RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Excellent condition, only one blemish atop one cabinet. Maple finish.S/ns : Q101270M both.
£175 is a fair-to-good ask, and on the cleaner side of the used market for these. The original UK retail was around £380 a pair, so this is roughly half-new-price territory for a respected compact standmount; in practical terms, that makes £175 feel sensible rather than stretched. It is not a bargain-basement steal, but for an “excellent” pair it lands in the sweet spot where condition starts to matter more than chasing the absolute lowest number.
These are well-liked for their refined, musical balance and easy listenability, with a smooth midrange that suits vocals, jazz, and smaller-scale acoustic work especially well. If the cabinets and drivers are genuinely tidy, the upside is a classy little speaker that still punches above its age when partnered well. I’d just confirm foam/surround condition, grille fit, and that both speakers are fully original and matched, because with older standmounts those details matter more than the brand name.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Quad, the venerable British hi-fi brand, traces its origins to 1936 in London, when engineer Peter J. Walker founded S.P. Fidelity Sound Systems, soon renamed the Acoustical Manufacturing Company. Relocating to Huntingdon in 1941 after wartime bombing, the firm shifted from public address gear to domestic audio amid post-war demand for superior sound reproduction. Walker's pioneering ethos—prioritizing "the closest approach to the original sound"—defined Quad from its early QA12 amplifiers, adopted by the BBC, to the iconic Quad I of 1953.
The brand excels in amplifiers and electrostatic loudspeakers, revolutionizing both categories. The Quad II power amplifier of 1953 introduced cathode coupling for vanishingly low distortion, while the 1956 ESL 57 delivered the world's first full-range electrostatic speaker, employing a massless film diaphragm for unparalleled transparency and transient speed. Quad advanced into solid-state with the 1967 303 and transistor designs featuring innovative "Triples" output stages, later expanding to integrated amps like the 99 series, moving-coil speakers, and modern electrostatic models such as the ESL 988 and 989.
Today, under the International Audio Group since 1997, Quad holds a prestigious position in the high-end market, revered by audiophiles for its unyielding pursuit of accuracy over trends. Its heritage components command vintage collector status, yet contemporary offerings maintain a niche boutique appeal among discerning buyers seeking refined, distortion-free reproduction that honors Walker's legacy.
See all Quad listings on RADAR.
