Auditioning speakers

sans-culotte

sans-culotte

Active Member
I have been sort of looking about for speakers that can really do jazz/classical justice. I have some Large Advents and Klipsch Chorus IIs that can do the rock-and-roll thing to my satisfaction but yeah, I'm looking to try something new.
Tomorrow I am auditioning a pair of Quad 21L speakers (see attached. Ain't that birdseye maple the bee's knees?). I wonder if anyone has heard these and what they thought of them. I've read some reviews on other sights. In general, they seem to be fairly well reviewed. The price I can get them for is way under what they originally listed for. Maybe that's to be expected on used speakers but, these appear to be in mint condition. Cool thing about this is, the guy is actually bringing the speakers to my house for an audition (his wife is apprehensive about the nefarious characters on CL. Well, bless her soul and bully for me, right?).
I also plan on checking out a pair of Snell D speakers. Those I have read a lot of good things about. I have to hear 'em. Thing is, the pair up for sale is an ugly black pair. I wanted this next set of speakers I get to be something the wife would allow to be upstairs in our living room. These things look like the damn monolith out of 2001 A Space Odyssey. I would probably have an urge to blast Strauss's "Thus Spake Zarathustra" and start pounding the floor with a big bone...
So, if anyone has had any experience with either of these speakers and can make some recommendations or give me a heads up or any advice at all, I would be most appreciative. Thanks in advance!
 

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I would imagine the Snell will be better but let is know what you decide, its fun auditioning new gear!
 
I've heard the quad 21L and have family members with the 22L2.

How they sound is highly subjective and personal, but I'll give it a shot anyway. This is in regards to the 22L2 but each of that line sound very similar. For me, they have a very mellow and warm tone. I wish for more sparkle at the top end, they seem a bit rolled off. They also have a mid-bass hump somewhere that may make them seem warmer. I prefer Monitor Audio in that type of speaker. Horns and presence of jazz isn't really there for me on the Quads...but just one guy's opinion.

Surprised that the Klipsch aren't doing it for you on jazz. Perhaps try new placements/amps? I have a set of Heresy III and promptly sold my Martin Logans on the quest for more horn speakers. For me, those things just sound 'right' with things like jazz and other genres I listen to most.


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What are you going to use for power? Brand, wattage, etc.?

If you aren't afraid to go tube, there are a few brands/models out there that sound wonderful with jazz and classical. University is one. The Medallion XII especially. And Wharfedale is another brand to look for, the old ones I mean. A pair of W70's or W90's hooked up to a tube amp/receiver is quite a combination. I happen to like Deodato's funk version of "Also Spracht Zarathustra" myself, and W90's will knock that s**t out of the park and then some. And they VERY-funk-friendly. If you like horn instruments, guitars, Hammond B3's, and that sort of thing, then they are definitely worth a look. Timbre is one of their key strengths.

Or you can head in the other direction and buy a pair of Yamaha 1000's. I know piano/piano-related music is their thing, ALONG with classical.
 
Gang-Twanger said:
What are you going to use for power? Brand, wattage, etc.?

If you aren't afraid to go tube, there are a few brands/models out there that sound wonderful with jazz and classical. University is one. The Medallion XII especially. And Wharfedale is another brand to look for, the old ones I mean. A pair of W70's or W90's hooked up to a tube amp/receiver is quite a combination. I happen to like Deodato's funk version of "Also Spracht Zarathustra" myself, and W90's will knock that s**t out of the park and then some. And they VERY-funk-friendly. If you like horn instruments, guitars, Hammond B3's, and that sort of thing, then they are definitely worth a look. Timbre is one of their key strengths.

Or you can head in the other direction and buy a pair of Yamaha 1000's. I know piano/piano-related music is their thing, ALONG with classical.
Click to expand...

I have a number of different solid states I could try them out on: An Akai AA 1200, a Pioneer SX1080, Luxman R1070, or Harman Kardon 730. I've been really curious about "going tube" but I have absolutely no clue whatsoever about them. I get confused looking at them and reading about them. I would be interested in checking out Wharfedales. Thanks for the recommendation!
 
sans-culotte said:
I have a number of different solid states I could try them out on: An Akai AA 1200, a Pioneer SX1080, Luxman R1070, or Harman Kardon 730. I've been really curious about "going tube" but I have absolutely no clue whatsoever about them. I get confused looking at them and reading about them. I would be interested in checking out Wharfedales. Thanks for the recommendation!
Click to expand...

Regarding tubes, at first the same thing happened to me. By chance a Heathkit SA-2 EL84 Int Amp showed up at a very decent price, so I took the plunge. After that, I started tube rolling, until I found that I really liked the sound using TAD EL84-STR, then I recapped, got even better. Then, I had the luck to receive as a gift a CJ MV75 Power Amp with KT90 tubes, great sound and power, but in all honesty not as nice as the Heathkit, which I regretfully sold on EBay for more than what I paid for. Did I find their sound better than Solid State? Yes! Are there SS out there that can sound as good or better than tubes? Yes! But, IMO, to do better with SS gets really expensive. I also own or have owned Marantz 1060, HK 330B, and a DIY Class D amp that I use as backup. All of them, except the DIY, get close to the sound of tubes, with the HK 330B receiver probably being the best sounding of my SS gear. What I mean is take the plunge into a tube amp, and you will learn along the way; that's the only way you will find out if you like tubes or SS best.
 
If you have space, ie; a man cave or similar, I would strongly suggest setting up a dedicated tube system. It took me over a year, but I got a great deal on a very nice 1960 Scott LK-72 from a fellow AKer. With his advice and guidance, along with others, I recapped it and it's sounding great hooked up to my 1963 KLH Six's.

Good luck on your speaker auditions and possible tube setup down the road.

Glenn
 
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