What's unique about the brand
What reviewers are saying
We read all the reviews. Here's what reviewers feel most strongly about:
- Quad, a British hifi manufacturer with a long history dating back to the 1950s, is renowned for its iconic QUAD II Power Amplifier and ESL electrostatic speaker, maintaining a brand heritage built on exceptional sound quality.
- The brand has a long history of developing electrostatic panel loudspeaker technology, which has influenced the design and sonic qualities of their planar magnetic headphones, aligning with their heritage.
- Quad products are known for offering an exceptional price/performance ratio, often delivering superb sound quality and features that punch far above their price point.
Our favorite reviewer quotes:
- "We fire up alt-J's The Gospel Of John Hurt and are immediately struck by just how spacious the presentation is, with a broad, expansive soundstage that gives the track plenty of room to breathe. Nothing comes across as cluttered or out of place either, with instruments and voices placed expertly across the canvas so that we can track the alternating tap of drums or various vocal lines with absolute precision." (https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/quad-revela-1)
- "The way that acoustic instruments (especially) start and stop through the Quads is also very different and can be quite beautiful once you have got used to it. The texture, rise time, note shape, and pure impact clarity of a piano, for instance, is only enhanced by the ease with which they can swing and control a transient without drama or any detectable squeezing or compressive side-effects." (https://hifiplus.com/articles/quad-esl-2812-electrostatic-loudspeaker)
- "Lemme tell you, one struck high register piano note on a good recording, and even if you're not Billy Joel, you KNOW the S2 is dead-on-balls-accurate tonally. Wood, string and felt in one fell swoop." (https://www.stereotimes.com/post/quad-s2-monitor-loudspeakers)
- "What excels with ERA-1 is actually a combination of multiple factors that as a whole makes them truly special: Crazy speed & impact, tremendous slam, good transparency and depth, great tonal balance without noticeable flaws and very easy to drive especially for an ortho-dynamic headphone." (https://soundnews.net/headphones/full-size/quad-era-1-review-quadruple-fun)
- "The clarity and purity of the sound, the complete coherence of the speakers, the absence of any sense of material drivers, and the image floating in the air between the speakers are the sorts of things that makes one think that audio really can be as beautiful as live music. This reminded me of the end of the Lovejoy episode "No Strings," where one of the characters remarks, after the ancient Celtic harp is played, "Music for the angels indeed."" (https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/quad-2812-electrostatic)
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Products
Lineup comparison
We think it's helpful to understand how their products compare. To learn more about each, scroll to the section above to click through to individual product pages.
Vena II
- Positioning: The entry-level integrated amplifier in Quad's lineup.
- Description: Offers a compact design with a powerful Class AB amplifier, making it ideal for small rooms or those seeking a neat setup. It features a high-quality phono stage for vinyl enthusiasts, which is not available in the more advanced Artera models, providing excellent value for those with a diverse music collection. Its Bluetooth streaming capability and multiple digital inputs make it versatile for modern digital sources, unlike the more traditional QII-Integrated.
QII-Integrated
- Positioning: A mid-range integrated amplifier that combines classic design with modern functionality.
- Description: Features a push-pull KT66 output configuration, delivering a warm, rich sound that appeals to those who appreciate vintage audio aesthetics. Unlike the Vena II, it includes a high-quality built-in phono stage, making it a great choice for vinyl lovers who want a classic tube sound. Its power output is lower than the Artera models.
Artera Solus
- Positioning: A high-end all-in-one system combining a CD player, DAC, pre-amplifier, and power amplifier.
- Description: Features sleek design and comprehensive functionality, integrating a CD player and Bluetooth connectivity, which the QII-Integrated lacks. Uses an ESS ES9018 DAC for superior digital audio performance, making it ideal for users who want a high-quality, all-in-one solution. Its power output and connectivity options surpass those of the Vena II.
Artera Solus Play
- Positioning: The flagship model, adding wireless streaming capabilities to the Artera Solus.
- Description: Enhances the Artera Solus with DTS Play-Fi technology, allowing high-resolution wireless audio streaming, which is not available in the other models. The advanced streaming features and high power output provide a multi-room audio experience with the convenience of wireless connectivity.
Used
QUAD HIFI
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About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
