Quad 21Ls?

[humanflyz]

Has anyone heard these before? I ask because there's an used stereo store that has these in stock, and I've looked at them, and they are in pretty good condition, and the price isn't bad either. I've read some reviews on AudioReviews and GoodSound, and the impressions seem to be pretty positive.

 

[Zorander]

If you have heard the Senn HD-650, you have a good idea how the Quad 21L sounds. Not as much low bass extension (or even hump) as the HD-650, but from there upwards, they behave the same, including the balanced frequency response and smoothness.

Regards.

 

[humanflyz]

Ah, that's a good analogy, now I have an idea of what they sound like? But do they share the veil as well?

 

[Zorander]

I don't personally think there is a veil with the Senns (and I own Grados for comparison) so that is something you will have to determine on your own.

On the amp front, I like the Quads being driven by fast amps. NAD classic amps (C320BEE, C350 & C370, all of which I have heard) make terrible, boring parings with the L-series speakers. Rotel and Cyrus amps will work great with the Quad. I have also heard them paired with the Roksan Kandy and the higher-up Caspian amps. These aggressive-sounding amps, while not really a virtue I like for an amp, worked so superbly with the Quad I see the reason why WHF mag likes them so much.

Cheers!


Edit:
For comparison sake, I own the 12L and pair it with a Cyrus 8 amp. This combo IMHO sounds more euphonic/musical/more fluid (you get the idea) than anything my own headphone rig can conjure up.
[size=xx-small]Sometimes I wonder why I am wasting money on headphones when I still prefer my original stereo setup[/size]

 

[humanflyz]

Thanks for your impressions Zorander. I am just beginning to get into speakers, but there are waaayy more manufacturers/brands of speakers than headphones, so I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

 

[Zorander]

It's best to Audition whenever you can. Bring your own CDs, spend as much time as you can listening to various setups and focus on the one setup that you like better than the rest.

Others' opinions (people and magazines) are irrelevant to what your own ears perceive so it is always best to form your own. I may like the Quads (and any of the amps I suggested) but the same may not necessarily apply to you.

Regards.

 

[Duggeh]

The Quad 21L is a loudspeaker that against all reason sounds even better than it looks, and it looks simply beautiful. They are great value for money and a great investment, because Quad gear holds its value so well. My recommendation would be to pair them with a matching Quad amp. Ive heard them with the 909 and the 405-2 and in both cases they were just smashing. Far far in better than the Mission M33 I personally use.

And that piano gloss finish, just, so, so beautiful.

 

[humanflyz]

I was trying to pick up a pair on the cheap on ebay, but the sniping in the last 30 seconds got way too much for me. Oh well, there's always next time.