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.

One of the better reviewers of hi end audio.

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!

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

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.

These comparisons are great....keep it up. Best reviewer on KZread for me 👍

That was an awesome comparrssion great job ! Thank you

I own the S2's, great speaker. The ribbon tweeter is amazing.

great review first clas love the room anmd the music. u just nail it on the head thank u sir

Great review love your new setup.

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!

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.

@hclandscapes

2 жыл бұрын

I use mine in a medium sized room and they fill the room easily. What application do you have with your Quads?

@elise10lies84

8 ай бұрын

How is the bass? Does it sound steady? Or thin?

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.

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.

@Tharbamar

3 жыл бұрын

Good Choice.

Quads for sure. More dynamic, & refined sounding. Smooth treble is a winner!

Thank you and good morning from Singapore.. To be frank I personally love the quat

Definitely S2 for me. Thanks for the comparison!

really nice review, ultimately it will depend on the system but over KZread its easily the Quad's for me.

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.

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,

Quads for me. Beautiful room too!

Listening on my headphones, I prefer the Quads, the KEF are ‘denser’! But both are good for a bookshelf speaker.

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.

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

There's very few speakers that can outperform the Metas, IMO, but the Quads do in this comparison

I like the looks of the quad better. They both sound good, it's hard to pick between them.

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?

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.

@gawdcaek

3 жыл бұрын

Did you get the LS50's in the end? If so, how do they compare to the Z2's?

Great review. Remember that floorstanders take the same space and actually have bass.

I love Kef speakers but the Quads sound more natural

@macallanvintage

3 жыл бұрын

Listen to the Quads in another location, and you’ll prefer the KEFs.

Quads are way more open than the KEFs! Also piano sounds so real in Quads than KEFs.. 🙌

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.

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 Quads by far. They are smoother, better balanced, and more natural sounding. The KEFs make me jumpy and anxious even on this KZread video.

@skipacuff5104

3 жыл бұрын

This has to be a troll.

@hclandscapes

2 жыл бұрын

@@skipacuff5104 🤣

Great explanations ! The ls 50 meta are analytical they produce a rational sound, the Quad s2 are musical they produce an emotional sound.

@tshaolin971

3 жыл бұрын

@@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.

@skipacuff5104

3 жыл бұрын

@@tshaolin971 I call bullshit. You remind me of a theologist explaining the preferences of an imaginary deity.

@ChristopherYork1978

Жыл бұрын

This makes sense to me. There’s a romance to warmer or maybe colored sounding speakers but the KEFs makes a good monitor.

Quad S2 is the best! Kef is always for Rock n Roll!

Thank you very much, Regardless at the video 'Klipsch RP600M & B&W 706 S2 Sound Demo' the explanations are really missing.

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 think i like Meta sound more 👍 It's more lively and musically 😁

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.

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.

I like quad speaker and amp Thank you 🌷

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.

@takeiteasy6154

2 жыл бұрын

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.

@qua7771

Жыл бұрын

@@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.

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.

The Quads are much more lively, and a very clear winner for me too.

didn't hear them in person but the Quads S2 sound much better to me.

Symbols are like in the room with the S2.

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.

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.

would love to listen to em in person. damn covid!

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

Hello, love your video, I have a question, what is the name of the speaker stand you're using, it looks amazing !

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 Just bought s2's used for about 400$ cant wait to hear them :)

@giwrgospa

3 жыл бұрын

Where did you buy them for that price, Sebastian? Can you pls help me?

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.

@BadMonkeyFinger_Audio

3 жыл бұрын

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).

The BEST, Quad, for me.

Quad S2 any day for me...

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).

@sza2562

3 жыл бұрын

I am happy with my MS 35TS, but Quad is tempting.

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.

@padmeshsethuraman5617

3 жыл бұрын

Amplifier?

@awwbollocksthen1359

3 жыл бұрын

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?

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.

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.

QUAD spacious and balance and warmer sound

Hi super review. What are the speaker stands used on the quad. You have not given a link to those. Thks

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.

@aarthoor

3 жыл бұрын

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.

@Revelator2025

3 жыл бұрын

We’re you really expecting to get bass extension out of such small drivers?

Both great little speakers, they both have good and bad points and limitations due to their size. I prefer the KEFs a bit more for their more forward , lively presentation, better treble, but the Quads are smoother, more forgiving but that small woofer sounds at its limits sometimes!

@Freedom89984

2 жыл бұрын

Great observation, that’s just what I heard.

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.

Quads for the win!!!

I'm so glad I got the S2 and to think I only paid 499€ brand new for them, what a steal.

@davidnewboult6887

3 жыл бұрын

That was a steal, in the uk £599 at present.

@RFerreira2009

3 жыл бұрын

@@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.

@daweihk88

3 жыл бұрын

@@RFerreira2009 what a steal, do you mind to share where to get this deal ?

@RFerreira2009

3 жыл бұрын

@@daweihk88 It was a German store, they had a huge discount on the S1 and S2, but they're sold out now.

The drums are more pronounced with the S2’s, I really like their sound.

I can hear the 'box ricochet' as more pronounced with the quads. I understand the KEFs are probably a higher margin product AND more expensive...but the sound does differ, its 'easier', less 'crowded'. Any dome tweeter 'harshness' can be dialed back with tone controls? I have read that the powered LS50 II's Meta have better bass extension?

Seems quads are nicer I think before commenting we need to play more and different tracks.

I know it's KZread but the Quads hands down for me.

@topkho

3 жыл бұрын

Much more natural indeed

@djfirestormx

3 жыл бұрын

I hate the KEF uni-q. They are lacking in the vocal range, never have liked them. iby default the Quad wins

@net_news

3 жыл бұрын

same impression here

@LarsTimme

3 жыл бұрын

@@djfirestormx they lack in the vocal range? 🧐 I think the opposite

@PanAmStyle

3 жыл бұрын

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.

Where did you buy your component/TV stand? Look great and been looking for one just like it. Awesome video as usual

@Tharbamar

3 жыл бұрын

It’s antique piece I got from a friend, thanks

If I can't put up with any kind of brightness yet I have a arcam amp wouldn't it make sense to go with the quad S2 especially if I got a pair of stereo Rels to help with the low end ? Opinions most appreciated

I i wanna ask, which one better quad s2 or venere 1.5? Since you have/listening both. Thank you

@Tharbamar

3 жыл бұрын

Quad S2 for me, thanks

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.

@JuanLega

3 жыл бұрын

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 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

The S2 sounds less bright in your demo, nicer to my ears. I have actually the Z2, so might be used and prefer the SQ of Quad. I am currently using the Musical Fidelity M5si (with Node 2i, Tidal Hifi and Topping E30). Before I tried the XTZ Edge and Schiit Saga+ and Node 2i. Recently tried the NAD C298 with Node 2i and Topping E30 (in preamp setting). M5si and E30 is an improvement over XTZ and Saga+. The NAD C298 was very detailed, tight base, but I sent it back cause it kept shutting down after 4 hours playing while the music was still playing. So I will continue testing the C298 as soon as I get a replacement unit. Might want to try an tube pre amp (Musical Paradise MP701 MK2) with the NAD C298. What type/brand amplifier would you recommend?

What do you recommend for nearfield listeneing at very low volume, Quad or Meta?

Quad s2 female vocal is sweeter and lush. Yes it is easier on ear. Pleasing sound. Nice video. You have very good sound listening capacity.

would love your opinion on the Martin Logan 35s.

I think the quads sound a little boxy , It’s hard to tell on KZread but I believe I can hear the cabinet

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 all the way

A good speaker can play all kinds of music that's all I have to say

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!

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.

@Tharbamar

3 жыл бұрын

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

Those acustic boards on the walls , i like them , very nice - are they home made ? Good review thanks

@Tharbamar

3 жыл бұрын

All custom made but not home made, thanks

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!

Kef's have less sound separation. I prefer that sound. A little crisper.

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 have a feeling that it would be a closer match in real life than this video would have the viewer believe. The match seems more lopsided due to the way it was recorded + KZread limitations. Here, I like the Quads far more. That said, I know the LS50 in real life use, and it is a very, very good speaker.

I’d love to know how the S-4 and S-‘s sound. My only worry is sacrificing such a smooth and coherent speaker for more output with all those drivers. Quad nailed it with the S-2 but I’d love to have the floor stander.

@hclandscapes

2 жыл бұрын

Probably just as silibant as the S2's sound unfortunately. I really wanted to like this speaker but its just too bright and silibant.

Hi Tharbamar. I'm thinking about buying the KEF Q350 speakers but can you tell me if the Quad S2's would be a major upgrade. I really like the sound of the 350's but could splurge for the Quads if it would be worth it. I listen to classic rock, some modern rock, jazz, especially big band jazz, and well, almost anything except rap, and heavy metal. I do like a good bass response, especially mid bass. Also, what are the speaker stands that you are using? Thanks.

@Tharbamar

3 жыл бұрын

@waltbro, Q350 will give you better bass and it suits better with your music choices, thanks

I heard the KEF LS50 META in a sound test. They really didn't impress me. Although I own a pair of NEAT speakers so my standards are pretty high.

CREEK EVOLUTION 100A and QUAD S2 the best marriage

Quad is perfect

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?

Clear Quad The bass note are more refined