Sound :inner detail u can hear at any volume(no harsh sound even at higher vol.)Hours of smooth & warm sound . Resolution: layer of music & instrument(from quiet to loud)across left & right with depth. Bass : true 35Hz is a dream come true without a sub .There is enough high SPL put me to the limit in a 14x20x9ht room.(I do have a sub for the movie system set)

Only 10 hrs since it's out of the box . I'll pose another update review if no one object.However,I'm still waiting for a warmer midrange & tighter bass (perhaps, I need a tude amp) wish they don't charged me 500$ for the blue color cloth!!! You don't get a front row seat but instead a second row without the harsh &loud sound !(due to speaker limited beyound 96db. I give 1 star less because of the $$& limited SPL(above normal room SPL can handle)

Quest 4 the holy Grail is finally over.For the past year,i'd been reading all kind of audio-related mag.,seeking for a replacement of my10yrold veteran CantonCt100 .I begin to realize we're bias with the brand we choose.That means most brands are seemingly good on each & every review.True,beauty is eye of beholder.However,after all the research & audition from show room to show room (price is no object type 5000-30000$),come to my humble conclusion ,base on the buget ,size of my room ,esthetictoo,that Quad is the replacement(i hope for now)I choose Quad because: 1. Easy of placement(only44lb each)verse some speaker 200-300lb+) 2.Esthetic (harmonize my room(14x20x9ht)without the look of monolith like some that reach 8foot tall 3.Sound Quality:extremely smooth from treble to midrange(agree with some audio-mag.'s comment ) 4.Quality:my initial concern since the unit is assembled in China.Untill I learnt that each unit has 72hrs testing at the factory & Quad dealer offer a 2day test run before ship it out to me.I'm relieved(as for my $4000 Canton speaker came with a loosen wire when it's new from the box ) I've to credit the web site :http://user.tninet.se/~vhw129w/mt_audio_design/ he's hi-fi hobbyist & learn a lot on this speaker history & insight. SO it's my humble opinion to recomend this speaker to anyone who seeks 5000-20000$$ range

Similar Products Used:

Canton,Kef,Dynaudio,Sonas F,B&W,wilsonA.(all had audition & owned at a very short time ) McIntouch amp,Revox,Classe amp (reference)

Absolutely natural tone. Balance. Articulation, especially on voice. Neutrality.

None that I can discern. Perhaps one could quibble about the plastic top.

Having owned prior Quads, including most recently the 63s, I was prepared for a continuation of the Quad sound. But these are far better, in my judgment, having a much fuller sound and a structural integrity that allows for listening at higher volumes. In fact, unlike earlier Quads, they seem to come alive with a bit of extra volume. If you listen to voice, 1950s and 1960s jazz, light rock and folk, as I do, you owe it to yourself to give these speakers a listen. I have heard many speakers that cost far, far more but none that sound better or even as good. The truth in timbre is simply astounding on a Rudy Van Gelder recording of a jazz trio or quartet.
It's hard to call $5-6000 a bargain, but in the audiophile world of cables that sell for nearly as much, the 988s are truly a fair value.

Similar Products Used:

Quad ESL-57, Quad ESL=63s, Spendor 3/5s

Clear treble and midrange-bass has pitch.

expensive

This is a lifelike sounding speaker. It sounds like the real thing.
Bass sounds like bass heard in a small ensemble that I recorded. No boom to the bass. Bass is very deep. Midrange comes off highly transparent as if the person was in the room. The treble sounded just like it is supposed to, with cymbals sounding like brass cymbals and not breaking glass like some other speakers I have heard.

Broad soundstage with spotlike images. Would play very loud on a variety of program material. Plays louder and goes
deeper than the 63s. Excellent realistic sounding speaker.

Similar Products Used:

Quad 63

Musical on any type music, highly accurate bass, midrange, and highs, excellent phase resolution.

Quad 989 is better

Other than the 989, this is the speaker with the closest approach to original sound on any type of music I listened to in a very brief audition. I have read audiophiles who
commented on this speaker who have not heard it. Listen to it before making any speaker purchase in this price range.
This speaker sounds like the real thing, actual live performance. Note: The format did not have year 2001 as the model year-I left it blank, and the review was not accepted. I used 2000 to get the review accepted, but the actual model year is 2001.

Similar Products Used:

Quad esl 57, Quad usa monitors, other box speakers.