Quad Z-1 Speakers (Pair)

Quad Z1 speakers are the bookshelf design in Quad's Z-series range, and are the step above the S1 bookshelf speaker from Quad's S-series range. 

This is Quad's flagship ribbon range of loudspeakers and utilises a new approach to ribbon tweeter design using a unique sandwich formation. An exceptionally robust, high power speaker has been engineered, yet with the delicate sound conventional ribbon speakers are known for. 

Where It All Started

Way back in the mono days of 1949, Quad launched the Corner Ribbon as its first loudspeaker. This was, indeed, a "prestige" product, but it offered something special, a particularly clear and detailed upper mid-range to treble performance from a large and delicate ribbon driver. 

The naturalness and fidelity of sound reproduction of the original corner ribbon was championed by the hi-fi press. So, the question is, can Quad engineers replicate this performance today, or even surpass it? the answer, not surprisingly, is yes.

Then And Now

The Quad corner ribbon was a speaker incomparable to competitors at it’s time, all with thanks to the Quad ethos, which is still adhered to in all product development and to deliver; “The Closest Approach To The Original Sound”.

Being Quad's first ever commercially available loudspeaker, the Corner Ribbon was not completely perfect - it generated a relatively low power and the ribbon unit was very fragile. As we know founder Peter Walker moved on to develop the world’s first full range, push-pull Electrostatic speaker, if not the most iconic loudspeaker of our time.

So, to make a ribbon unit that handled today’s high power amplifiers and to do the original Corner Ribbon justice was no mean task. The Z Series ribbon accomplishes this by utilising a composite ribbon sandwich substrate that is far more robust than earlier designs and immerses this ribbon in an exceptionally strong magnetic field to yield ultra-high sensitivity.

Beautifully Curved Cabinets

Available in piano lacquered black, white, or rosewood, the skillfully veneered, one-piece curved structures make the focal point of any living room.

The Ribbon Tweeter

Unlike conventional dome treble units where the voice coil ‘motor’ is attached separately to the diaphragm, Z Series ribbon is both the diaphragm and the motor system. The result is a unique combination of delicacy, smoothness and hear-through performance that helps make your music sing.

While taking influence from the unparalleled success of the ESL speaker, the ribbon itself is engineered to be extremely light and thin, which delivers the startling accuracy and wide coverage Quad is famous for.

In Quad's flagship series, the larger 90 x 12mm true ribbon creates an even higher sensitivity and bandwidth which means better dynamics and an even smoother integration with the midrange frequencies.

Woven Glass Fibre Woofer

In the Z Series floorstanders, this advanced ribbon unit is married to an equally high performance midrange driver with a unique double-roll-surround especially designed to control edge breakup and give equal transparency to the all important vocal range.

Both the midrange and bass drivers feature Quad's woven glass fibre cone geometry, now matched by the double-roll-surround for the same smoothness and clarity offered by the ribbon treble unit.

Transparent Technology

The bass section, similar to the original Corner Ribbon utilises an acoustic filter bass reflex system. This section uses a double chamber filter that eliminates “chuffing” found in inferior loudspeakers with conventional ports.

This also maintains a natural and unforced reproduction right down to the lowest frequencies of a symphony orchestra, producing Quad's signature sound as found in the iconic ESLs.