QUAD has expanded its speaker range with a more affordable pair of hi-fi speakers, aimed at bringing the brand’s sound to a wider audience.
The new Elegan series introduces two models – the bookshelf-style Elegan 1 and floorstanding Elegan 2. At the same time, the series retains many of the technologies found across the company’s higher-end speakers.
Starting at £749 per pair for the Elegan 1 and £1,499 per pair for the larger Elegan 2, the new range is positioned as QUAD’s entry point. They’re aimed at buyers looking to build a premium stereo system without having to step up to the brand’s flagship Revela or ESL models.
A key part of both speakers is QUAD’s long-running use of woven Kevlar drive units that the brand has been using in its speakers since the early 2000s. It’s a material the company says offers an ideal balance of stiffness and damping, helping to reduce unwanted resonance and improve clarity through the midrange.
The compact Elegan 1 is a traditional two-way design, pairing a 165mm Kevlar mid/bass driver with a 25mm fabric dome tweeter. In contrast, the larger Elegan 2 moves to a three-way configuration. It adds a dedicated 125mm Kevlar midrange driver alongside twin 165mm bass drivers, extending the low-end response down to 32Hz.
Image Credit (QUAD)
QUAD has also paid attention to what sits behind the drivers. Both speakers use newly developed crossover networks based on a Linkwitz-Riley acoustic topology. These include polypropylene capacitors and carefully optimised PCB layouts designed to improve phase coherence and deliver smoother integration between the drivers.
The cabinets have also been engineered to minimise unwanted resonance through high-density construction, internal bracing and damping materials. Additionally, QUAD’s Airflow port system is used to reduce turbulence and help produce cleaner bass. Both models feature a minimalist design available in either a matte black finish or walnut veneer.
Peter Comeau, QUAD’s Director of Acoustic Design, said the Elegan range is intended to deliver the company’s signature balanced sound. Moreover, it is designed to fit more naturally into modern living spaces.
“The Elegan 1 and Elegan 2 are a ground-up re-evaluation of what entry-point QUAD loudspeakers should be, in a thoroughly modern context,” he said.
Both speakers are designed to pair neatly with QUAD’s latest electronics, including the QUAD 3 integrated amplifier and the reimagined QUAD 33 and 303 components. Even so, they can also be used with amplifiers from other brands.
The QUAD Elegan 1 and Elegan 2 will be available from 24 July in matte black or walnut finishes. They will be priced at £749 and £1,499 per pair respectively.
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