Quad S-2

I have heard the S and Z series and eventually settled on the Z1s. It's not going to be a popular because it is not an exciting speaker. It's the type of speaker that you probably won't bring home if you only spend 10-20 minutes auditioning, but the choice would be clear if you really take your time to listen to all of the details and dynamics. It's also one of the more analytical speakers, and at that price point, most people would go for accentuated bass and highs, or focused vocals. But yeah, if people took the time to listen, they will find Quad speakers to be very revealing and satisfying.

My youtube vid review of the Quad Z1s https://youtu.be/kEca-2rjLik

A lot of people are just fed up with Chinese made products of any kind due to poor quality control there, so might be hesitant to buy Chinese Quads. Chinese companies are notorious for buying up well known name brands and running their products into the ground that way. I have been burned enough times on Chinese products, not audio yet, that I am very leery of anything from there, and avoid anything made there like the plague. It makes buying stuff tough, as it seems they make just about everything and anything over there at present.

I am looking for speakers now and will be exploring where each and every one is manufactured, considering Chinese made to be a black mark. Nothing to do with being patriotic. I really loved the early Quad electrostatics and always wanted a pair. Sadly since they’re Chinese made that will never happen.for me now. That’s not to say your Quads aren’t great and won’t last forever, just pointing out the trend and reputation of Chinese goods across the board.

Mike

Stereophile praised them, and if one wants to spend time browsing around European, including the UK audio reviews, admiration is abundant.

I have the s2 on my shortlist, along with dynaudio x18, b&w 706 or used nautilus 805.  

Guys we sell both the Quad S series and the Z series, we also sell Dali, Kef and many others. 

We feel that the Quads both the S series and the Z series offer extraordinary sound quality for the money.  The Quad designed ribbon tweeter is both smooth and yet has fantastic detail. 

The Quads throw a huge sound stage and have suprisingly deep bass for the size of the cabinets.

 The Z1 has an even larger sound stage and an even cleaner midrange 

If Abrasia says the Quads aren't exciting, I think he means that they don't have that type of etteched in your face kind of detail that some people may find to be exciting, the top end of the Quad's strikes a perfect balance  of detail with listenablity. 

Personally he haven't found a competitive speaker in this price point  which can rival them, we are awaiting the new Kef R 3 monitors which will make a fascinating comparison between these two loudspeakers.

For the record both the S series and the Z series are highly rated and have won loudspeaker of the year in the UK. 

As per distribution Mofi distribution is slowly putting out more dealers as more people become aware how remarkably good the Quads are.

Most of today's value oriented loudspeakers B&W, KEF, Golden Ear, Dali, and many others starter models other than things like the B&W 800 or KEF Reference series are made in the companies own factories in China. 

Quad is owned by IAG a very large Chinesse company who owns many audio brands, they are very vertically oriented and they make their own drivers, cabinets, crossovers, even the binding posts and mounting plates are made in house, the quality of the product is top notch.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Quad dealer