System Photos!

You went way back into time for those Quadral…

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yeah pretty far back … I’m about to renovate a set of Quadral Titan lol


image

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Large transmission line speakers in oak real wood veneer. 3-way system with the famous Technics TH-800 ribbon in the high frequency range.

Our Quadral Titan II of the 2nd generation is the very rare active version, which plays in a completely different league than the passive variant. The loudspeakers are driven by three separate power amplifiers (2x PAO2 / 1x PAO3) for high, medium and low frequencies.

Lol more love Michael

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Placing the woofer higher up in the tall cabinet, closer to the midpoint between floor and ceiling, is really clever. It’s usually hard to pull off due to aesthetic and center-of-gravity (stability) issues. Goes a long way towards moderating the room nodes, closer to the floor/corners. :+1:t2:

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Sound is important, but so is the aesthetic, especially in a room that’s not just a listening space. I just set up the Magnepans I’d ordered about six weeks ago, and they sound good (though they probably need a little break-in time).

But they look absolutely ridonculous in the room. I don’t think I can live with them.

This is the room with the Harbeths. (Yeah, different time of day, but still.)

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Hmmm, they look pretty good to me.

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Have you looked at the Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary with their matching stands? I’ve had a pair for about a week and they are really good and might be a better fit looks wise in that room.

Fireplaces need these. One either side. Nice aesthetic. Even nicer sound.

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I guess that depends on the fire place.

Wouldn’t put too much wood on that fire place where it’s the carbon fiber compound speakers so close :wink:

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How do you rate the sound of Quadral Titan in relation to today’s most expensive speaker sets ? Almost 40 years ago I was interested in them (I did not plan to buy, I could only dream about them), I remember that they used relatively inexpensive Isophon speakers. The Technics TH 800 tweeters were expensive, I had the cheaper TH 400 and Technics loudspeakers with flat membranes, but the upper foam suspension of these speakers fell apart quite quickly. The world has changed a lot, only a few average monthly salaries had to be paid for Quadral Titan. Currently, the best cost several dozen salaries.

It is the person in the photo who makes a statement here “Yes I have a smile right up to my ears. Although I have IMF then Quadral has a much better top and a great soundscape.
Something needs to impress me but so can these. Very good :grin::innocent::musical_note::musical_score::notes:

A set of refurbished TITAN in Denmark costs about USD 1686. They can easily compare with today’s speakers for well over $ 15,000


“Vulkan”

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Refurbished means drivers and crossover parts exchanged?

I wonder that it’s so good as the Quadral even at its peak didn’t have a hip reputation regarding real high end performance…I’d say they were something like B&W or less today. Great reviews in the standard audio press but everyone knew they just placed tons of ads everywhere…so far my perception.

Of course it can fluctuate slightly in price … renovation is including new edge hangings. I cannot give you any right with regard to the sound. I have many different speakers and keep collecting it with B&W they have no bass, etc. B&W is probably some of the worst sound and that for fantasy prices.

Not closely.

Here’s the thing. The harbeths sounded great. But I had a bug to get Maggies. They’re built basically in my backyard, and I’ve wanted a pair for years.

Because it’s a living space, the look is very important. I thought they’d look kinda mid-century, but they look more like office cubicle walls right now. They seem way too intrusive to me, but I guess it’s like a new haircut. Gotta get used to it.

Here they are in the daylight:

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They look flippin’ great man - my wife would like them too :slight_smile:

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The Maggies HAVE TO sound wonderful.
They also look like art, and when you tell visitors that those are actually loudspeakers… :grinning:

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I’m glad my wife doesn’t mind what I drag home, Watkin’s WE-1s

WE-1 one

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For what it’s worth, the Wife Acceptance Factor is not part of the equation. Sadly my dear wife passed away in 2018 from breast cancer. It’s just me and my two sons (one of whom will be going to college in the fall).

We’ve always had music in this main space, but the system is far more geared to higher-quality audio now. Speakers had been hidden behind couches and whatnot, and we used it more for ambient music when we had guests, and rarely for dedicated listening. Amps, streamer, speakers have all been upgraded in the last year. Been quite a journey.

Anyway, I do think of her when I make design/audio decisions, and I wonder how she’d react to some of them. She’d probably think the Harbeths looked cool. Not so sure about the Magnepans.

Also not sure that she’d approve of the 1960’s Thorens turntable I put on the dining room buffet, but I’m a crazy person who think it looks awesome. :sunglasses:

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My deepest condolences on your loss.

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Now have the stack (all) in black. Just starting to audition the Stellar Phono Preamp with very positive initial impressions. Feel like this thing is going to sneak up on me. Will definitely report back as the miles and hours accrue.

And another note praising PS Audio (I know I’m becoming a fanboy how disturbing). Just noticed the Axpona special pricing on the SPP and wouldn’t you know it PSA honored the reduction after shipping this piece. You guys really are the best. Thanks Kevin and Darren. Well done to you young designers going places.

And most important that slab ‘o vinyl is the 50th anniversary version of none other than Townes Van Zandt.

Edit: I would best describe the SPP as “sophisticated”. By that I mean it somehow treads that fine line between laid back and too sparkly. Michael Fremer’s feedback on getting the midrange just right doesn’t fully capture the balancing act Darren Myers and his PS Audio colleagues have pulled off here. I hate to use that word perfect but we’re approaching something really special! Well done.

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