Quad 21L vs. Epos m15

I own the Quad 21Ls and have had the chance to listen to the Epos M15s for a total of about 8 hours. Not in thesame system, but both in home living room environments with similar or same components. I am referring to the Epos M15s I have not had a chance to hear the 15.2s.

I bought the Quad 21Ls before I knew there was an Epos dealer in town - that being said I'm not certain that I would have bought the Epos over the Quad. The two are very close in many ways.

If I was to describe their sound characteristics I would say that the Quad leans towards analytical and the Epos towards a more musical presentation. Both speakers are unforgiving of poor quality recordings and intolerant of poor quality upstream equipment. I have gone through a reasonably long process to finally have cables (interconnect & speaker) that work well with the Quad's, what works with the Quad's also seems to sound quite good on the Epos.

Both reach similarily low, imaging and soundstaging MIGHT be a bit better on the Epos - however - the Epos sytem has much better room + amp + source than what I have had access too on my Quad's. I find the detail to be better with the Quad's.

I really believe that one could be happy with either of these, as well I have not found any speakers other than these two (in a floorstanding speaker) in the same price range that I would rather own.

In summary the Quad and Epos are similar in capabilities with slightly different presentations.

If you would like to send me an e-mail I can put you in contact with the owner of the M15s I'm referring to who has heard my Quad 21Ls on a number of occassions so you can hear the other side of the story as well :)

Hope this helps!

Nathan Klassen

I used to own a pair of M12 but gave them to my sister recently. Many people comment that the M15 which is the floor stand version of the M12 sounds worse than it's sibling stand mount.

I have not heard the Quad but the Epos as point out by others that they are very revealing and therefore a bit fussy with upstream equipment, but they are always a pleasure to listen to.
I tried the M12 with the Nad C370 and found the bass can be boomy even in larger than average room.
Wes Phillips did do a review of the M15 and he said the Arcam 85A is a good match.

I used to own a pair of M12 but gave them to my sister recently. Many people comment that the M15 which is the floor stand version of the M12 sounds worse than it's sibling stand mount.

I have not heard the Quad but the Epos as point out by others that they are very revealing and therefore a bit fussy with upstream equipment, but they are always a pleasure to listen to.
I tried the M12 with the Nad C370 and found the bass can be boomy even in larger than average room.
Wes Phillips did do a review of the M15 and he said the Arcam 85A is a good match.

nathan
I actually went to an audio store in the area today. Same equipment (I-5 and a quad cdp), same room, I thought the quads had a level of clarity that just was not present in the epos. There sound is exactly what i have been looking for, liquid mids, incredible detail on the high end without sounding bright and tight full bass, the quads pull you into the music like few other speakers i have hear. The sound stage was huge and imaging was pin-point accurate. My mind was made up within the first 3 discs the dealer played for me.
Jack johnson, jesse cook and Norah Jones,
I have own b&w signitures 805, green mountain europas, dynaudio 1.3 se. The quads are a steal at there price...
I have been going through speakers like wine, different one every week, I think the quads will be with me for a while.

I'm glad to hear it. I was trying to be diplomatic in regards to my Epos M15 vs Quad 21L experience many people don't take you seriously if you praise your speakers as if they were the second coming of Christ.

I'm glad you enjoyed them - I've heard the Signature 805s and similarily was unimpressed since you've actually owned them its nice to know that my brief impression was equal with your impression as an owner. Always wanted to hear the GMA Europa's glad to know I don't have too now :)

If you'd like feel free to send me an e-mail I'd be curious to hear how you've got it setup in your room, what kind of cabling your using / source etc as I'm looking at upgrading my amp & source in the near term for this lovely speakers.

What finish did you get them in? Piano Black here :)

- Nathan K.