STEREO GUIDE verdict
The Majority Quadriga is a real all-rounder: CD, DAB+, FM, streaming and Bluetooth - all in one compact device for under 300 euros. It can be operated intuitively via buttons, remote control or app, without the need for an account. In terms of sound, the 2.1 system impresses with natural voice reproduction, powerful bass and surprising transparency. An extremely attractive replacement for classic compact systems, both in terms of price and practicality.
Pros
- Balanced, differentiated sound with a rich bass foundation
- Tuner for FM and DAB+
- Excellent operation with app and infrared remote control
- CD player and Spotify Connect on board
Cons
- FM tuner is noisy
- No AirPlay or Chromecast
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Tonal balance / transparency7.7
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Bass / Dynamics7.9
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Usability / Connectivity9.5
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Price/Performance10
When we were offered the Majority Quadriga for reviewing, the British brand from Cambridge honestly didn’t mean anything to me. This is mainly due to the fact that the British initially concentrated on their home market. Majority is now one of the most successful brands beyond the borders of the Empire at retailers such as Amazon and has more than 50 radios, speakers, soundbars and DVD players in its range.
In the Quadriga, this know-how is condensed – according to the manufacturer, all devices are even developed in Cambridge – into a one-box audio system that covers the entire common program spectrum for less than 300 euros. In the 43 x 12.8 x 28 centimeter housing, the British company has housed a CD player with slot drive, Internet radio, a tuner for DAB+ and FM, Bluetooth plus WLAN interface, various analog and digital inputs as well as a 2.1 loudspeaker system with 120 watts nominal power and downfire subwoofer. Majority does not provide any information about the diameter of the individual drivers, but an exploded view shows that the two front-firing drivers to the left and right of the display are comparatively large.

Colorful variety of sources
Spotify Connect can also be controlled from the smartphone and the basic functions such as play/pause or track skip forward/backward can be controlled using the infrared remote control supplied. Covers and tracks are even shown on the 2.8-inch color display. Two special features stand out: Firstly, Majority, dispenses with the now widespread touchscreen in favor of high-quality looking, clearly structured buttons with easy-to-read lettering. In addition to the row of buttons below the display, there is a non-slip, metal rotary and push-button control. This means that the Quadriga is also easy to operate directly on the device.
The British are bucking the general trend by offering the option of dispensing with the ubiquitous app. They have designed the operation of the divider in such a way that in most cases the app was hardly missed. Even the setup, including the Wi-Fi password for the network connection, was easy to manage with the clearly laid out infrared remote control. Nevertheless, there are points that can be controlled more conveniently or even exclusively via the UNDOK or Oktiv apps for Android and iOS devices. First and foremost, there is the operation of a multi-room system in several rooms. But even things that can alternatively be called up via remote control – such as the different equalizer presets – can be done reliably and conveniently, especially at a great distance or even without visual contact with the Quadriga.






The operation is also impressive
Majority’s user guidance in the UNDOK app, which can be found via QR code on the operating instructions in the Apple App Store or on Google Play, is exemplary – and not just because of its clear structure. Small speech bubbles guide the user through the software at the first start. Another positive aspect is that, unlike B&O or B&W, for example, no account or registration with an e-mail address is required to use the software. However, you can extend your warranty to a hefty three years by registering, which Majority already points out on the packaging of the Quadriga.


There is also a note after the installation of the UNDOK app indicated in the operating instructions. The Oktiv app is recommended and linked there for even better operation. However, I have to say that I found both apps to be well made.
The rear of the housing, which is available in black or white, not only houses the bass reflex port, but also a whole range of connections: There is an analog RCA stereo input and an optical S/PDIF digital connection to complement the easily accessible 3.5 mm jack input for mobile devices on the front of the housing. There is also a USB-A socket for playing music from memory sticks (FAT16 or FAT32 formatted with a maximum capacity of 128 gigabytes). At the back of the device there is also a connection for the plug-in power supply and a hardware switch to save power. The headphone output with 3.5 mm jack socket on the front is also very practical.


Sound test: As rich as a small hi-fi system
So there were plenty of sources to try out in the sound test. Here are the most important ones: With digital radio, the natural voices were particularly impressive. This makes not only vocal passages, but also moderation and news reports very pleasant. The treble offered good resolution, the bass was not overly differentiated, but it offered a good punch and plenty of precision. All in all, a well-rounded sound that also stood out positively in terms of impulsiveness. There was no desire to listen to analog FM programs. From the more or less strong noise, to limited dynamics, to a limited bass and treble range, there was nothing positive to report apart from pleasant, albeit poorly resolved voice reproduction.
So I put an end to FM playback quickly and conveniently. All you have to do is push a CD into the drive slot and the Quadriga automatically pulls it in to start playback straight away. By chance, I just happened to have an audiophile recording from Naim Audio, which I had previously fed into my high-end 90s Naim CDS CD player. And what can I say? The affordable all-in-one device exceeded expectations.

CD is also perfectly okay
Thanks to good transparency, you could clearly hear every instrument on “Charlie Haden’s Private Collection No. 2” – from the piano to the saxophone to the grippy, differentiated, plucked acoustic bass. The silky brass sheen of the cymbals on Paul Motian’s drums also came out beautifully. With the one-piece you can also enjoy demanding music in a very appealing quality. The tonal fidelity was truly remarkable, which was particularly evident on the saxophone, which was reproduced in a differentiated, airy manner without harsh tones. Apart from the fact that the sound stage is small compared to a stereo system with separate speakers, this was true hi-fi quality.
But many people will certainly want to listen to pop with the Majority Quadriga. And after all, I mostly listen to rock or pop music myself. So I dug out some dusty CDs, as I prefer streaming in my private life and only use compact disks for nostalgic moments. It’s almost like vinyl now. In any case, the whole thing also works really well with pop and electronic music. The liveliness and expression in the vocal range are particularly impressive. The punch in the bass is just as brilliant with beats as the very lively but at the same time silky high-frequency reproduction.
Streaming goes one better
Of the important sources, there is still streaming, which the Quadriga masters in various forms. Even with our STEREO GUIDE playlists from the online music service Qobuz, which I sent wirelessly to the device via Bluetooth, the one-box system went one better. The extra depth, punch and precision were particularly impressive in the bass. Spotify Connect offered a comparable result in terms of sound, while Internet Radio largely corresponded to DAB+ in terms of sound, depending on the channel and data rate.
Sophisticated pieces such as “Liberty” by Anette Askvik impressed with their color fidelity, liveliness, resolution and low-frequency foundation. The expressive, differentiated and silky saxophone alone was pure splendor. If you want to enjoy music from all genres but don’t have the space for a conventional stereo system in the kitchen or study, for example, you can get an all-rounder including DAB+ and CD section for the price of a medium-sized Bluetooth speaker.

What I also noticed in the sound test: The color display can also be read very easily from a distance for the most important functions, for example when changing sources or adjusting the volume. Another thing I noticed was that I usually used the practical infrared remote control instead of my smartphone to skip tracks in my playlist.
Conclusion and alternatives
With the Quadriga, Majority has succeeded in creating an amazingly complete all-rounder that accommodates almost every conceivable source in a comparatively compact housing – from the classic CD player to DAB+ and FM through to streaming via WLAN and Bluetooth. Operation is impressive both directly on the device and via remote control. And if you want, you can use additional convenient functions such as multiroom via an app without having to log into an account.
In the sound test, the Quadriga proved to be pleasingly balanced: voices sound very natural, the bass foundation delivers both punch and punch, and even more complex pieces of music are reproduced transparently and true to color. For the price range under 300 euros, this is a level that you would expect from classic hi-fi systems with separate components. The only natural limit is the limited stereo sound stage.
The variety of programs and features of the Majority Quadriga, which are almost unbeatable in relation to its very low price, make it difficult to compare it directly. Although the excellent Cambridge Evo One offers even higher sound quality for the extra price, even the mid-range device cannot boast an integrated CD drive.
Technical specifications: Majority Quadriga
- Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: 280 Euro
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 43 x 12.8 x 28 cm
- Weight: 5.3 kg
- Special features: Bluetooth 5.0, CD drive, WLAN, DAB+ and FM tuner, Spotify Connect, warranty extension to 3 years
- More at: www.majority.co.uk




