The Quad 9AS thread

[hoopsontoast]

Its actually a good idea to have a seperate box with the Active Crossover, Amplifiers, Preamp etc as it means you can pack it all away next to your other sources (Computer, Network, TV etc) so no multiple long cables going into one speaker... Also, potentially only one power socket.

Removing the amps/electronics from the cabinet is also a bonus, as well as heat dissapation etc.

Of course, it would not appeal to people who want an all-in-one but it makes a lot of sense. Obviously, Its the fact that its an active crossover in the speaker rather than an all-in-one design that attracts people to those types...... :rofl:

It would also mean when the manufactuer makes an upgrade (to the latest 'turbo' model), you just swap out the box rather than having to send back both the speakers.

The Manufacturer could also include umbilical cable upgrades too :silenced:

It really makes a lot of sense, not sure why more people dont do it....

 

[chebby]

A lot of speakers and amps will get blown up by people who buy them (especially online) without realising they are crossover-less. (Or understanding the difference.)

So I hope the manufacturers can all agree on a standardised (but not standard) form of connection that makes such 'accidents' impossible.

 

[Richard Allen]

Its actually a good idea to have a seperate box with the Active Crossover, Amplifiers, Preamp etc as it means you can pack it all away next to your other sources (Computer, Network, TV etc) so no multiple long cables going into one speaker... Also, potentially only one power socket.

Removing the amps/electronics from the cabinet is also a bonus, as well as heat dissapation etc.

Of course, it would not appeal to people who want an all-in-one but it makes a lot of sense. Obviously, Its the fact that its an active crossover in the speaker rather than an all-in-one design that attracts people to those types...... :rofl:

It would also mean when the manufactuer makes an upgrade (to the latest 'turbo' model), you just swap out the box rather than having to send back both the speakers.

The Manufacturer could also include umbilical cable upgrades too :silenced:

It really makes a lot of sense, not sure why more people dont do it....

now you understand why I'm asking Hoops.

 

[Richard Allen]

A lot of speakers and amps will get blown up by people who buy them (especially online) without realising they are crossover-less. (Or understanding the difference.)

So I hope the manufacturers can all agree on a standardised (but not standard) form of connection that makes such 'accidents' impossible.

No they won't Chebby. A 4 pole connector instead of biwire terminals will suffice.

 

[hoopsontoast]

A lot of speakers and amps will get blown up by people who buy them (especially online) without realising they are crossover-less. (Or understanding the difference.)

So I hope the manufacturers can all agree on a standardised (but not standard) form of connection that makes such 'accidents' impossible.

No they won't Chebby. A 4 pole connector instead of biwire terminals will suffice.

Yeah a Neutrik Speakon connector would be ideal, in fact for any speaker, its pretty much perfect. Much better than Banana Plugs. They lock which is a bonus, and you cant orientate them the wrong way round so no chance of getting the polarity reversed unless you made the cable wrong in the first place.

I think it could be an idea where the manufactuer could sell both a passisve and active version, selling either a passive outboard crossover box, or the active crossover/amps/pre-amp box as an option. You could feasibly use the same 4-pole connection (2-way) on the speaker enclosure or even the 6/8-pole connector for a 3/4 way speaker.

I dont see the point in a manufactuer selling a speaker without ANY crossover, not much point really, I think the above soloution would solve it.

 

[byakuya83]

Looking forward to reading impressions on the Quad 9AS.

As for the box of tricks referred to above, Dynaudio and Focal have speakers controlled by a separate wireless box. Not what you're after I know but it's a similarly neat solution.

 

[unsleepable]

Thinking of using them as computer speakers, I expect that they will allow the volume to be adjusted from the computer through USB.

This is something I believe that the Kef X300A haven't gotten completely right… The volume can't be adjusted from the computer—the instructions specifically recommend to leave the computer volume at its maximum—, the control to adjust it is at the rear of one of the speakers, and they are big. All this together means that to modify the volume, you actually have to get up from the computer and go behind them.

If only the volume control was at the front, it'd make more sense—although there are people who prefer not to have the controls at the front because of the looks of it. The Quad 9AS have the controls at the front but they seem to be quite discreet.

In this regard, the Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 have been very well thought out as the volume integrates completely with the operating system, at least with Mac OS X. Functionality-wise, I find them very good. I just wished they would put themselves to sleep automatically with the computer—they only turn themselves off when the computer is powered off.

 

[richutd18]

Hi Chebby,

Just wondering if you got to hear Quad 9AS? If so what were your thoughts of them?

 

[davedotco]

Thinking of using them as computer speakers, I expect that they will allow the volume to be adjusted from the computer through USB.

This is something I believe that the Kef X300A haven't gotten completely right… The volume can't be adjusted from the computer—the instructions specifically recommend to leave the computer volume at its maximum—, the control to adjust it is at the rear of one of the speakers, and they are big. All this together means that to modify the volume, you actually have to get up from the computer and go behind them.

If only the volume control was at the front, it'd make more sense—although there are people who prefer not to have the controls at the front because of the looks of it. The Quad 9AS have the controls at the front but they seem to be quite discreet.

In this regard, the Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 have been very well thought out as the volume integrates completely with the operating system, at least with Mac OS X. Functionality-wise, I find them very good. I just wished they would put themselves to sleep automatically with the computer—they only turn themselves off when the computer is powered off.

Realistically, you just set the speaker level to the loudest setting you normally use for everyday use then use modest attention on the computer music player.

With modern hi-bit processors this really should have a negligable effect.

 

[chebby]

Hi Chebby,

Just wondering if you got to hear Quad 9AS? If so what were your thoughts of them?

I've not had any calls from my dealer. He was going to call with a date when the rep turned up with a demo pair, but that hasn't happened.

My interest has waned somewhat anyway. I have bought a new camera and a new fridge/freezer and will be updaing our Mac soon. I have decided the hi-fi is fine for now.

 

[davedotco]

Hi Chebby,

Just wondering if you got to hear Quad 9AS? If so what were your thoughts of them?

I've not had any calls from my dealer. He was going to call with a date when the rep turned up with a demo pair, but that hasn't happened.

My interest has waned somewhat anyway. I have bought a new camera and a new fridge/freezer and will be updaing our Mac soon. I have decided the hi-fi is fine for now.

Vapourware......... :?

 

[chebby]

Vapourware......... :?

How so?

 

[Richard Allen]

Yeah a Neutrik Speakon connector would be ideal.

I think it could be an idea where the manufactuer could sell both a passisve and active version, selling either a passive outboard crossover box, or the active crossover/amps/pre-amp box as an option. You could feasibly use the same 4-pole connection (2-way) on the speaker enclosure or even the 6/8-pole connector for a 3/4 way speaker. I think the above soloution would solve it.

Yeah, funny that!

 

[davedotco]

Vapourware......... :?

How so?

Plenty of puplicity and chat.......

But no actual product to see or buy........ :?

(Last time I tried to check them out this was certainly the case, it was a couple of weeks ago, so might be different now. However like you, and I suspect many others, I have lost interest.)

 

[unsleepable]

Thinking of using them as computer speakers, I expect that they will allow the volume to be adjusted from the computer through USB.

This is something I believe that the Kef X300A haven't gotten completely right… The volume can't be adjusted from the computer—the instructions specifically recommend to leave the computer volume at its maximum—, the control to adjust it is at the rear of one of the speakers, and they are big. All this together means that to modify the volume, you actually have to get up from the computer and go behind them.

If only the volume control was at the front, it'd make more sense—although there are people who prefer not to have the controls at the front because of the looks of it. The Quad 9AS have the controls at the front but they seem to be quite discreet.

In this regard, the Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 have been very well thought out as the volume integrates completely with the operating system, at least with Mac OS X. Functionality-wise, I find them very good. I just wished they would put themselves to sleep automatically with the computer—they only turn themselves off when the computer is powered off.

Realistically, you just set the speaker level to the loudest setting you normally use for everyday use then use modest attention on the computer music player.

With modern hi-bit processors this really should have a negligable effect.

Yes, I completely agree that that is the most sensible approach to managing the speakers volume.

It kind of makes sense that devices integrate with each other, though. I made the example with the B&W MM-1, but the Naim DAC-V1 serves equally as well as an example.

When connected to the computer through the USB port, it is possible to link the volume of the V1 with that of the corresponding audio output of the computer. So when you change the volume from the computer, it is the same as when you change it with the remote control of the DAC. Even if quality-wise the difference might be negligible, it still makes things very comfortable.

The approach of setting the speakers at the maximum volume foreseeable, and then modifying it from the source, works fine—but it kind of limits the possibilities to a single source. And some may have the nagging feeling of not getting the most out of their speakers.

 

[davedotco]

Thinking of using them as computer speakers, I expect that they will allow the volume to be adjusted from the computer through USB.

This is something I believe that the Kef X300A haven't gotten completely right… The volume can't be adjusted from the computer—the instructions specifically recommend to leave the computer volume at its maximum—, the control to adjust it is at the rear of one of the speakers, and they are big. All this together means that to modify the volume, you actually have to get up from the computer and go behind them.

If only the volume control was at the front, it'd make more sense—although there are people who prefer not to have the controls at the front because of the looks of it. The Quad 9AS have the controls at the front but they seem to be quite discreet.

In this regard, the Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 have been very well thought out as the volume integrates completely with the operating system, at least with Mac OS X. Functionality-wise, I find them very good. I just wished they would put themselves to sleep automatically with the computer—they only turn themselves off when the computer is powered off.

Realistically, you just set the speaker level to the loudest setting you normally use for everyday use then use modest attention on the computer music player.

With modern hi-bit processors this really should have a negligable effect.

Yes, I completely agree that that is the most sensible approach to managing the speakers volume.

It kind of makes sense that devices integrate with each other, though. I made the example with the B&W MM-1, but the Naim DAC-V1 serves equally as well as an example.

When connected to the computer through the USB port, it is possible to link the volume of the V1 with that of the corresponding audio output of the computer. So when you change the volume from the computer, it is the same as when you change it with the remote control of the DAC. Even if quality-wise the difference might be negligible, it still makes things very comfortable.

The approach of setting the speakers at the maximum volume foreseeable, and then modifying it from the source, works fine—but it kind of limits the possibilities to a single source. And some may have the nagging feeling of not getting the most out of their speakers.

It is an interesting point and one that I have looked into at various times. This type of integration is quite common at the 'computer audio' level but less so with hi-fi equipment though examples do exist.

Of couse the dac needs to have a volume control in the first place and not that many do. This may well be the hi-fi industry being behind the curve on this but this kind of hi-fi playback is pretty new and something many existing enthusiasts have a problem with. I can see this feature becoming common place on usb dacs in the near future, but as you say, this can get complicated if you are using multiple inputs on the dac.

With this in mind my particular wish list is topped by my need for an affordable digital pre-amp. The Naim you mention and the ubiquitous M-dac are along the lines of what I need but quite honestly I find their pricing outrageous. All the work is done by chips that cost little, surely somebody can put together something that works well for a sensible price, a couple of Toslink and RCA inputs, USB (optional), volume control and basic remote control is really all that is needed.

 

[byakuya83]

Are they available yet? Any reviews?

 

[chebby]

Are they available yet? Any reviews?

My local Quad dealer hasn't seen them yet. He hasn't even seen his Quad (IAG) rep since late last year.

I'd arranged for a demo back in late January / early February (when the 9AS were due to appear) but no-one's heard anything.

Call your own Quad stockist and see if it's any different where you are.

I've lost any interest I had in them.

 

[Hook§Fi]

Quad said end of April. Dealer checked last week and still no date.