Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Quad 21L Speakers by Bacchman

Model:	21L
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$1300./pr.
Description:	2-way floorstanding speaker.
Manufacturer URL:	Quad
Model Picture:	View

Review by Bacchman ( A ) on August 20, 2004 at 08:09:57
IP Address: 65.6.177.119

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for the 21L

I read some professional reviews on this product and thought, "wow, that sounds like the speaker for me"! So I found a 10/10 condition used pair for about $850 in the piano gloss birdseye maple. First comment is that the fit and finish on these speakers is way beyond anything else I've seen in speakers at this price range, they look really expensive and eveyone comments on how beautiful they are. Then I hooked them up and was very dissappointed. I was comming off a pair of Konus Audio Essences, which are the best speakers for small spaces on the planet (see review). However, the Konuses don't do well with inferior recordings, so I wanted something more forgiving that could also do better in the much larger space I was moving to. My Quads were dealer demos that I found out hadn't really been broken in yet, so I decided to give them a chance. To make a long story short, these puppies need a good amount of break-in and are critical to placement. They like to be as far apart from each other as your space will allow (mine are 9 or 10 feet) and fairly toed-in. Also, get them away from the back wall to avoid boominess (at least 36"). Once broken-in and set-up right, I fell in love. These speakers are very easy to listen to and very forgiving, but do not lack detail. However, if you are looking for hyper-deatiled monitors, look elsewhere. These are fabulous every day, real-world speakers that are just an absolute joy to listen to. Everything sounds great, not just perfect recordings. Their soundstaging is spectacular in every direction with an incredible sense of air and realism. Faults? They can be a bit chesty and euphonically exaggerated at times, but I'll take that over analytical anyday. NO speaker I have heard for under $3000 comes close. I have owned speakers up to $10,000 and these play in those leagues. Through in the furniture grade fit and finish and you have a screaming bargain. How does Quad do it? These are made in China. If that bothers your ego, get over it beacuse as I've said, the quality on these is beyond reproach at this price point. If these were made in Britain, they'd surely cost three times as much or more. Almost forgot the best part, off-axis listeng is among the best I've ever heard. Lov'em!

Product Weakness: None really.
Product Strengths: Stellar soundstaging, sweet and easy to listen to. Sound like "real" Quads, but without the drawbacks. VALUE!

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Unison Research SR-1
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Bel Canto DAC-1.1
Speakers:	Quad 21L
Cables/Interconnects:	Nordost Blue Heaven
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	all
Room Size (LxWxH):	18 x 30 x 10
Time Period/Length of Audition:	one month
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None really.
Product Strengths:	Stellar soundstaging, sweet and easy to listen to. Sound like "real" Quads, but without the drawbacks. VALUE!