Oh my where to start.
Hard to imagine more different speakers that the Dynaudio X12's, Quad 11L Classic's and the Epos M5's.
The Epos M5's have the characterstic Epos midrange and hot top end. They are unabashedly bright on top and not as well balanced as their big brothers the M12 (not to be mistaken for the M5i or M12i which were gawd awful speakers). The Epos midrange as I hear it is wide open and a bit threadbare. Lots of detail but without much of the harmonic richness to give all of that detail real meaning to my ears. Still a fun listen as the openness of the speaker can reveal information that you may not have heard before.
The Quads are about the opposite. Well balanced tonally but with a bit of a dark overall character. Detail is there but it sneaks up on you as it isn't immediately noticeable. This is not an overtly detailed speaker. Some folks call it a bit slow or boring...usually folks who have heard the previous two versions. The Classics are actually quite good at every type of music. If you like a lively speaker (read bright) this is not the speaker for you. If you prefer a detailed speaker with a warmer overall character the Quad's just may be the ticket.
The X12's by comparison are the best balanced. Far less bright than the Epos but more lively than the Quads. The Quads go a little lower on the bass and not as extended on the top. I love the balance of the X12's but don't find myself wanting to sell the Quads at present either. Not much info for ya but hey if you have any more specific questions feel free to ask.
hi Art,
thanks for your comment, it is a long time after your reply for my question, i have trouble with my internet connection, and has a lot of work, now already free to continue my hobby interest.
i was selling my epos m5, and want to buy a speaker to replace my epos. i have two system, for home audio and HT,
Home Audio : dyn x12, Nad 326bee, arcam cd72.
HT : yamaha rxv 467, Oppo 83, HTPC, speaker???
so for the future setting for HT i plan to buy quad 12l classic, my room is about 4 x 4 m, there is some question for you, please give advise for me, because in my area, i cant make home audition.
1. which one is more suitable for my room space 11l or 12l? from the spec the low frek for both speaker is same, so i think weather to choose 12l or 11l will not sound boomy to my room, but 12l has a better scale than 11l, and for some reviewed from 12l and 11l old product, 12l has a better sound overall.
2. you said that the quad was a bit darker sound presentation, so is it good for home cinema system?
3. i found my old epos m5 is very easy to drive with yamaha rxv467, and my dyn need more power rather than epos, how would you compared the quad with the dyn x12, which one is easier to drive?
Regards,
Richard