto a speaker stand?
No screw mount option with these speakers.
@@Tharbamar thanks for responding.
@Tharbamar How would you compare these to the Wharfedale Denton 80th?
What a difference in price. 499€ this week in germany and 1000$ in the Us.
That’s great price in Germany.
Audiolust have a huge discount now on them for a while. With their prices I would even reconsider to get s5
@@donbovie Too bad they are only selling the S-1 now... :/
@@RFerreira2009 too bad, all are nice speakers. But like always sooner or later you can find a good deal
Dude.....I wish I would have seen this like a week ago....before I bought the KEF LS50 because you said it was your long term reference.
You still have one of the best speaker in this price range.
Tharbamar as with anything, I suppose we always have to know that our purchase could be obsolete as soon as we make it.
I would keep the KEF, you made the right choice
Anyone know how these compare to Elac debut reference dbr62?
I have 6000a. How about pairing with it? TIA
I haven’t tried them together to right answer, thanks
How about quad s5 is it quad s2 with big scale?
7Have you tried the Quad 77 11L
I have not.