By tdarst on 4th Apr 2007
tdarst's Ratings| Time Speakers Owned | Less than a Week |
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| Sound Quality | 8/10  |
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| Value for money | 10/10 |
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| Overall value | 8/10 |
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 tdarst's recommendation |
Good Points
For a such a small speaker (any speaker) in this price range, with this kind of build quality and finish, they are tough to beat. Set up properly with "good kit" as they say, they will create a very precise, 3-dimensional image with pinpoint accuracy. The highs are very smooth and non-fatiguing; no razor blades to the eardrums, whatsoever. Mid range is clear and reasonably detailed. These will not disappoint as long as you have the components needed to make them shine.
Bad Points
I compared these over a weekend to B&W 705's (decision making was in progess). While the B&W's were slightly more detailed in the mid-range and some in the highs, the difference was not overwhelming and certainly not worth the cost differential between the two models ($500 USD, retail to retail). And this difference in fact, might actually be a positive, in that certain passages of frequencies from the B&W's did get a bit bright, bordering on annoying; the Quad's delivered those quite nicely. All things considered, I think the B&W's were slightly better than the 12L's... but again, to me it just wasn't worth the difference in price.
General Comments
Obviously, the Quad 12L are small bookshelf speakers. If you like/require slamming bass, you need a good and quick subwoofer placed and set up properly with them, or you will NOT be happy. But for their size, they are pure dynamite. I took the B&W 705's back to their dealer and thanked them for the chance to audition, and happy settled on the Quad 12L's (from a different dealer).
