Quad S-2

For a compact speaker with a roughly 5-inch woofer, reviewers found the S-2 notably weighty, quick and clear through the low end. Stereophile praised its “extraordinary lower-frequency tonnage” and clarity, while other listening reports call it satisfying and deep for its size; it does not deliver true sub-bass or room-shaking output, and larger rooms benefit from a subwoofer.

The midrange is a major strength in the reviews, especially with voices. Tharbamar repeatedly praises the accurate, natural and emotionally involving vocal range, along with the speaker's coherent driver integration and slightly warm overall balance; one reviewer did find the midrange somewhat thin in his setup.

The ribbon tweeter is widely admired for high-frequency extension, air, delicacy and fine detail retrieval. Stereophile noted the open, airy character and smooth upper-frequency transients, but Jay's Iyagi reported severe sibilance and piercing brightness at louder levels until toe-out and amplifier pairing were adjusted.

The S-2 is praised for an expansive, precise presentation that extends well beyond its compact cabinets. Reviewers describe strong center focus, clear spatial cues, generous separation between notes and an involving sense of immediacy, although Stereophile found placement away from the wall important to achieve the best coherence.

Reviewers describe the speaker as agile, lively and responsive with music, particularly at sensible listening levels. Its compact woofer has finite headroom, however: one long-term reviewer reported bottoming out around 90dB, so it is not intended for sustained high-volume playback in large spaces.

The cabinet construction receives unusually strong praise, with Stereophile highlighting layered MDF construction, internal bracing and a particularly attractive, silky Sapele Mahogany finish. A long-term reviewer likewise called the fit and finish among the best available, reinforcing the impression of a carefully made stand-mount.

The supplied price listing is $549, while video reviews discuss a roughly $1,200 market price; at either cited figure, reviewers consider the S-2 highly competitive. It is described as hard to beat for its musicality, build and vocal realism, with one reviewer suggesting it competes with substantially pricier Focal and Magico-style detail-oriented alternatives.