Review: Surround Speaker System Quadral Aurum 5.1

Reviewed by Carsten Rampacher, August 8th, 2003

Equipment

A lot of prospective customers who are prepared to invest more than EUR 4.000,-- in a 5.1-loudspeaker system are expecting an excellent sound, a first-class finish as well as an elegant design for their money. The loudspeaker manufacturer Quadral from Hanover, Germany wants to serve exactly this target group with this Aurum-product range. From the high-end-box with a very big housing up to the compact, but tuneful shelves loudspeaker everything is to be found in this product line. Of course a correspondingly dimensioned active subwoofer and a centre-speaker with a bigger housing are not missing in this product range. As a not so insignificant part of home cinema enthusiasts are preferring an outstanding sound and no loudspeakers with bulky housings, we have tested an attractive as well as compact 5.1 set from the Aurum-range.

As front speaker we selected Quadral Aurum 30, a 2-way-bassreflex-loudspeaker with a nominal power of 80 watts and a musical power of 130 watts. The frequency response achieves from 35 up to 60.000 Hz, which means that the box is also recommended for DVD-A- and SACD. The efficiency /1 W/1 m is 87 dB. Aurum 30 is suitable for amplifiers from 4 up to 8 ohms and with its compact dimensions (H x B x T in mm, 401 x 218 x 300) it can be placed without any problem. Deliverable colours: maple-champagne or cherry, piece price: EUR 700.

Our centre-speaker Aurum Base MkII is a 3-way-bass reflex system with a nominal power of 120 watts and a musical power of 200 watts. The frequency response is from 33 up to 60.000 Hz, the efficiency (1 W/1 m) amounts 87 dB. Aurum Base MkII is designed for amplifiers from 4 up to 8 Ohm, the dimensions (H x B x T in mm, 170 x 544 x 250) are showing that it is a real upper-class centre with a bigger housing volume. The deliverable colours are: maple-champagne, cherry, oak black. Aurum Base Mkll changes its owns for EUR 600 EUR.

As surround loudspeaker we used Aurum 10 Phase. Phase 10 are 3-way bass reflex loudspeaker with a constructive peculiarity. On the backside of the box a 25 mm bipolar tweeter is working, which can be switched off depending on the acoustics of the room and personal taste. The nominal load has been indicated with 100 watts by Quadral and the musical power with 160 watts. The frequency is from 42 up to 60.000 Hz, the efficiency (1 W/1 m) amounts 86 dB. As it is the same case with regard to the other components Aurum 10 Phase is suitable for amplifiers from 4 up to 8 Ohm and with its small dimensions (H x B x T in mm, 346 x 172 x 243) a lot of different installation possibilities are resulting in. Deliverable colours: maple-champagne or cherry, the piece price is indicated with EUR 500.

To an effectively working 5.1-loudspeaker system also a powerful active subwoofer is belonging to. Aurum Sub 10 is a bass reflex subwoofer with two each 210 mm woofers. A very powerful amplifier with 300 watts nominal power and 500 watts musical power is providing with basses with a lot of pressure also in bigger testing rooms. The frequency response is from 20 up to 150 Hz, the cross over frequency is variably adjustable from 35 up to 150 Hz. Aurum Sub 10 can be automatically or manually switched on or off, as requested. The active subwoofer is understandably not so compact, as deep basses are also demanding a correspondingly big housing. The dimensions (H x B x T in mm): 718 x 277 x 415. As it is the same case with regard to the other boxes from Aurum-series. Sub 10 can also be purchased in maple-champagne or cherry . The piece price of the subwoofers is EUR 1.300.

Our testing appliances have all been in the colour maple-champagne and convinced all with its perfect finish and the beautiful design. To avoid misunderstandings: A lot of the hitherto tested loudspeakers have been finished really good – however Aurum-boxes are offering a lot more: They are not only loudspeakers, but noble furniture, which are also providing with a high optically seen value. The extremely precise finish of the housing of all components fills the prospective customers with enthusiasm, the elegantly integrated chrome interfacing on the front housing side also provides with exclusivity like e.g. the acrylic glass cover over the loudspeaker cable connecting terminals on the backside of the housing of centre, front- and surround loudspeakers.

With regard to its finish the active subwoofer is also at reference level, the operating terminal on the front side especially has to be emphasised: Not only that the regulators are ergonomically shaped and are looking very high-graded, but it is also much more practically to carry out all relevant adjustment works on the front side of the appliance. 

Quadral is commendably even going ahead concerning the operating comfort and is supplementing Aurum Sub 10 with a remote control – however this can’t join with regarding the otherwise offered high-graded quality. At least the volume and the cross over frequency can be adjusted comfortably sitting on the sofa.

Acoustical Performance

In our sound testing series the noble Aurum-set is providing with peak performances in the home cinema and multi-channel music use as well as during stereo operation. Especially impressing was the fact that the developer of Quadral perfectly understood to justify to all different requirements, which have to be filled from an exclusive multi-channel loudspeaker system. This means that the loudspeakers in the home cinema and the multi-channel music use are brilliant with regard to their first class dynamics. But that’s not all: The surround sound scenery presents every kind of detail in a very precise way which leads to a spatially outstanding presentation. Conspicuously at the presentation is the brilliant high frequency response providing with a very lively total impression. On the other side of the frequency spectrum Aurum Sub 10 inspires with its dynamics at reference level, quickly and without any delay the powerful subwoofer is on the spot and overcomes to each effect combination from the deep frequency range without any problem. The power reserves of Sub 10 are also sufficient for testing rooms up to 50 square metres. Never does the bass loudspeaker seems nondimensional even in a bigger testing room. Also the level stability convinces absolutely. Even after a use of several hours no symptoms of fatigue could be noticed at the Quadral subwoofer. However this is not the only advantage of Sub 10. 

Perfectly working is the cooperation with the compact Aurum 30, never arises the impression that there would be a tonal gap between the use of the subwoofer and the frequency range, which still is to be transferred from the front boxes. Such a set like our testing ensemble however of course has to be supported by a high-graded centre and Aurum Base MkII is the perfect candidate. Also more powerful effect combinations, coming from the front out of the middle, have been reproduced with the necessary accomplishment power from the centre. Besides this we have been filled with enthusiasm due to the very clear and natural voice reproduction. 

In the multi-channel music operation the above-indicated features are again attracting attention, which means that the surround-sound scenery is characterised from a high dimension of cultivated and precise dynamics, which is above all noticeably at multi-channel DVDs with classical music. The front loudspeakers are inspiring due to its precise and at the same time harmonious sound, the subwoofer is acting very accurately and with the necessary pressure without exaggerating at all. The characteristics of the centre excellently succeeded during music operation. At our different music-test-DVDs the very clear, fresh and free reproduction also attracted attention. 

The one who supposes that a combination between high-graded compact loudspeakers and a correspondingly active subwoofer is not suitable for the demanding stereo reproduction should build its own opinion at both Aurum 30-front loudspeakers in cooperation with Aurum Sub 10. A clean and very plastically sound picture with a high measure of acoustical balance is providing with a hearing pleasure at top level. 

Summary

We have to admit that the Aurum 5.1-set costs a lot of money and therefore can’t be purchased by anybody – however, the one who is able to afford this loudspeaker system will receive high performance at a fair price in all respects. 

Reference
High End class
March 17th, 2003

Value

Pro:

• Outstanding clearness and brilliance
• Excellent and perfectly accentuated details
• Subwoofer with a first-class precision and outstanding power
• Outstanding level stability of all components
• Usability for home-cinema as well as multi-channel music operation at the same time
• High suitability for stereo operation
• Finish exceeds common standards
• Classical and elegant design
• With regard to the performances a fair purchasing price

Contra:

• Cheap remote control of the active subwoofer

Technical Data:

Total price of test-set called Aurum 5.1: EUR 4.300 (Suggested retail price on the German market)
Front loudspeaker left/right: Quadral Aurum 30, 2-way-bass reflex-loudspeaker, nominal power of 80 watts, musical power of 130 watts, frequency response from 35 up to 60.000 Hz, efficiency dB/1 W/1 m) 87, suitable for amplifiers from 4 up to 8 ohms, dimensions (H x B x T in mm) 401 x 218 x 300, deliverable colours: maple-champagne, cherry, piece price: EUR 700

Centre loudspeaker: Quadral Aurum Base MkII, 3-way-bass reflex loudspeaker, nominal power of 120 watts, musical power of 200 watts, frequency response from 33 up to 60.000 Hz, efficiency (dB/1 W/1 m) 87, suitable for amplifiers from 4 up to 8 ohms, dimensions (H x B x T in mm) 170 x 544 x 250, deliverable colours: maple-champagne, cherry, oak in black, piece price: EUR 600.

Surround-loudspeaker: Quadral Aurum 10 Phase, 3-way bass reflex-loudspeaker (bipolar 25 mm spherical surface – tweeter on the backside), nominal power of 100 watts, musical load of 160 watts, frequency response from 42 up to 60.000 Hz, efficiency (dB/1 W/1 m) 86, suitable for amplifiers from 4 up to 8 ohmd, dimensions (H x B x T in mm) 346 x 172 x 243, deliverable colours: maple-champagne, cherry, piece price: EUR 500.

Active subwoofer: Quadral Aurum Sub 10, bass reflex-subwoofer with 2 x 210 mm woofers, power amplifier with 300 watts nominal and 500 watts musical power, adjustable subwoofer cross over frequency response from 35 up to 150 Hz (variable), frequency response from 20 up to 150 Hz , dimensions (H x B x T in mm) 718 x 277 x 415, deliverable colours: maple-champagne, cherry, piece price: EUR 1.300.

Reviewed by: Carsten Rampacher
Assistent: Matthias Walther-Richters

2003/03/17

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