Just got a pair of Quad S2's partly due to your reviews.I have a fairly small room and your reviews indicated that they would be a good solution and they certainly are.The highlight for me so far with my short time with them is the airiness where you can pinpoint exactly where separate instruments are in the soundstage. Anyone looking for great sound in a small room should definitely check them out.
Tx on review! I am owner of Quad s2, and I love them. Great bass reproduction, amazing voice and guitar reproduction. One of best speakers I've heard so far!
It's a great shoot-out of two quality speakers (although I haven't heard the Meta's yet I lived with the original LS50's for 6 years). I have a personal preference for the Quads by some margin, more natural and easier on the ear, also easier to live with in terms of system matching and positioning.
To each their own. KEFs will easy find buyers for their 'flow", spaciousness, fullness - then Quads come up with texture, detail, separation - just listen to drums, they tell everything.
You are very right about the drum 'telling you everything'. I specifically listened for that, and while I realize it IS only a youtube video, the difference is astonishing. Not even close (even though I know the LS50 is good in person/ in real life use).
I have the quads paired with a bluesound powernode. They are brilliant speakers with a detailed presentation, great soundstage, brilliant tonality of musical instruments including bass guitar, drums, pianos and guitars. They are not fatiguing at all. I also recently bought the KEF WIRLESS II and these match up to the KEFs in almost all departments but the volume and beat them in tonality and soundstage to my ears. For rock and metal sort of music however my KEF Q series towers and smoother and preferable to me,
The best tweeter I've heard is the RAAL ribbon. The Quad is close. I demo'd LS50 Meta's at home and they're great. Very alive sounding. But, a true ribbon is amazing in it's ability to have so much air without being harsh or bright. Some people hear cheap AMT tweeters and think it's a ribbon and it is not. AMT's can be good, but a true ribbon well implemented is a special sound that is hard to beat.
Definitely agree with ribbon sound, monitor audio pl200 has a very nice natural treble, and fast but airy like real. Bad recordings sound really bad, compared to standard domes, good recordings sound lovely.
@@takeiteasy6154 I know what you're saying regarding poor recordings, and revealing speakers. That can thin out what is considered acceptable in a music collection. Sometimes it's obvious that instruments were recorded in different rooms, then stuck together in a way that doesn't blend realistically. The instruments can sound.disconnected. Despite, I like knowing that a system is capable of revealing this. I find it interesting, and somewhat reassuring.
@@gimig91 Hi, I've earned the Kef Lsx and the slight brightness of the metal dome pointed out by Tharbamar is not to underestimate, it's fatiguing and aggresive for the ears after maybe 2 hours of listening. When I say analytical I mean that they have been scientifically designed to digitaly mimic sounds with their stiff metallic based speakers, that's why they have more attack. So you have an artificial robotic sound signature that is perfect for mathematicaly computed electronic music of low complexity but you don't really feel emotions with human organic, analogic, acoustic musics that have rich tones and hamonics. On the other hand Quads are musical and neutral, they are not colored, they vibrates with natural thanks to their flexible materials used for the speakers.
Interesting. It's like this video was made just for me, I have some S2's and was wondering if the LS50 Meta would be a worthy upgrade but it seems they have all the faults that drove me away from speakers of their type - brightness and aggression that sound great in the shop but drives you mad after a week at home. So thanks for saving me some money! If you'd like a quick review of the Quad S2's, I have had mine for two years and listen to them every day and they sounds as good and pleasing as they did when I bought them. No stress, no brightness and the most realistic piano you ever heard (this means everything else is right as far as I'm concerned, pianos are so hard to reproduce). The only thing you have to bear in mind is that the Quads need a few weeks running in. Seriously good little speakers.
The way you describe the sound of the S2s make me realise that is exactly what I'm looking for! May I beg to know what amplifier you drove the S2s with?
I have S-2s paired with a oldie-but-goodie Quad 909 amp playing through a Belles Aria preamp...it sounds glorious. Non-fatiguing, wide soundstage, locked-in center image, wonderful grip and air....plays much bigger than you'd expect. It's been a while since I've heard the LS50, but I remember it sounding etched and bright to my ears. Again, it's been a while, but the impression stuck. Not feeling that at all with my Quads. In fact, they're the first box speaker I've owned in years (after several OBs and omnis) that I can imagine keeping for a long time. Very happy.
I don't quite understand why would people talk about the dome harshness here - The stiffened dome in LS50 / LS50 Meta has a first break-up point over 30k Hz! There are no harshness from them. Meanwhile although the S2 sounds a bit more coloured and pleasing to my ear, there is a little bit of mid range suck out there.
I think the issue with the brightness on the original KEF LS50's is the resonance in the chamber that's formed in the gap between the tweeter and midrange. This issue was fixed in the 12th generation UNI-Q.
From these samples, I would agree. The Quads have a coherency and overall “musicality” that gives it the edge for me. I wouldn’t call it “easy listening” Michael described - I would say just more true to the recording. The KEFs “leading edge, decay and resolution” sounded a wee bit harsh to me. Also, the KEF’s bass seemed sloppier, even if being more pronounced. It would be interesting to hear the larger/floorstanders in the S series.
thank you so much for doing what you do... I do get a good sense which one I would buy by listening to your audio clips. They are NOT exact replication, BUT i can get a sense which one I would prefer more. For example, i already have a speaker that sounds like Quad S2 (love it!), and so I would go for KEF Meta, bcoz, both are good in its own ways. Thank you Tharbamar!
I have owned the original LS50 and the S2. Neither speaker was for me. They just don’t reproduce enough bass in a medium sized room to realistically recreate the intended sound. For me anyway. I would agree with the comments on the merits of each speaker. Great video as always.
They were really designed for small rooms but my Quad S2's sounded so much better with a REL subwoofer, not a top of the range one but the cheapest, just fills it out and warms the sound up. A major upgrade.
I'm playing these at home through a pair of 1970's Mordaunt Short festival 2 speakers, so I can only hear what my speakers at home can do, just like anyone else listening at home. The funny thing is this, I was reading and I only looked up easch time the Quad speakers were playing 'I'm enjoying this bit I'll look at the screen... (Quads playing again).
Thks for the review & sound demo. Quad S2 sounds more detailed & dynamic and I prefer it over the KEFs. Could I suggest using nearfield mics so as to remove the room coloration?
excellent reviews with description that is right on based on the sample clips. since i use for personal listening mostly during work, i am deciding to go with the quad
The piano and the electro guitar sounds better on the Quad but interesting enough i found the vocal better to my liking on the Kef. Quads vocals felt a little sucked out by comparision. At least that's how I hear with my focal clear headphones. Thank you for the video @Tharbamar
I have not heard the Quads but I would pick them because I found the KEFs were slightly grating. I am sure Thabamar is on the money when he suggests coupling it with a warmer sounding amp.
To me the KEF sounded slightly forward on some of those vocals/guitar. The drums sounded nice and clean. The quads arguably more relaxed, with seemingly more treble and bass extension. Perhaps a little too much treble. You get more of the attack of the cymbal strike but the KEF seems to have better body to the rest of the cymbal sound.
@@davidnewboult6887 Yes and I paid that with shipping included and the ones I got were the piano white version which is usually 100€ more expensive than the normal finishes.
Quad for me as well. It seems to have a fuller natural sound. The Kef's are lacking in detail and sound a bit thinner on instruments. It would be interesting to hear the Kef's with gear a bit more warmer or the same gear, dialing in on the bass and treble. I think you really need to own a variety of signature pieces, when attempting to decide on speakers in your setup There are certain speakers that have a build that makes them just a great all around speaker. I cant say this for the Quads, but, they are the winner with this setup.
It would be interesting to hear your opinion of the KEF's with a different amplifier. I heard them with a Roger's tube amplifier a couple of weeks ago and they sounded really good. Much bigger sound than one expects. I really like them. Can't wait to hear the new LS50 wireless II.
great speakers Thanks to you, I got to know them better and bought a pair. I made a few demos on my channel, I highly recommend it. I wish you a day full of music with my love.
I own ls 50 , but I prefer quad speakers lots of detail tone coming from below 300 Hz that I never heard b4 more real life , wharfedale speakers they sound the same as the quad that's what my 👂 told me
Its interesting.. a lot of folk appear to prefer the Quads and indeed they are very good but there’s so much more fine detail and nuance in the KEF’s. That and for me at least the Quads make her sound like she is suffering from a head cold.. nice though they are they wouldn’t be for me.. I will nail my colours to the mast though and declare I have got the metas currently but am considering moving to Neat Iota Alphas or Explorers.. I currently use the metas with a Rega Elicit R and my only complaint of the KEF’s are they are a hard load to drive and the Elicit is working hard if you want to go LOUD!
I'm only listening to this on (decent) headphones, but why do the Quads sound so good? This is the first time I've heard comparable class speaker where the Metas clearly come out second best. They sound too "sweet", where the Quads have a real "natural" clarity to them. And the Metas seem really "narrow". I can't feel any depth of soundstage when I close my eyes and listen, but with the Quads, I can vividly picture the placement of the instruments.
S2s are quite special. They produce a 360 degree holographic soundstage that is hard to believe comes out of a £600 set of speakers. Also they like more power than less
The quads sound similar to the ATC SCM11s I own, much more clearer than the LS50s. But on the other hand, the LS50s sound fuller-which I prefer. The SCM11s pair well with class D amps and produce more bass IMHO. I would try different amps with the quads for a little bit of more bass. Also, you need lots of power to make the LS50s sound nice, when I drive them using 150wpc amps vs 70wpc amps, the difference is night and day.
wow. all the Quad loves. I immediately thought the KEFs sounded better. more focused. more alive. interesting because I also prefer the EVO 4.2's over the Quads ... hmm maybe I need better headphones
I like the Kefs better as I am waiting for them to be delivered and am terribly biased. I would like the Kef stands but at £400 its a piss-take in my book... keep well everyone
From what I heard, KEF LS 50 meta seem the drums became the main point, other sounds like is been buried below the drums, if you listen too long it will get tiring because it seem just drums sound all the time, and QUAD S2, is more balancing, especially for human voice, more solid. KEF LS50 very good for dance music, but for musical ... QUAD S2 is better.
Hi Tharbamar! I've been watching religiously your review and sound demo videos for a long time now (with the majority of them in the 'old' room). I hate to tell you but this new room sounds soooo...lifeless! Not sure if it's the room layout, or just the location of your recording equipment in it. Either way, unfortunately there is NO COMPARISON bet. the two rooms. Take for example Grace Mahya and the way she sounds on the Quads. The soundstage and her voice sound just amazing in the 'old' room, and yet indifferent in the new room. Same goes for the LS50s, they sound just as boring and lifeless! With all the echoing going on in the 'old' room, it sounded pretty good actually, in retrospect. Are the microphones too far from the speakers now?
Always interesting how there's no standardised pricing. In Australia, the Quad S-2's are $900AUD cheaper than KEF LS50 Meta and $1300AUD cheaper than the Wharfedale Linton's.
I have the Quad Z2's and love them, before that I had a pair of Quad 12L2 which I was also impressed by. I've been considering the Kef LS50's for a second bedroom system, though I'm still undecided.
I find both quite bright. The KEFs are really impressive, open sounding, forward. The Quads are as bright as the Ls50s, but I perceive their sound a little resonant, but nothing too damaging to the overall presentation. But the brightness is too much for me, on both cases. With some EQing, both speakers would satisfy my taste. Without some high shelving cut, though, not anymore.
i used to sell Hi end Hi-Fi hundreds of years ago back in the 80's - I had some Kef Reference 2 or 3's - the biggest one they did in Rosewood - the Kef 'sound' has changed somewhat - its more towards Acoustic Energy/Gale - Monitor Audio with its involving sound - whereas the Quads have left their dusty old ESL's behind and sound warm and inviting and you don't have to be sat down to enjoy them - however that might get a bit dull and boring after a while - interestingly I noticed Wharfedale - plagued by financial issues and lo rent when I used to sell them - the Active Diamond - truly legendary at the time - saved them and in recent years they have become all grown up in their price range - but can they match the competition sonically I wonder? True story - I had a friend who loved the Gale 301's and paired them with a Musical fidelity 2k amp - he melted the solder in the crossovers in the Gale's to the point where components fell out!!!!
I have quite a bright amplifier with really great detail and super tight bass control. So, I am after bookshelf speakers which can reign in the harse treble. It appears the Quad may fit the bill.
Great review, as always. I wonder--maybe you already mentioned it--has the Quad S2 replaced the B&W 706 S2 as your reference speaker? If not, which one do you prefer more now? As a viewer, it seems to me like you prefer the Quad.
No Sir, I have all the speakers and using them base on my mode. Right now LS50 Meta is serving as my wife’s TV speakers and today I listen to Wharfedale D225 in my music den. Thanks
Quads are more open in this combo.. But there is something artificial whit quads sound... I can not tell what but it feels not 100%corecct... But a crazy audiofil like me never get satisfied almost.. Its better to enjoy music instead of chasing details.. The best is to compare these speakers in your own home and electronic.. Thanks for the the session🙏
I was in for buying the S2 at my local resaler but after close inspection I thought the tweeter was broken. No he said, there just isn't that much that it does. He unplugged the mains and plugged them into the tweeters alone, and it was like a little mumble, soft sound, hardly any impact. I was very surprised the tweeter produced so little sound. He clearly recommended me the ls50. I bought them. However in this video I like the separation of instruments on the quads Edit: the dynamics of the drummer sounds more natural on the quad and the seperation of instruments and 'vertical soundstaging' is better. It sounds more real, I feel I would really enjoy listening to them after listening to the longer review video; I am going to revisit the quads! It sounds like LS50 has more mids, but actually sometimes I feel I miss some details, (they are lost there in the background in my ls50 system, like background guitars or cymbals or singers are too soft to be heard, which are details I really miss) while the quads seem to give room for them to be heard. Yes I will take another look at the quads!
I always get amused by people comments on reviews like this. How many that say hands down S2 is better or vice versa, I really would love to know if they have ever listened to both in their home audio system to be actually able to say one is better than the other. I have never listened to the QUAD S2 myself, so I can’t say it’s better or worst than LS50 Meta. But I do own the LS50 Meta and when played on nice system with pair of dual SVS SB3000 subwoofers to give you the kind of bass no bookshelf speaker can ever give you, is Sublime. I can sit back and close my eyes and here parts of the music that sound like they are on my left or right about a foot or two away, is amazing. To here music that sounds like it’s coming from my rear surround speakers when I’m playing two channel stereo is something I have never experienced before until I got the LS50 Meta. I’m sure the Quad S2 is and awesome speaker, but so is the LS50 Meta, you get imaging like nothing I have ever heard before until now.
Eric, also getting the LS50 Meta and am running a single SVS SB3000 subwoofer, with a very powerful Classe power amp, and I am switching to a pure tube Primaluna preamp and thinking this set up is going to sound insanely good. The speakers should be arriving in a few days! So glad your very similar gear is sounding so good to you!
I have had both at home. Both great speakers so for me it came down to how well they integrate with the look and feel of my home and therefore I kept the quads. They sound different but I wouldn’t say one is better than the other.
Another great review! Which would you recommend for near field like a PC gaming and music setup? I have an SVS SB2000 subwoofer, Topping D90 dac and Avantone CLA200 a/b studio amplifier, too. Seems like the LS50 might work better in my case.
Thank you for a great review, Tharbamar! I like the Quad's a little more natural, balanced sound. Please consider 'Fyne Audio F500' bookshelf speaker on the comparison list if you ever make another video. Plus, I think these speakers will sound great too with integrated amplifier; Rega Elicit-R, Cambridge Audio CXA81, Quad Artera Solus.
Humm, you would think the Kef would absolutely crush the Quads based on Steve Guttenberg's stellar review of the new Kef meta. Not so much as the comments also suggest!🤪🤪🤯🤯🧐🥴 I wonder who's advice I think is more credible! 🤭😉😇 By the way, I have a JBL 590 Home Theater set up and absolutely love that persons recommendation!😝 That speaker makes these speakers sound like toys. I personally don't understand the whole stand mount speaker thing considering the stand mounts with stands take up just as much room as a full range floor model.🤪 And with stands cost sometimes even more!🤯 PS: That room even with treatment is far from ideal to my ears which ofcourse isn't his fault!😇
I was also thinking of Guttenberg's review of LS50 meta. He's a charismatic guy but seems to offer only very positive reviews on his channel (with very few exceptions). He seems very much the sales guy (although he's no longer selling equipment).
Gutemberg likes 'fun' speakers with 'energy' and 'drive' (Klipsch, JBL, etc). So of course he likes the new LS50. (I also do, sometimes, when I'm in the mood) Quads are 'accurate', 'clean' 'sweet' and a joy to listen to.
They are both very close. But I like the quad better because they are more balanced and the piano and voice sound more natural too me.
Just got a pair of Quad S2's partly due to your reviews.I have a fairly small room and your reviews indicated that they would be a good solution and they certainly are.The highlight for me so far with my short time with them is the airiness where you can pinpoint exactly where separate instruments are in the soundstage. Anyone looking for great sound in a small room should definitely check them out.
I use mine in a medium sized room and they fill the room easily.
What application do you have with your Quads?
How is the bass? Does it sound steady? Or thin?
Tx on review! I am owner of Quad s2, and I love them. Great bass reproduction, amazing voice and guitar reproduction. One of best speakers I've heard so far!
Not only the voice but the cymbals also sound more complex with the ribbon tweeter. I wish B&W would adopt this technology for their speakers.
One of the better reviewers of hi end audio.
QUAD for me !! Open & airing with precised sound.
Just got the Quad S1 and could not be happier! All I need now is a sub.
Good Choice.
There's very few speakers that can outperform the Metas, IMO, but the Quads do in this comparison
I own the S2's, great speaker. The ribbon tweeter is amazing.
The Quads by far. They are smoother, better balanced, and more natural sounding. The KEFs make me jumpy and anxious even on this TH-cam video.
This has to be a troll.
@@skipacuff5104 🤣
Quads for sure. More dynamic, & refined sounding. Smooth treble is a winner!
I love Kef speakers but the Quads sound more natural
Listen to the Quads in another location, and you’ll prefer the KEFs.
Listening on my headphones, I prefer the Quads, the KEF are ‘denser’! But both are good for a bookshelf speaker.
It's a great shoot-out of two quality speakers (although I haven't heard the Meta's yet I lived with the original LS50's for 6 years). I have a personal preference for the Quads by some margin, more natural and easier on the ear, also easier to live with in terms of system matching and positioning.
The Quads are much more lively, and a very clear winner for me too.
To each their own. KEFs will easy find buyers for their 'flow", spaciousness, fullness - then Quads come up with texture, detail, separation - just listen to drums, they tell everything.
You are very right about the drum 'telling you everything'. I specifically listened for that, and while I realize it IS only a youtube video, the difference is astonishing. Not even close (even though I know the LS50 is good in person/ in real life use).
I have the quads paired with a bluesound powernode. They are brilliant speakers with a detailed presentation, great soundstage, brilliant tonality of musical instruments including bass guitar, drums, pianos and guitars. They are not fatiguing at all. I also recently bought the KEF WIRLESS II and these match up to the KEFs in almost all departments but the volume and beat them in tonality and soundstage to my ears. For rock and metal sort of music however my KEF Q series towers and smoother and preferable to me,
The best tweeter I've heard is the RAAL ribbon. The Quad is close. I demo'd LS50 Meta's at home and they're great. Very alive sounding. But, a true ribbon is amazing in it's ability to have so much air without being harsh or bright. Some people hear cheap AMT tweeters and think it's a ribbon and it is not. AMT's can be good, but a true ribbon well implemented is a special sound that is hard to beat.
Definitely agree with ribbon sound, monitor audio pl200 has a very nice natural treble, and fast but airy like real. Bad recordings sound really bad, compared to standard domes, good recordings sound lovely.
@@takeiteasy6154 I know what you're saying regarding poor recordings, and revealing speakers. That can thin out what is considered acceptable in a music collection. Sometimes it's obvious that instruments were recorded in different rooms, then stuck together in a way that doesn't blend realistically. The instruments can sound.disconnected. Despite, I like knowing that a system is capable of revealing this. I find it interesting, and somewhat reassuring.
Quads are way more open than the KEFs! Also piano sounds so real in Quads than KEFs.. 🙌
Great explanations ! The ls 50 meta are analytical they produce a rational sound, the Quad s2 are musical they produce an emotional sound.
@@gimig91 Hi, I've earned the Kef Lsx and the slight brightness of the metal dome pointed out by Tharbamar is not to underestimate, it's fatiguing and aggresive for the ears after maybe 2 hours of listening.
When I say analytical I mean that they have been scientifically designed to digitaly mimic sounds with their stiff metallic based speakers, that's why they have more attack. So you have an artificial robotic sound signature that is perfect for mathematicaly computed electronic music of low complexity but you don't really feel emotions with human organic, analogic, acoustic musics that have rich tones and hamonics. On the other hand Quads are musical and neutral, they are not colored, they vibrates with natural thanks to their flexible materials used for the speakers.
@@tshaolin971 I call bullshit. You remind me of a theologist explaining the preferences of an imaginary deity.
This makes sense to me. There’s a romance to warmer or maybe colored sounding speakers but the KEFs makes a good monitor.
Interesting. It's like this video was made just for me, I have some S2's and was wondering if the LS50 Meta would be a worthy upgrade but it seems they have all the faults that drove me away from speakers of their type - brightness and aggression that sound great in the shop but drives you mad after a week at home. So thanks for saving me some money!
If you'd like a quick review of the Quad S2's, I have had mine for two years and listen to them every day and they sounds as good and pleasing as they did when I bought them. No stress, no brightness and the most realistic piano you ever heard (this means everything else is right as far as I'm concerned, pianos are so hard to reproduce). The only thing you have to bear in mind is that the Quads need a few weeks running in. Seriously good little speakers.
Amplifier?
The way you describe the sound of the S2s make me realise that is exactly what I'm looking for! May I beg to know what amplifier you drove the S2s with?
really nice review, ultimately it will depend on the system but over TH-cam its easily the Quad's for me.
I have S-2s paired with a oldie-but-goodie Quad 909 amp playing through a Belles Aria preamp...it sounds glorious. Non-fatiguing, wide soundstage, locked-in center image, wonderful grip and air....plays much bigger than you'd expect. It's been a while since I've heard the LS50, but I remember it sounding etched and bright to my ears. Again, it's been a while, but the impression stuck. Not feeling that at all with my Quads. In fact, they're the first box speaker I've owned in years (after several OBs and omnis) that I can imagine keeping for a long time. Very happy.
I’m looking forward to a Kef R3 meta shootout with Quad Revela 1.
And a shootout between Quad Revela 2 and Kef Ref 3
I don't quite understand why would people talk about the dome harshness here - The stiffened dome in LS50 / LS50 Meta has a first break-up point over 30k Hz! There are no harshness from them. Meanwhile although the S2 sounds a bit more coloured and pleasing to my ear, there is a little bit of mid range suck out there.
I think the issue with the brightness on the original KEF LS50's is the resonance in the chamber that's formed in the gap between the tweeter and midrange. This issue was fixed in the 12th generation UNI-Q.
I know it's TH-cam but the Quads hands down for me.
Much more natural indeed
I hate the KEF uni-q. They are lacking in the vocal range, never have liked them. iby default the Quad wins
same impression here
@@djfirestormx they lack in the vocal range? 🧐 I think the opposite
From these samples, I would agree. The Quads have a coherency and overall “musicality” that gives it the edge for me. I wouldn’t call it “easy listening” Michael described - I would say just more true to the recording. The KEFs “leading edge, decay and resolution” sounded a wee bit harsh to me. Also, the KEF’s bass seemed sloppier, even if being more pronounced. It would be interesting to hear the larger/floorstanders in the S series.
I think i like Meta sound more 👍
It's more lively and musically 😁
thank you so much for doing what you do... I do get a good sense which one I would buy by listening to your audio clips. They are NOT exact replication, BUT i can get a sense which one I would prefer more. For example, i already have a speaker that sounds like Quad S2 (love it!), and so I would go for KEF Meta, bcoz, both are good in its own ways. Thank you Tharbamar!
I have owned the original LS50 and the S2. Neither speaker was for me. They just don’t reproduce enough bass in a medium sized room to realistically recreate the intended sound. For me anyway. I would agree with the comments on the merits of each speaker. Great video as always.
They were really designed for small rooms but my Quad S2's sounded so much better with a REL subwoofer, not a top of the range one but the cheapest, just fills it out and warms the sound up. A major upgrade.
We’re you really expecting to get bass extension out of such small drivers?
I'm playing these at home through a pair of 1970's Mordaunt Short festival 2 speakers, so I can only hear what my speakers at home can do, just like anyone else listening at home.
The funny thing is this, I was reading and I only looked up easch time the Quad speakers were playing 'I'm enjoying this bit I'll look at the screen... (Quads playing again).
I am happy with my MS 35TS, but Quad is tempting.
Seems quads are nicer I think before commenting we need to play more and different tracks.
Thks for the review & sound demo. Quad S2 sounds more detailed & dynamic and I prefer it over the KEFs. Could I suggest using nearfield mics so as to remove the room coloration?
They are both great sounding, but for me the Kef is my choice. Sounds more detailed and layered!
excellent reviews with description that is right on based on the sample clips. since i use for personal listening mostly during work, i am deciding to go with the quad
didn't hear them in person but the Quads S2 sound much better to me.
Thank you and good morning from Singapore..
To be frank I personally love the quat
The piano and the electro guitar sounds better on the Quad but interesting enough i found the vocal better to my liking on the Kef. Quads vocals felt a little sucked out by comparision. At least that's how I hear with my focal clear headphones. Thank you for the video @Tharbamar
Quads for me. Beautiful room too!
I like the looks of the quad better. They both sound good, it's hard to pick between them.
quad all the way
Quad S2 is the best! Kef is always for Rock n Roll!
Quads for the win!!!
Winner - Quad. Cleaner, more musical voice.
I have not heard the Quads but I would pick them because I found the KEFs were slightly grating. I am sure Thabamar is on the money when he suggests coupling it with a warmer sounding amp.
I own the Quads - the tweeters sound great for the price. Haven't heard the KEFs but I think they're harder to drive than the Quads.
The BEST, Quad, for me.
Definitely S2 for me.
Thanks for the comparison!
To me the KEF sounded slightly forward on some of those vocals/guitar. The drums sounded nice and clean.
The quads arguably more relaxed, with seemingly more treble and bass extension. Perhaps a little too much treble. You get more of the attack of the cymbal strike but the KEF seems to have better body to the rest of the cymbal sound.
I'm so glad I got the S2 and to think I only paid 499€ brand new for them, what a steal.
That was a steal, in the uk £599 at present.
@@davidnewboult6887 Yes and I paid that with shipping included and the ones I got were the piano white version which is usually 100€ more expensive than the normal finishes.
@@RFerreira2009 what a steal, do you mind to share where to get this deal ?
@@daweihk88 It was a German store, they had a huge discount on the S1 and S2, but they're sold out now.
Quad for me as well. It seems to have a fuller natural sound. The Kef's are lacking in detail and sound a bit thinner on instruments. It would be interesting to hear the Kef's with gear a bit more warmer or the same gear, dialing in on the bass and treble. I think you really need to own a variety of signature pieces, when attempting to decide on speakers in your setup There are certain speakers that have a build that makes them just a great all around speaker. I cant say this for the Quads, but, they are the winner with this setup.
These comparisons are great....keep it up. Best reviewer on TH-cam for me 👍
great review first clas love the room anmd the music. u just nail it on the head
thank u sir
That was an awesome comparrssion great job ! Thank you
It would be interesting to hear your opinion of the KEF's with a different amplifier. I heard them with a Roger's tube amplifier a couple of weeks ago and they sounded really good. Much bigger sound than one expects. I really like them. Can't wait to hear the new LS50 wireless II.
Its just me or cymbal sound reversed on both. Quad on the left side and meta on the right side.
great speakers Thanks to you, I got to know them better and bought a pair. I made a few demos on my channel, I highly recommend it. I wish you a day full of music with my love.
Symbols are like in the room with the S2.
Great review. Remember that floorstanders take the same space and actually have bass.
I own ls 50 , but I prefer quad speakers lots of detail tone coming from below 300 Hz that I never heard b4 more real life , wharfedale speakers they sound the same as the quad that's what my 👂 told me
Quad S2 any day for me...
Its interesting.. a lot of folk appear to prefer the Quads and indeed they are very good but there’s so much more fine detail and nuance in the KEF’s. That and for me at least the Quads make her sound like she is suffering from a head cold.. nice though they are they wouldn’t be for me.. I will nail my colours to the mast though and declare I have got the metas currently but am considering moving to Neat Iota Alphas or Explorers.. I currently use the metas with a Rega Elicit R and my only complaint of the KEF’s are they are a hard load to drive and the Elicit is working hard if you want to go LOUD!
I'm only listening to this on (decent) headphones, but why do the Quads sound so good? This is the first time I've heard comparable class speaker where the Metas clearly come out second best. They sound too "sweet", where the Quads have a real "natural" clarity to them. And the Metas seem really "narrow". I can't feel any depth of soundstage when I close my eyes and listen, but with the Quads, I can vividly picture the placement of the instruments.
I think the quads sound a little boxy , It’s hard to tell on TH-cam but I believe I can hear the cabinet
Quads all the way
S2s are quite special. They produce a 360 degree holographic soundstage that is hard to believe comes out of a £600 set of speakers. Also they like more power than less
Yes, they are truly mavelous small speakers.
The add a more impressive and wider soundstage than the KEF's IMO.
The quads sound similar to the ATC SCM11s I own, much more clearer than the LS50s. But on the other hand, the LS50s sound fuller-which I prefer. The SCM11s pair well with class D amps and produce more bass IMHO. I would try different amps with the quads for a little bit of more bass. Also, you need lots of power to make the LS50s sound nice, when I drive them using 150wpc amps vs 70wpc amps, the difference is night and day.
quad s2 are clearly more natural sounding but missing bass, bass quality and attack/dynamics..
so i guess i dont like either
Lol you are picky, the Quad s2 are less agressive for the ears.
Great review love your new setup.
wow. all the Quad loves. I immediately thought the KEFs sounded better. more focused. more alive. interesting because I also prefer the EVO 4.2's over the Quads ... hmm maybe I need better headphones
I like the Kefs better as I am waiting for them to be delivered and am terribly biased. I would like the Kef stands but at £400 its a piss-take in my book... keep well everyone
Quad S2 sounds better. Listening from Yamaha A-S1200 + Quad Z2. :)
You Lucky bloke😁🤑
From what I heard, KEF LS 50 meta seem the drums became the main point, other sounds like is been buried below the drums, if you listen too long it will get tiring because it seem just drums sound all the time, and QUAD S2, is more balancing, especially for human voice, more solid.
KEF LS50 very good for dance music, but for musical ... QUAD S2 is better.
QUAD spacious and balance and warmer sound
CREEK EVOLUTION 100A and QUAD S2 the best marriage
i thought the voice sounded much fuller on the quads , KEF little more up front sounding, relax with the QUAD or party with the KEF Hmmm
Kef’s are better with Hegel or Arcam amp. When I play my own recorded music with vocals, they sound just like what I recorded.
Please remember I never said they have bad sound. I have my experience with Hegel, do you have experience with PMA-SX11 Class A bias amplifier? thanks
Hi Tharbamar! I've been watching religiously your review and sound demo videos for a long time now (with the majority of them in the 'old' room).
I hate to tell you but this new room sounds soooo...lifeless! Not sure if it's the room layout, or just the location of your recording equipment in it.
Either way, unfortunately there is NO COMPARISON bet. the two rooms.
Take for example Grace Mahya and the way she sounds on the Quads. The soundstage and her voice sound just amazing in the 'old' room, and yet indifferent in the new room.
Same goes for the LS50s, they sound just as boring and lifeless! With all the echoing going on in the 'old' room, it sounded pretty good actually, in retrospect.
Are the microphones too far from the speakers now?
I fully agree. I also noticed that something wrong with the acoustic of the new room. Anyhow, great video like always! Good job, keep going!
Clear Quad
The bass note are more refined
S-2 is Same price as Wharfedale - Linton 85th I wonder how they compare to each other’s
Always interesting how there's no standardised pricing. In Australia, the Quad S-2's are $900AUD cheaper than KEF LS50 Meta and $1300AUD cheaper than the Wharfedale Linton's.
Here in Korea, Quad S-2 is almost a half price of Linton 85th...
@@user-oo1bn6uu5u thank you 🙏🏻
I have the Quad Z2's and love them, before that I had a pair of Quad 12L2 which I was also impressed by. I've been considering the Kef LS50's for a second bedroom system, though I'm still undecided.
Did you get the LS50's in the end? If so, how do they compare to the Z2's?
I Just bought s2's used for about 400$ cant wait to hear them :)
Where did you buy them for that price, Sebastian? Can you pls help me?
The drums are more pronounced with the S2’s, I really like their sound.
I find both quite bright. The KEFs are really impressive, open sounding, forward. The Quads are as bright as the Ls50s, but I perceive their sound a little resonant, but nothing too damaging to the overall presentation. But the brightness is too much for me, on both cases. With some EQing, both speakers would satisfy my taste. Without some high shelving cut, though, not anymore.
It strikes me that the Quad Z series speakers are rarely reviewed
They are not that good that's why! They just look sexy that's it...
i used to sell Hi end Hi-Fi hundreds of years ago back in the 80's - I had some Kef Reference 2 or 3's - the biggest one they did in Rosewood - the Kef 'sound' has changed somewhat - its more towards Acoustic Energy/Gale - Monitor Audio with its involving sound - whereas the Quads have left their dusty old ESL's behind and sound warm and inviting and you don't have to be sat down to enjoy them - however that might get a bit dull and boring after a while - interestingly I noticed Wharfedale - plagued by financial issues and lo rent when I used to sell them - the Active Diamond - truly legendary at the time - saved them and in recent years they have become all grown up in their price range - but can they match the competition sonically I wonder? True story - I had a friend who loved the Gale 301's and paired them with a Musical fidelity 2k amp - he melted the solder in the crossovers in the Gale's to the point where components fell out!!!!
I like stories like this, thank you for sharing.
I have quite a bright amplifier with really great detail and super tight bass control. So, I am after bookshelf speakers which can reign in the harse treble. It appears the Quad may fit the bill.
Great review, as always. I wonder--maybe you already mentioned it--has the Quad S2 replaced the B&W 706 S2 as your reference speaker? If not, which one do you prefer more now? As a viewer, it seems to me like you prefer the Quad.
No Sir, I have all the speakers and using them base on my mode. Right now LS50 Meta is serving as my wife’s TV speakers and today I listen to Wharfedale D225 in my music den. Thanks
@@TharbamarDo you still prefer the D225 over the Quad S2?
If so, what do you like more about the Wharfedales?
@@MadLadsAnonymous Sorry I no longer use either speakers. Thank you.
Where did you buy your component/TV stand? Look great and been looking for one just like it. Awesome video as usual
It’s antique piece I got from a friend, thanks
Clear winner is Quad S2. Waiting for LS50 wireless 2 review.
Your not the only one waiting for the wireless review 😊
Quads are more open in this combo.. But there is something artificial whit quads sound... I can not tell what but it feels not 100%corecct... But a crazy audiofil like me never get satisfied almost.. Its better to enjoy music instead of chasing details.. The best is to compare these speakers in your own home and electronic.. Thanks for the the session🙏
I was in for buying the S2 at my local resaler but after close inspection I thought the tweeter was broken. No he said, there just isn't that much that it does. He unplugged the mains and plugged them into the tweeters alone, and it was like a little mumble, soft sound, hardly any impact. I was very surprised the tweeter produced so little sound. He clearly recommended me the ls50. I bought them.
However in this video I like the separation of instruments on the quads
Edit: the dynamics of the drummer sounds more natural on the quad and the seperation of instruments and 'vertical soundstaging' is better. It sounds more real, I feel I would really enjoy listening to them after listening to the longer review video; I am going to revisit the quads! It sounds like LS50 has more mids, but actually sometimes I feel I miss some details, (they are lost there in the background in my ls50 system, like background guitars or cymbals or singers are too soft to be heard, which are details I really miss) while the quads seem to give room for them to be heard. Yes I will take another look at the quads!
i do live sound with coaxial speakers. what i found that you never listen on axes. always 30 to 50 degree off axis. then it becomes sweet to the ear.
Quad kicks KEF ass pretty well in this.
I always get amused by people comments on reviews like this. How many that say hands down S2 is better or vice versa, I really would love to know if they have ever listened to both in their home audio system to be actually able to say one is better than the other. I have never listened to the QUAD S2 myself, so I can’t say it’s better or worst than LS50 Meta. But I do own the LS50 Meta and when played on nice system with pair of dual SVS SB3000 subwoofers to give you the kind of bass no bookshelf speaker can ever give you, is Sublime. I can sit back and close my eyes and here parts of the music that sound like they are on my left or right about a foot or two away, is amazing. To here music that sounds like it’s coming from my rear surround speakers when I’m playing two channel stereo is something I have never experienced before until I got the LS50 Meta. I’m sure the Quad S2 is and awesome speaker, but so is the LS50 Meta, you get imaging like nothing I have ever heard before until now.
Eric, also getting the LS50 Meta and am running a single SVS SB3000 subwoofer, with a very powerful Classe power amp, and I am switching to a pure tube Primaluna preamp and thinking this set up is going to sound insanely good. The speakers should be arriving in a few days! So glad your very similar gear is sounding so good to you!
@@anthonywunderlich3681 Your going to love them, let me know what you think of them
I have had both at home. Both great speakers so for me it came down to how well they integrate with the look and feel of my home and therefore I kept the quads. They sound different but I wouldn’t say one is better than the other.
Another great review! Which would you recommend for near field like a PC gaming and music setup? I have an SVS SB2000 subwoofer, Topping D90 dac and Avantone CLA200 a/b studio amplifier, too. Seems like the LS50 might work better in my case.
s2 percussion sounds better
Kef's have less sound separation. I prefer that sound. A little crisper.
Thank you for a great review, Tharbamar! I like the Quad's a little more natural, balanced sound.
Please consider 'Fyne Audio F500' bookshelf speaker on the comparison list if you ever make another video.
Plus, I think these speakers will sound great too with integrated amplifier; Rega Elicit-R, Cambridge Audio CXA81, Quad Artera Solus.
There are times when the LS50 guitar sounds a little unreal and even painful there at the end. Is that the experience in real life?
Humm, you would think the Kef would absolutely crush the Quads based on Steve Guttenberg's stellar review of the new Kef meta. Not so much as the comments also suggest!🤪🤪🤯🤯🧐🥴 I wonder who's advice I think is more credible! 🤭😉😇 By the way, I have a JBL 590 Home Theater set up and absolutely love that persons recommendation!😝 That speaker makes these speakers sound like toys. I personally don't understand the whole stand mount speaker thing considering the stand mounts with stands take up just as much room as a full range floor model.🤪 And with stands cost sometimes even more!🤯 PS: That room even with treatment is far from ideal to my ears which ofcourse isn't his fault!😇
I was also thinking of Guttenberg's review of LS50 meta. He's a charismatic guy but seems to offer only very positive reviews on his channel (with very few exceptions). He seems very much the sales guy (although he's no longer selling equipment).
Gutemberg likes 'fun' speakers with 'energy' and 'drive' (Klipsch, JBL, etc). So of course he likes the new LS50. (I also do, sometimes, when I'm in the mood) Quads are 'accurate', 'clean' 'sweet' and a joy to listen to.