Quad 21L vs. 22L2 Sonic differences?

I owned a pair of 22L2's for about a year or so. Had them paired with a few different amps, first a musical fidelity a308i integrated, then a sunfire multi-channel, then a musical fidelity A5 and then finally a Rogue Audio Stereo 90 tube amp. General concensus through the whole trial run was they're detailed and can be a bit bright/unforgiving with a resolving digital front end. I wouldn't categorize their response as flat. They have a mid band dip from what I've read online, which may/may not have contributed to the brightness/lack of midrange.

That said, they're a sub $1k (used) pair of speakers so you get what you get. They have a great finish to them and are honestly very nice for what they are. I upgraded to a pair of speakers costing 4x the price, so a comparison between the two isn't fair. With the right gear/setup and to the right individual, I could see where the 22L2's could be fantastic.

I'd be interested to hear what other A'gon'rs think would best the Quads in their used price range (sub-$1000). My experience on my home systems is pretty limited (monitor audio and B&W), and I have only auditioned 2 other pairs of floor standers to the same extent as the Quads. What other 2.5 way floor standers in this used price range could give the Quads some competition?

Sorry, as I chimed in already, but if you're running solid state, and for the money, the quads are hard to beat under $1k. Vandersteen keeps coming up often in comparison but I'm not sure they can hold up in the lower registers compared to the 22L2's.

You might want to save up a little more and consider the Devore Gibbons. If you're considering used prices, they're reasonable. Very nice speaker, very efficient with tube gear if that's your amp choice and they're a step up from the quads all the way around aside from low end slam.

Thnx Mb, will research/try-to-audition the Devore's. Have heard of them before. My current floor standers will not be my last...and to address the OP's subject, I think 22L2 2.5-way is a much better bet than 21L 2-way, sure its more expensive, but the 21Ls are rare, there is a pair of Lanemart 22L2's on sale right now, and if you buy them, you'll be happier with your speakers longer.

The 21Ls are rare cause people who bought them, won't sell them. I have been holding on to them since 2005. When I went to audition the Halo A21, I heard Totems, PSBs, etc, but none of them compared to the Quad.
Tonight I got my manual back from the attic, just to go through the manufacturer's recommendation for speaker positioning. I simply fall in love with the music they make!!