any new Quad 11/12L owners?

Hi I have the 21Ls but they are very similar in characteristics to the 12Ls, except with deeper bass. I love them to death, I actually bought them over the 12Ls because, someone accurately pointed out on Audioasylum, that a good set of stands will set you back almost as much as the difference between the 12L & 21L - but you also get better bass response, and the look of a small - gorgeous - tower speaker (that my Girlfriend absolutely loves).

For a look at how I'm running my setup click my system link, I've got a detailed listing of my gear, why and how I chose it etc.

Nathan K.

I just bought a pair of Quad 12L's a few weeks ago and have about 30 hours of "burn-in" time on them. What can I say? Just a great speaker with wonderful soundstage and transparency.
This is going to sound crazy, but I have 2 systems and hooked the Quad 12L's up to both and here are my listening results.
System I
*Parasound HCA-1500A amplifier (205 wpc)
*Parasound PLD/1100 pre-amp
*California Audio Tercet MKii CD player
*Chang Lightspeed 3200 line conditiioner
*Audioquest Midnight x3 speaker wires (bi-wired)
*Audioquest Quartz interconnects

System II
*Harman Kardon HK3370 Receiver (70wpc)
substituted for the Parasound amp and pre amp above.All other components were the same.

RESULTS: I hate to say it folks, but my 56 year old ears tell me that there is NOT much of a difference between the soundstage and transparency betweeen the 2 systems! The Parasound amp and preamp combined retail for about $1,800 and the HK3370 receiver retails for less than $400. I was blown away when the HK3370 receiver compared so favorably against the Parasound separates! The folks at New England HiFi in Portland, Maine said they have done comparison tests against their "lower priced high-end" separates and said they had similar results. HK was bought out by Acoustic Research and they must have incorporated some changes in the HK receivers that were used in the high-end AR products to make such a difference in the receivers. I had to find out for myself and I can honestly say that the "law of deminishing returns" applied in this case! The Quad 12"s sounded just wonderful with the HK3370 receiver! If I had it to do over again, I would dump my separates and go with the newer HK3475 receiver and get rid of the separates. I know most of you folks out there must be saying that "this guy must be deaf", but I am a VERY CRITICAL listener and my ears are the final judge. Go out and spend money on expensive separate compents if you like. I think that the line conditioner, good wires/interconnects and a great CD player made the difference in the system.
I can't wait to hear back from the "audio addicts" out there who say this guy must be kidding. Take a listen to the HK 2 channel receivers and judge for yourself. Get a hold of the fine folks at Canadian HiFi in Regina Sask. for the best price on the Quad 12 L's. Great prices and great people!!!!

hi everybody,

I'm looking for 4 of those Quad 12L as second hand.
Those or :
- Diapason Micra III or Prelude III (bigger)
- Castle Trent II

What do u think of those proposals ?
Do someone sell its Quad 12 L ?

Eric from France

I didn't like the 12Ls. I found their sound a tad recessed and not quick. I use VMPS products so I guess I'm spoiled by the speed of ribbons.

However, I've heard great cone speakers that markedly best the 12L's in the under $1000 category like the Green Mountain Europas or Onix Ref 1's used.

I know there's other monitors out there as well. These two monitors are the ones that I've directly compared them to however.

I just revamped my sound system. I bought the Quad 11L's, QUAD 99 CD, QUAD 99 preamp, QUAD 909. WOW! I wish I did this sooner. Best sound I've had. My old system was more than twice the price too!