Quad marks its 79th year with an all-new loudspeaker range: the S Series. Each model combines advanced Kevlar-coned bass/midrange drivers with a specially designed ribbon tweeter. The range comprises two standmount models (S-1 and S-2, above), two floorstanders (S-4 and S-5, below) and a centre speaker for home cinema systems (S-C).
Just 285mm high, the S-1 incorporates a 100mm bass/mid cone, while the larger S-2 has a 125mm bass/mid cone. The two floorstanders sport three-way configurations, coupling a 100mm midrange driver with two 125mm bass drivers in the S-4, and a 125mm midrange driver with two 165mm bass drivers in the S-5. The S-C is a two-way design, incorporating a pair of 100mm bass/mid drivers.
All S Series models utilise a bespoke ribbon treble unit. The ribbon itself is a sandwich construction, making it robust enough to handle high-powered amplifiers, and is fully immersed in a powerful magnetic field so that it accomplishes its dual role of being both the voice coil and the sound radiator. Controlled directivity maintains a consistent response over a wide horizontal arc to cover all listeners, with vertical dispersion tailored to avoid floor and ceiling reflections.
This ribbon tweeter is aligned with Quad’s Kevlar-coned bass and midrange drivers through sophisticated crossover networks. While the standmount models use carefully tuned, rear-firing reflex ports to augment the bass, the floorstanders are unusual in incorporating three ABRs (auxiliary bass radiators) in place of a port. These passive, rear-firing bass units support the main drivers to extend bass response down to 35Hz whilst maintaining an accurate and articulate rendition of instrument fundamentals.
Presented with rounded top edges at the front and rear, each speaker cabinet uses a sandwich construction of alternate layers of MDF and high-density particleboard to reduce panel resonance. Aesthetically, the look is classically Quad yet subtly updated, available initially in a choice of black or sapele mahogany wood veneers. These will be joined in the autumn by hand- lacquered piano white and piano black finish options.
Pricing: S-1: £599.95 per pair S-2: £799.95 per pair S-4: £1299.95 per pair S-5: £1599.95 per pair S-C: £499.95