Quad 12L at low volume

These struck me as OK but not great low volume speakers when I heard them.

Triangle Titus 202 can be had used for under $500 and are exceptional, the best small monitors I've heard at low volumes. They can also crank up loud and clear amazingly well for such little guys with good amplification behind them.

The actives sound great at low volume. I listen to Pandora.com through my computer and Hagerman USB DAC straight into the actives. When I'm sitting at the computer I have the volume down quite a bit.

Compared to my 22l/909 amp combination, the 12L actives are more detailed and analytical sounding, which makes them good at low volumes IMO. Of course if you crank 'em up they sound good as well!

I would concur with everyone here. The passives need some juice, but the actives are just awesome even at low volume. The active versions show up all the time here. Snag a pair and you won't be sorry.

I've heard the Titus and think that Mapman is right on the money; you simply can't go wrong, but if I had that little extra cash I'd get the actine Quads. You can't make a bad decision between the two.

Thanks for the answers, very helpful !
But how to you explain the difference between the active and the passive?
After all it should be the same speaker, so if the passives are not very responsive at low volumes, because they are not very detailed or dynamic enough at low level, how is the fact of embedding amps in it is going to change anything?

I note the recommendation on the Titus, I've also seen very good reviews of the Triangle Comete which seem to be a beefed up version of the Titus with also great reviews and same low volume capabilities. So I may try to listen to them as well.

I would assume the actives just get the amplification needs of the speaker right by design and would reduce the need to find a separate amp that is optimal otherwise.

Not sure how it would change the basic nature of the speak design though as you point out.

Never heard Comete's (have almost bought a pair on several occasions but already have enough speaks), but that aside, I would consider those a good step up in the Triangle line in general.