QUAD 11L CLASSIC

In terms of both sound quality and value for money, the 11L Classic improves upon the original, trailblazing

11L – released in 2002 and described as “phenomenal” by What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision magazine – and

its highly regarded successor, the 11L2. It retains the same compact cabinet size, standing 31cm high, 19cm

wide and 24cm deep, but broadens the finish options to deliver an even greater competitive advantage.

In addition to their sonic performance, both the 11L Classicʼs predecessors earned high praise for the quality

of their cabinet finish: real-wood veneers smothered in high-gloss, hand-polished lacquer that set new

standards for speakers at the price (just £380 per pair). The new 11L Classic is available in the same

sumptuous lacquered finish, but now Quad is also giving the option of classic, non-lacquered wood veneers,

reducing the price by £50 in the process.

In terms of sound quality, an intensive review of every critical component has resulted in substantial

improvements. An uprated motor system has been fitted to the mid/bass unit with its 125mm woven Kevlar

cone, resulting in improved linearity and a substantial reduction in midband and bass distortion levels. As a

result, the 11L Classic can play at higher volume levels than before, filling rooms far larger than its size

would suggest with crisp, detailed, fully scaled sound.

The 25mm fabric dome tweeter has also been upgraded, its housing forming a shallow ʻhornʼ or ʻwaveguideʼ

affixed to the front baffle. This controls the dispersion of the dome to mimic that of the midrange cone

through the crossover region. As a result, the crossover becomes almost inaudible in the overlap between

the drive units, yielding a coherent, detailed and remarkably lifelike midrange performance in a similar

manner to the coherence heard from electrostatic panels.

The crossover has itself been significantly enhanced. A sophisticated yet electrically simple network, it is

integrated for both phase and frequency through several octaves either side of the crossover point. The

handover of frequencies between the tweeter and mid/bass drive unit is seamless, whilst the maintenance of

phase allows a deep and broad soundstage to be created between and around the speakers.

In order to reduce interaction between the physical components of the crossover, each section is placed on

its own PCB (Printed Circuit Board) mounted separately within the speaker cabinet. This also enhances the

benefits of bi-wiring by allowing star-grounding back to the amplifier. Top-quality components are used

throughout, including precision-wound inductors, laminated silicon-iron cores for the bass coils and

polypropylene capacitors in the signal path.

The 11L Classicʼs cabinet construction is critical to its high level of performance. A combination of two

different wood materials is used for the carcass of the cabinet to reduce the audibility of resonance and to

make the cabinet more opaque to sound. High density chipboard and fibre board are laminated together in a

structure that breaks up the resonant modes into multiple mini-modal frequency bands that lack the strong

sonic signature experienced by more coherent panels such as MDF.

Interior sound from the mid/bass drive unit is partially absorbed by specially selected long-hair acoustic

absorbent lining applied to the cabinet walls. In addition, the random particle structure of the chipboard

provides a long and diffuse path for internal sound that tries to escape from the cabinet. The net result is that

cabinet coloration is reduced in all its forms, so the listener hears only the drive units, unsullied by the box in

which they are mounted.

Twin reflex ports are located at the back of the cabinet, augmenting the speakerʼs bass response and

enabling a physical crossover to the bass unit at 68Hz. The ports are placed on the rear panel to baffle any

effects of airflow distortion and midrange leakage. The use of two ports reduces the velocity of the airflow,

enabling the speakers to be placed close to a rear wall without acoustic problems arising.

The Quad 11L Classic follows in the tradition of small, monitor-class loudspeakers originally pioneered by the

legendary BBC LS3/5a in the mid-1970s. This precedent set new standards for accuracy and midband

definition when it was first introduced and is still held in high regard by audiophiles today.

Though clearly benefitting from the latest manufacturing techniques and component technologies, the 11L

Classic might be considered the LS3/5aʼs natural heir. A small monitor loudspeaker has distinct advantages,

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not only for near-field monitoring, but also for music reproduction in the home. The use of a relatively small

mid/bass driver aids integration with the treble unit, delivering an accurate power response both on the

forward axis and in the room. As a result, the 11L Classic yields an expansive stereo soundstage that belies

the size of the speaker itself, with a wonderfully coherent midband that gives lifelike reproduction of vocals

and instruments.

Externally, the 11L Classic is finished to a level befitting high-class furniture, with wood veneers especially

chosen for their grain structure, then laid and polished by hand. That alone is rare at the price, but the

addition of a deep, lustrous, multi-layer lacquered finish is truly exceptional.

The lacquered version of the 11L Classic is available in cherry or piano black, priced at £379.95 per pair –

the same price as the speakerʼs two predecessors, whilst delivering an even higher standard of sound.

Whatʼs more, the addition of classic, non-lacquered cherry and rosewood finish options at a new, lower price

point – just £329.95 per pair – ensures this speakerʼs exceptional sound quality is now within reach of an

even greater number of music lovers.

Peter Comeau, Director of Acoustic Design for IAG (Quadʼs parent company), led the design team

responsible for the 11L Classic. Describing the speakerʼs key attributes, Peter says:

“In the best Quad tradition, the 11L Classic follows the dictum: ʻThe Closest Approach to the Original Soundʼ.

Majoring on timbral accuracy, exceptional detail retrieval and low coloration, the 11L Classic is everything a

small monitor-class speaker is meant to be, and more.

“The ʻmoreʼ stems from the thorough enjoyment of music that the 11L Classic delivers to the listener. It is not

critical of musical styles or recordings, but will respond enthusiastically to high-quality input and reward the

listener with a rendition that lends insight into both the recording and the musical performance. We are

certain the Quad 11L Classic will join the small number of mini-monitors that have become classics in their

own right among hi-fi enthusiasts the world over.”

SPECIFICATIONS – Quad 11L Classic

• Type: two-way vented box loudspeaker

• Treble unit: 25mm fabric dome

• Mid/bass driver: 125mm woven Kevlar cone

• Frequency response: 48Hz – 22kHz (+-3dB)

• Nominal impedance: 8 Ohms (minimum 4.2 Ohms)

• Sensitivity: 87dB (1W/1m)

• Dimensions (HxWxD): 310x190x243mm

• Finish options: cherry or rosewood classic veneer; cherry or piano black lacquered veneer

• Prices: classic veneer £329.95 per pair; lacquered veneer £379.95 per pair