Since Peter Walker founded the Acoustical Manufacturing Co. in 1936, all Quad products have displayed originality in design, born from a full and proper understanding of every aspect of sound reproduction. A world leader in audio amplifier and electrostatic speaker design, Quad has, over the years, made a major contribution to the improvement of sound quality.
The history of Quad is one of technical achievement in the field of sound reproduction. It is a story that began with the Quad 1 amplifier, which brought the benefits of 15 years knowledge and experience in professional audio and industrial products to the task of making the most accurate domestic audio amplifier of its age. In 1953, the product which set the standard for hi-fi amplifiers was the Quad II Power Amplifier, In 1956, Quad demonstrated the first true full-range, low distortion electrostatic loudspeaker. This remarkable product (known later as the ESL 57) used a virtually mass-less plastic film as a moving diaphragm between two charged plates.
Amplifier performance took a further step forward in 1975 with the arrival of the Quad 405 ‘Current Dumping’ design. This remarkable new circuit topology remains one of the few truly original amplifier innovations and has featured in Quad products ever since. For this technology Quad was awarded the Queen’s Award for Technological Achievement in 1978, the only one ever presented to an audio Hi _ Fi equipment manufacturer. In 1981 Quad announced the ESL 63; a full-range electrostatic loudspeaker based upon two sets of concentric annular electrodes fed through sequential delay lines. This patented system produces a sound pressure pattern identical to the theoretical ideal of a point source origin. Once again the Quad electrostatic loudspeaker became the reference standard around the world.
The arrival of the radical 77 Series of electronics in 1994 introduced the concept of a fully integrated sound system operated with a two-way remote control. The system boasted numerous new types of circuit technology as well as some of the most advanced control software seen in a consumer product. Two years after the launch, Quad was presented with the ‘European Amplifier of the Year’ award for the 77 Series Integrated Amplifier.
Quad went to become a market leader with the 99 series and redesigned its solid state amplification range in 2011 launching the Elite Series. Recently, with the newly designed QSP Amplifier, 9AS Active Loudspeaker and Integra Series of electronics, Quad is still setting new standards and pushing the limits of High Fidelity audio in keeping with its ‘closest approach to the original sound’ philosophy.