New to the Cheltenham branch, the QUAD Z1 stand mount loudspeaker. The new QUAD Z1 utilises the latest generation of their ribbon high frequency drive unit.

Designed using a unique sandwich formation the new tweeter retains the delicate sound associated with conventional ribbon tweeters but is also exceptionally robust, offers very high power handling, high sensitivity and increased dynamics allowing it to seamlessly integrate with the bass/mid drive unit.

The ribbon tweeter is paired with a woven Kevlar bass/mid drive unit. This utilises a unique double roll surround especially designed to control the edge break up of the cone. This allows the drive unit to offer exceptional bass performance but also gives smoothness and transparency in the mid frequencies. This allows it to seamlessly integrate with the ribbon tweeter.

The drive units are housed in a beautifully curved bass reflex cabinet with high gloss one piece wrap around veneer. The 4 high quality gold plated binding posts allow for single or bi-amplifier connection.

Listening:
We paired the QUAD Z1 with a Rega Elex-R and streamed from an Innuos Zen Mini hard drive (FLAC) via a Sonos connect and Rega DAC. Firstly we played 'Lontano Mystery' from Pacific Coast Highway by Christopher Franke (Tangerine Dream). The QUAD's gave an exceptional level of detail and clarity with no hint of harshness at the top end. The sense of space in the mid-range and top end was excellent and the integration with the bass was seamless. Playing 'Just a little loving' by Shelby Lynne showed how well the vocals are portrayed, every nuance of her vocals where apparent giving a truly life like performance. We the put the bass performance though it paces by playing 'And the Druids Turn to Stone' by Ayreon' The extension to the bass was outstanding for a speaker of such a compact cabinet. Integration between the bass and midrange was excellent and the speakers never appeared to struggle with the quantity of bass even at extended levels.

These truly are an outstanding compact loudspeaker for the money. If a high quality compact monitor loudspeaker is on your list, I cannot recommend the QUAD Z1 highly enough.

Specifications:

Enclosure Type Bass Reflex

Bass Driver 150mm Woven Kevlar

Tweeter 90mm x 12mm True Ribbon

Sensitivity 86dB

Power Handling 40 - 150W

Peak SPL 102dB

Frequency Response (+/- 3 dB) 56Hz - 20kHz

Dimensions 283mm Depth x 219mm Width x 383mm Height

Available in High Gloss Piano Black, High Gloss Piano White and High Gloss Piano Rosewood.

Available at the Cheltenham branch for demonstration.

QUAD Hi-Fi products are also available from the following branches of Audio T:
Brentwood, Brighton, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Enfield, Manchester, Oxford, Preston, Southampton,
Swindon