The Quad 33/303 is a classic hit, with tens of thousands been sold over the years, it is an incredibly successful preamp and power amp combination made by the reputable Quad HiFi. Even after so many decades, it is still quite sought after and to some a collector’s item. In our current time, there are plenty of magnificent modern speakers that we go for and match with the Quad 33/303 but the question is which are the best choices.
To pair the Quad 33/303 with the right matching speakers, we will first need to understand their sonic prowess as well as their characteristics. Once we know what are the Quad 33/303 true strengths, we will then be able to find the right speakers for this preamp/power amp combo. This knowledge will also allow you to hunt for matching speakers on your own.
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Sonic Characteristics and Performances of Quad 33/303
Both the Quad 33 and 303 vintage designs did not age well which makes it difficult to blend them into most modern homes. The colors and the retro look of the amp case also make it hard to match with most modern speakers but they are certainly durable and really well-built for their time which is more important than looking good. Another plus point will be the compact footprint of the Quad 303 power amplifier which makes it easier to allocate space for it. What’s even more crucial will be their specifications, after all these years, are their specs will still be viable. Fortunately, the frequency response of the Quad 33/303 still holds up, with 30Hz-20kHz (Quad 33), which is not bad, if we do not mind the limited 30Hz instead of the usual 20Hz bass extension.
The frequency response of 30Hz-35kHz is still practical, as most music are well within that range but bass fanatics or audiophiles who love their movie scores which have very deep bass notes should look away. The power output of 45W per channel into 8 Ohms is pretty decent and has a speaker load impedance of 4 Ohms to 16 Ohms. This pretty much limits us to bookshelf speaker choices or floor-standing speakers with very high sensitivity. The Quad 33 preamplifier doesn’t have a dedicated subwoofer output so we can leave the option of getting an active sub out.
The specs of the Quad 33/303 already filtered out and shrunk the choices of speakers which we can go for. The sound characteristics of these amplifiers will further filter out more speakers. The smooth delivery of the music is sweet-sounding and fluid, it has that pleasant feeling on our ears which we know that we can really crank up the volume without it ever getting too hard sounding. The 45W power output did hold us back from blasting the volume up too loud though. There is richness in the music presentation, with plenty of details and that natural sound reproduction of the vocals.
There is this vintage high-fidelity sound quality that really shows its colors when playing back vinyl sources. It is the classic British sound, the warm and silky smoothness, allowing us to keep listening for hours without tiring our ears. The Quad 33/303 bass performance is quite lacking though, probably due to the low wattage and a strong focus on their strengths which are the mids and highs. You can still hear the bass but it just doesn’t have that authority and impact. The very deep bass portion also lacks prominence and is a bummer that we can’t add a subwoofer into the mix.
The Quad 33/303 does exceed our expectations, after all these years, they are still able to produce beautiful sounding music with that bits of vintage flair. Really enjoyable to listen to, the vocals are vivid, the instruments are rich-sounding, and with the right matching speakers, they can even beat some of the modern amps & speakers combination. The Quad 33 and 303 combo does lack some clarity but the sweet highs are worth the trade-off. Still, they face plenty of strong competition with a lot more features such as a DAC but when it comes to sound quality they are not easy pickings.
The easy on the ears sound characteristics with the old-school warmth do make it quite an unfussy preamp/power amp to match speakers with, but the limitations do strike off quite a good amount of potential speakers. We have all the necessary data we need and we finally can start sharing with you the list of the best speakers to pair with the Quad 33/303 amps.
Quad 33/303 Specifications
- Quad 303 Power Outputs: 45 Watts RMS into 8 Ohms
- Quad 33 Frequency Response: 30Hz-20kHz
- Quad 303 Frequency Response: 30Hz-35kHz
- Quad 303 Speaker load impedance: 4 Ohms to 16 Ohms
- Quad 33 Total harmonic distortion: 0.02%
- Quad 303 Total harmonic distortion: 0.1%
- Quad 33 Dimensions: 260mm x 92mm x 165mm (10.2″ x 3.6″ x 6.5″)
- Quad 303 Dimensions: 120mm x 159mm x 324mm (4.7″ x 6.3″ x 12.8″)
- Quad 33 Weight: 3kg (6.6lbs)
- Quad 303 Weight: 8.2kg (18.1lbs)
Best Speakers to pair with Quad 33/303
The Quad ESL-57 will probably be the top speaker to pair with the Quad 33/303 combination. This Quad preamp and power amp combo have the ability to really bring out the best of the Quad ESL-57. Even with the Quad 33/303 limited power output, they are still more than capable of driving this pair of amazing electrostatic loudspeakers. The spaciousness and natural sound quality are simply exceptional, largely due to the matching characteristics of the Quad ESL-57. These electrostatic loudspeakers are definitely worth your effort and time to audition them.
The Klipsch La Scalas are legendary floor-standing speakers which are more than a worthy match for your Quad 33/303. They may be floor-standing speakers, but they are very efficient due to their high speaker sensitivity which allows the Quad 303 to easily drive the La Scalas. They are also well within the frequency range of the Quad 33/303. The clarity of the Klipsch La Scalas is superb and very revealing, which complements the Quad 33/303 and in return smoothens the edges a little. These magnificent floor-standing speakers are also talented at projecting vast and deep soundstage with impeccable imaging.
Klipsch LA Scala AL5 FLOORSTANDING Speaker
Quad amplifiers used to work hand in hand with the Tannoy vintage speakers in the past, and this is why you might want to match the Quad 33/303 amps with the classic Tannoy Eaton, a heritage bookshelf speaker with a 10″ Dual Concentric driver. The Quad 33/303 is sufficient to drive these amazing speakers at a moderate volume which is the drawback. The design and build of the current Tannoy Eaton are as faithful to the original which means, the speaker design will be at the time where studios are pairing Tannoy speakers with Quad amplifiers. The Tannoy Eaton heritage loudspeakers are designed to deliver studio-grade sound quality, presenting music that is close to what the artists have intended.
The Harbeth P3ESR is another amazing speaker to match with the Quad 33/303 amplifiers combo, the Quad 303 has just the right power to handle these mini-monitors to sound their best. The frequency response of the Quad 33/303 combo also fits well with the Harbeth P3ESR, not to mention, their sonic characteristics are rather similar. The smooth and colored sound reproduction sounded sweet with alluring warmth which will work fantastically well with vinyl analog sources. The vintage HiFi sound is present and it is pretty mellow, very relaxing to listen to. Both their strengths match each other well and they deserve an audition with you.
More Details at Amazon – Harbeth HL-P3ESR Bookshelf
For livelier and louder music playback, you will need very efficient speakers and the Klipsch RF-7 III is a fantastic choice for the job without breaking your wallet. With a speaker sensitivity of 100dB, the Quad 33/303 can drive these floor-standing speakers to high levels of volume. The astonishing clarity and impeccable stereo imaging deliver a bold presentation where the warmth of the Quad 33/303 adds some smoothness into the sound reproduction. The Klipsch RF-7 III easily fills the room with musical details and projects a large soundstage with precision, providing you with a more exciting music listening experience.
More Info at Amazon – Klipsch RF-7 III Floorstanding Speaker – each
Spendor also has loudspeakers that are well-match with your Quad 33/303 amplifiers, you can check out their BC1 and SP1 which are vintage floor-standing speakers with similar sonic characteristics. Monitor Audio speakers are also suitable as they tend to be more neutral bright which provides a lively music presentation. Have a look at Monitor Audio Bronze 2, they are a pair of talented bookshelf speakers with impeccable insights and the Quad 303 are capable of powering them. The Wharfedale Denton heritage bookshelf speakers are also worth the look and if possible, have an audition with them.
More Details at Amazon – Monitor Audio Bronze 2 Bookshelf Speakers
More Details at Amazon – Wharfedale Denton 80th
To Sum It Up
The Quad 33/303 does have quite a number of potential speaker matching choices, the listed speakers here are some of the best you can pair with your Quad vintage amp combo. It is recommended to hear them out before deciding, as the results might give you an idea of what other types of speakers you can go for. If possible, try to audition these potential loudspeakers at your own listening room, this will give you a more accurate sound which will greatly help with your decision.
