I wanted to replace my older Pioneer Elite surround system with separates because several people told me that it is a much better way to hear a more accurate reproduction of music. So, I went to a store that sells, Cambridge Audio, Rega, and Naim systems to see what they recommended. truck oil change

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These speakers are attached to a system that consists of :
~Audioquest cv 4 speaker cables in double bi-wire configuration
~Conrad-Johnson MV-55 tube amp
~Conrad-Johnson PV-10a tube preamp
~Pro-Ject 6.1 turntable
~Benz-Micro Silver m/c cartridge
~Rotel 970-BX cd player
~Audioquest Coral interconnects
I bought these speakers used from someone on Audiogon. The previous owner stated that he only had them for a few weeks, and from the condition of them I believe him. I have a feeling that he sold them due to the fact that they didn't sound too good right out of the box, and he didn't realize that they would need to be broken in. When I received them they still sounded like they needed a lot of break in, so I refused to seriously listen to them until I had allowed a cd to play repeatedly for a few days.
Upon returning to my music room I was amazed at the difference in sound. What was originally constrained and closed, was now open and airy. These speakers exhibited all of the attributes that I was seeking, and for less than half the price of new. I have yet to hear a better soundstage from a speaker anywhere near this price, and would happile compare them to speakers costing over twice the retail price.
These speakers reproduce music accurately (a little light in the lower end), and with very litle if any coloration. In combinatin with my C-J tube gear they are sweet and seductive. People who visit my home and have no knowledge of high end audio are always amazed by what they are hearing, and they always notice the soundstage even though they don't know the words to describe it. People who share this hobby are always amazed at the fact that these retailed at about $1800.
I may not have a system that is the last word in music reproduction, but with the equipment I have it is very musically satisfying, and the Quad 22l loudspeakers were the perfect match for my components.

Hi everyone,
First off, to the guy who gave these a "1" rating - you are obviously a troll.
I recently moved to Australia, and one of the first things I needed to do is build a sound system.
I use it about 50-50 for BLU Ray movies ad 50% for Audio.
Since I couldn't move my 500 CD collection here, I brought them as digital copies (as lossless as possible).
I love music and have for the last 20 years. I listen to everything from Classical, through Rock, Pop and Electronic.
I bought a set of 22Ls, 12Ls, and a center for $1200 (used).
My budget wouldn't allow for separates, so I considered Onkyo, Rotel and Arcam (Yamaha is too bright for my ears, Dennon too warm, and Pioneer too punchy). I ended up having to choose between the Arcam AVR350 and the Onkyo TX-SR875. I went with the Onkyo because of the better video performance (and ample power when used in 5.1 with bi-amped fronts).
At first, I was VERY disappointed with the sound of these speakers. I was listening to TV and MP3's played from a laptop. It took me about a month too find all the right parts for the HTPC I wanted to build, and when it was finally tested with a proper source over HDMI, WOW!!!
The reason they sounded so bad is because of the source. These speakers are extremely revealing and transparent. They reveal every flaw in the source or transmission. But when the source is good they are AMAZING. Sound is accurate, dynamic and surprisingly powerful. They stay on pitch at very high volume, and these are modest size speakers. I rediscovered several recordings that I didn't know could sound so good. Granted, they are better with Classical and Jazz like most British designed speakers, but they can carry Pop and electronic very well. Vocals sound amazing - Norah Jones, Sade, Imogen Heap, Chris Martin and Leonard Cohen were practically in the room with me. Instruments also sound amazingly lifelike. My only disappointment was with electrical guitars - not their "forte" (but still not bad).
These babies go down to 20Hz, so I didn't opt for a sub-woofer. Don't need one either - Just saw The Dark Knight today, and boy the are good for movies. Gunshots, explosions and breaking glass are completely realistic, and Dialog is awesome as well - and all of this is just with the Onkyo. What if I had paired them with the Arcam, or separates?
Overall, I've never heard a better speaker for this price.

Summary

Pros:
Good power. Transparent. Dynamic. Good sound-stage for their size. Great bass. Great with vocals and natural instruments. Beautiful finish. Bi-ampable.

Cons:
Electric guitars could sound better. Finish is delicate. Impacted by positioning

Value for money:
Unbeatable.

Wow, I just picked up these speakers from my local audiophile used speaker store. I have owned many types and brands of speakers including Klipsch, Infinity, B&w, Kef, Tyler Acoustic anyways you get the idea. The sound quality is absolutely stunning. If you are in the market for some new sounding speakers hands down for the price these will blow you away.

After YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!! of system switching and swapping I do think I have stumbled on to the perfect match (if thier is such a thing) The quad 22l loudspeaker is OUTSATNDING, When set up right and feed the right amplification it is capable of just about anything.I tried these speakers with SEVERAL amps both integrated and seperates, with medium power british amps they sounded so so (naim nait, Rega, Cyrus) The sound was quick and speedy but not the deepest (which I know these things are capable of doing). When I plugged in my trusty 1964 fisher tube receiver it was a whole new ball game..The soundstage was as close to 3-D as anything I have ever heard inluding some MUCH more expansive set-ups...The mid range was to die for and thier was REAL BASS..When I hit the loudnes boost it became fuller and downright AMAZING!!!..As it turned out the next day my Beloved Marantz 2325 was finished with its yearly check up...after a few minutes of set up, I flipped the switch and let her rip, at first I could not stop laughing it sounded sooooooo good I was almost delerious..It was the best of both worlds the botom end was ROCK solid and the mid range very enticing (not as lush as the fisher ) It was the perfect match...It made the competion look downright stupid.Being a MUSIC LOVER first and and audiophile second I LOVE the features on the Marantz and Fisher..These items were made when quality counted.It is a fact that to enjoy great 2 channel audio you DO NOT need to take out a second on youre home...Yeah Sure the new 400 pound all chrome $7000 amps look cool , but they have as much personality as a wet mop..and do not sound much better if at all. My advice if you can get these speakers DO IT NOW....They TRULY do give speakers 3 times as much a run for the money..pair them with some quality vintage stuff maybe a higher powered receiver from the seventies which already comes with a killer phono stage (marantz,fisher,luxman ,mcintosh) and you are in audio music bliss. add a couple quality sources cd player, turntable? (rega,cambridge, marantz, nad) and you are done. Final thought these speakers sound good with ALL types of music from Motorhead to Mingus..it ALWAYS makes me smile...

Just received these speakers, they are the 22L2 version.
I previously owned Monitor Audio Silver RS8 towers.
RS8's are decent speakers but you I think you need room for them to perform correctly. Also I thought they were kind of bright and somewhat forward. I was fatigued after a few hours of listening to them.
The Quad 22L2 speaker is the best speaker I have encountered so far. I consider it a neutral sounding speaker. Not to forward and has a natural sound. Great stereo imaging and a wide sound stage. It has great bass and perfect treble. I have been listening with my stereo in Direct Mode without the sub woofer and it sound excellent.
I have about 5 hours on the speaker and I expect it to get even better as the speaker gets broken in.
Listened to Parliament Live and Earth Wind and Fire "Gratitude" CD, both live recordings which I know like the back of my hand and they now sound renewed. I hear small sounds I have never heard before.
I also replaced power cord on the CD player and AVR which could have a small effect on the sound.

Extremely revealing with big, spacious sound stage ("holographic") and as engaging and dynamic as horn-loaded Heresies. Neutral and uncolored (unlike Heresies). Though detailed, not the least bit clinical or "dry" and suitable for solid state amps (unlike Heresies). Capable of playing loud (like Heresies). Fairly small footprint. Gorgeous with deep gloss piano finish!

Reports indicate these speakers must break in for at least 75 hours and perhaps for as long as 200 hours. I can so far testify to the dramatic changes that occur during the first 20 hours.

This is a review of the Quad 22L2, the second generation of the Quad 22L,which I was extremely lucky (in hindsight) to purchase used for the price I got them at. Prior to purchasing, I was unfamiliar with the speaker and only scarcely familiar with the company, a leading British audio manufacturer. I was looking for something to replace my beloved Klipsch Heresies, and I chose these based on some stellar reviews.

Out of the box, the Quads worried me a little. They were clear and somewhat engaging, but they lacked the easy dynamism of the Heresies and seemed to require a lot of power. Furthermore, they sounded a little boomy in my 25' square listening area. I soon learned, however, that though listed as used, these Quads were not broken in yet. They were essentially brand new. After five hours, I noticed some surprising changes in the sound; little details in the music I hadn't noticed before were starting to come through. And the boomines was subsiding. After 20 hours (right now) they are bordering on unbelievable. They are now as dynamic as my Heresies, but far, far more transparent ("holographic" is appropriate), and without any of the boxy coloration that the Heresies give the music. Before break in, the mid-range on these speakers was recessed, but it is blooming now, and holy man! I've never heard speakers like this before. I've never even auditioned speakers this good, not even the Viennas I listened to at Magnolias were this viscerally exciting. I have them bi-ampilified with Adcom 535 and 545 amps. They like the power, but they could certainly get by with less. I am following the manufacturer's recommendation by positioning them exactly 350 millimeters from the wall. The boominess is completely gone now, and the base is deep and tight. I still use a Def Tech subwoofer, but I have the crossover set almost as low as it goes.

Similar Products Used:

Mission 761s, Paradigm Phantoms, Boston Acoustic VRM60s, Acoustic Research P428PSs, Klipsh Heresies.

full range sound, excellent detail depth and pesence, superb finish

need space to be herd at their best

Having owned copious amounts of speaker from well respected manufacturers I came across these 22l's. Once going through the whole demo session I decided to purchase.
After hooking up to my belovid primare a10 and marantz cd6000 and putting on of my favourite discs I was simply amazed by the sound these speakers could produce. The amount of presence and detail is excellent and as for the bottom end well I will never need a sub. Even at low volumes they excel, the only thing is I wouldn't recommend this in small rooms as the bass could overwhelm, but i guess that depend on your furnishings. Dont hook up cheap electronics because they demand quality and deserve it.

Similar Products Used:

b&w 601,602,603,cdm1,cdm1nt, cdm7, monitor audio silver 5i, rs1, rs6, polk audio,quad 12l,bose am5, castle harlechs, kef iq3

Very accurate tiembre and transient response, flat,flat,flat response without dips. Anything acoustic just sounds very real. This speaker gets my vote for grand piano and guitar.

bass dynamics limited in large room, smaller room recommended. Port air noise audible due to grid in port.Colorations by poor electronics becomes more noticable, room placement very touchy, need to be quite a ways away from walls or vocals sound too plump. 1 ft min. 2 to 3 ft. ideal.

I spent about a year auditioning different speakers in the under $2000 range before deciding on these, including Martin Logan Montage, Vandersteen 2Ce and 2C signature, Thiel CS1.6, Wharfedale, Polk, and Vienna Acoustics. I kept going back to listen to the Quad L series because they were the most neutral sounding and seemed voiced very similar to their big brother electostats than any other dynamic cone speakers I have heard. High end is articulate and fast like the Martin Logan’s. Even though the Quad's are dome tweeters, they sound more like ribbons with much fine detail and no dercernable coloration. The woven Kevlar drivers are very fast and tight, with creamy warm midrange and vocals that will melt seamlessly with the high end. The stereo image is much better that I had anticipated in a floor stander. Sound stage is 3 dimensional. Transient response the best attribute, bongo's and wood blocks seem to hang in the air! Bass response is very accurate and best in it's class of everything I tested except for the Vandersteen's which had gobs more deep bass, but the mids sounded muddier. Let's be real, the Quad 22L's do well for twin 6.5 inchers, but I am going to add the Quad 12" sub later. Port noise can be quite anoying with very low frequencies like pipe organ notes at loud volumes.

Similar Products Used:

Kef C-95's, Speakerlab, Altec

Imaging, soundstage, mids, highs....LOWS.....a killer speaker! Better than my $3000.00 Whafedale Opus 2's!

long breakin, due to carbon woofers...but well worth it!

From the first look, you would say that the Quad 22l's are just like any other 2-3 way loudspeaker. As a matter of fact they look a lot like the Wharfedale 9.6's. another IAG company line. The finish is absolutely gogeous, mine came in birdseye maple. Gobs of lacquer finishing is applied. stunning for good looks. But, a pretty package does not good music make. So, knowing the break-in is around 200 hours I fired these speakers up right away....why not, they suck I'll just sell em on ebay. Jaw dropping sound is to polite a word......right out of the box.....HUGE soundstage, dynamic sound...my room filled....clean tight bass....and LOW!!!! clean tight bass. WOW! factor of ten....after breakin....you can "see" the performers on stage.....Wonderful speaker. Let the breakin go in a little deeper to allow the voicing to come thru...M

Similar Products Used:

Soloiloquy 6.2i Whafedale Opus 2 Legacy focus 20/20