Features
| Warranty length | 3 Years |
|---|---|
| Brand | Quad HiFi |
| Product Award | HiFi News Editor's Choice |
Tech Specs
- Speaker type: Floor-standing
- Enclosure type: bass reflex
- Bass Driver: 3 x 175mm black glass fibre cone
- Transducer complement: 3-way
- Mid Range Driver: 150mm black glass fibre cone
- Treble driver: 90x12mm true ribbon
- AV shield: No
- Sensitivity (1W @ 1m): 90db
- Recommended amplifier power: 60-250w
- Peak power handling: 120w
- Peak SPL: 115dB
- Nominal impedance: 4Ω
- Minimum impedance: 3.6Ω
- Frequency response (+/-3dB): 47Hz - 20kHz
- Bass extension (-6dB): 40Hz
- Crossover frequency: 300Hz & 3.5KHz
- Cabinet Volume (in litres): 43L
- Dimensions (mm): 1175 x 267 x 340
- Weight: 23.5kg
- Finish: Piano Black / Piano Rosewood
- Box Includes: Speakers, user manual, certificate, spike seat
Product Description
Quad Z4 speakers are the largest flagship floorstanding speaker design in Quad's Z series range. It’s the top of the range model, sitting above the Quad Z-3 floorstander and Quad Z-1 and Z-2 bookshelf models.
Quad's flagship ribbon range of loudspeakers incorporates an updated method to design their ribbon tweeters, using a sandwich formation unique to Quad’s range. This has resulted in the engineering of an extraordinarily sturdy, high power speaker that also features a distinct, delicate sound that standard ribbon speakers are usually known for.
Where It All Started
Quad launched their very first Corner Ribbon loudspeaker in the mono days of 1949. It was a premium product, but it offered something revolutionary, a clarity in the upper mid-range to treble performance from a delicate yet large ribbon driver.
The fidelity and life-like sound reproduction that the original corner ribbon produced was celebrated by the hi-fi press. The only thing left to ask is, can Quad engineers reproduce this elite performance today, or even improve it further? the answer is yes.
Then And Now
During its hay day, the Quad corner ribbon was incomparable to competitors, thanks to Quads ideal, which are still adhered to today in every single product development. Quad’s goal is to deliver “The Closest Approach To The Original Sound”.
As it was the first of it’s kind, the Corner Ribbon was not entirely perfect - it generated fairly low power and the ribbon unit was extremely delicate and fragile. Designing and manufacturing a ribbon unit that would handle today’s high power amp as well as doing the first Corner Ribbon justice was not an easy task. The Z Series ribbon achieves this by instrumenting a composite ribbon sandwich substrate that significantly more robust than early designs and immerses this ribbon in an extraordinarily rigid magnetic field that lends to ultra-high sensitivity.
Beautifully Curved Cabinets
Available in various beautiful finishes including piano lacquered white, black, or rosewood. Each model is veneered to an extremely high and skilful standard, the single-piece curved structure of the cabinets will make for an aesthetically pleasing focal point to any lounge or listening room.
The Ribbon Tweeter
The ribbon tweeter sets itself apart from conventional dome treble units, the Z Series ribbon combines the diaphragm and the motor system into one. The result is a distinct combination of delicacy, smoothness and cut-through performance that achieves incredible performance from your music collection
Although it takes much inspiration from the ESL speakers incomparable success, the ribbons engineering is designed to be extremely lightweight and fine, which results in the breathtaking detail and realism as well as the vast coverage Quad is reputable.
The larger 90 x 12mm true ribbon in Quads flagship range delivers an even more increased sensitivity and bandwidth, meaning improved dynamics and a satisfyingly seamless integration with the frequencies in the midrange.
Woven Glass Fibre Woofer
This innovative ribbon unit within the Z series floor standing speakers is paired with a midrange driver that equals the ribbon units extremely high performance. A unique double-roll-surround has been specifically designed and implemented to manage edge breakup and provide equal transparency to the all of the important frequencies in the vocal range.
Woven glass fibre cone geometry has been used in the design of the bass and mid drivers, now matched by the double-roll-surround for the same clarity and seamless performance that the ribbon treble unit delivers.
Transparent Technology
An acoustic filter bass reflex system is utilised in the bass section, a double chamber filter deters “chuffing” that is found in low quality loudspeakers that feature conventional ports.
This maintains an unforced and natural sound reproduction even in the lowest frequencies, delivering Quad's unique signature sound that their ESL speakers are known for.
Press Reviews
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'Constructed from multiple layers of wood fibre composites of varying density, and extensively braced, the Z-4’s cabinet certainly feels solid and inert. The finish – with its multiple layers of piano lacquer on the rosewood veneered review samples – would put a modern Bentley dashboard to shame, and affords the speaker an air of quality that completely belies its price.' (Hi-Fi News November 2016)
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'The Z-4 proved relatively easy to place in Editor PM’s spacious listening room, and was happiest relatively close to a boundary wall, although it was clear that bass-heavy ancillaries could be tamed by moving it out just a little.' (Hi-Fi News November 2016)
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'The Quad Z-4 is a wonderfully couth and balanced loudspeaker, with a naturally open and detailed sound devoid of any particularly obvious character traits... Many floorstanders at this price have a distinct ‘sound’, whereas the understated Z-4 prefers to sit back and let the recording do the talking.' (Hi-Fi News November 2016)
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'Tonally it’s smooth, but with an ever-so-slightly light yet well extended bass that’s probably ideal for small-to-medium sized listening rooms where the speaker will find itself close to a rear wall. In either case it delivers a polished and even sound, devoid of hotspots where the drivers cross over, ensuring a broad appeal across a wide range of music.' (Hi-Fi News November 2016)
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'As you might expect, the ribbon tweeter with its low mass diaphragm delivered a visceral cymbal sound that was lightning-fast yet never descended into coarseness. Despite its smooth and even tonal balance then, the Quad Z-4 proved accomplished at carrying the raw emotion of the musical event.' (Hi-Fi News November 2016)
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'Comeau confesses that when designing the Quad Z-4, he didn’t set out to create an immediately impressive sound. Instead, this floorstander is able to reveal the quality of the original performance in a subtle but engaging way, drawing the listener in. Sophisticated, soulful yet self-effacing, few rivals at or near its price come anywhere close to its all-round competence. As such, it is highly recommended. ' (Hi-Fi News November 2016)
Customer Reviews
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kim flensborg
12 Sep 2023
have a nice quad z-4 and they play just fantastic. -
John Whitaker
19 Nov 2020
Wonderful Quad Z-4 speakers A real step up from my former speakers
Sonus faber Venere S floor standers.
The synergy of the whole system has improved immensely
Bass & Midrange all very fine.
A really great Quad speaker at an extremely competitive price
My Gloss Rosewood livery finish is superb
5Stars all round & including Audio Affair dealership -
Steve clark
1 Apr 2018
Exquisite finish. Lovely sounding, very warm with good high end. Bass extension is slightly lacking but this is made up for by detail. Plus I have a sub in my set up so its fine. For the money I don't think you'll find a speaker of this quality any where. The next speaker up I considered was the bowers and Wilkins but these are 6k. Double the price.
