The X-Reference is one of the exceptions. The difference is immediately noticeable. It’s quieter, as if the equipment connected is fed cleaner power and the circuit design has lower noise.
,hi-fi+ · January 2017
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Quadraspire X-Reference 4-Shelf HiFi Rack
Available in 2-3 weeks
Regular price
$9,000.00
Unit price
Color: Black Bamboo, Black Columns
Other finishes and feet are available in our custom rack builder:
Add-On & Save
$1,999.00
$2,250.00Save $251
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Quadraspire X-Reference 4-Shelf HiFi Rack
Regular price
$9,000.00
Unit price
The Quadraspire X-Reference 4-Shelf HiFi Rack in black is Quadraspire's top-tier rack in its most common configuration: four slotted, black bamboo shelves, each resting on bronze feet above a black Nextel X frame, on 44 mm black aluminum columns and bronze-spiked feet. It stands 36.3 inches tall, ready to order as it is, made in Britain by Quadraspire, and every part of it can still be changed in our rack builder.
Key Features of the Quadraspire X-Reference 4-Shelf HiFi Rack
- Four Slotted Bamboo Shelves: Black solid bamboo ply, 23.2 x 18.5 in each, the same size as an SVT shelf.
- Bronze Under Every Shelf: Each shelf sits on four bronze feet in a black Nextel X frame instead of fixing straight to the columns.
- 44 mm Aluminum Columns: Thicker than the 32 mm columns on the SVT and Q4 EVO, in black.
- Bronze Spikes: Black aluminum feet with bronze spikes put the bottom shelf 6.3 inches off the floor.
- 175 lb Per Shelf: Each of the four levels is rated to 80 kg.
- No Parallel Lines: The curved frames, shelves and columns avoid the parallel surfaces that encourage resonance, the same idea behind most musical instruments.
- Made in Britain: Quadraspire has built its racks in England since 1995.
Who Is Quadraspire?
Quadraspire is a British maker of hi-fi furniture, founded in 1995 and now building racks in Hallatrow, England. Their argument is simple: what you place your hi-fi on affects how it performs. Quadraspire picks every material and shape to reduce resonance, with the stated goal of lowering the noise floor and opening up the soundstage. The X-Reference is the top tier of their range.
Why Bronze, Nextel and Bamboo
Each level is two parts. The columns screw into a black Nextel-coated X frame, and the shelf rests on four bronze feet set into that frame. Quadraspire's research found that bronze and brass are good materials for reducing resonance, and it is no coincidence that a lot of musical instruments use them.
The X frame is Nextel coated and built to be light while keeping its strength: one X shelf weighs 2.2 kg and holds over 80 kg.
The shelf itself is solid bamboo ply. Quadraspire tested other shelf materials, found that glass and similar surfaces resonate, and settled on bamboo because it suppresses vibration (it is also carbon neutral).
The 44 mm columns and the feet are aluminum, because steel tube can resonate and aluminum has much less resonance. The feet finish in bronze spikes.
The frames, shelves and columns are curved on purpose: parallel lines encourage resonance, so the X-Reference avoids them wherever it can.
The Spacing, Shelf by Shelf
From the floor up, this rack uses columns of 250, 250 and 200 mm. Each shelf rides on bronze feet above its X frame, so the clear space over a shelf is 70 mm less than the column: 7.1 inches (180 mm) above the bottom two shelves and 5.1 inches (130 mm) above the third. The two lower shelves take the heavier pieces, an integrated or a power amp, and the third suits a streamer, DAC or phono stage. The top shelf has nothing above it, so a turntable lid opens all the way. The bottom shelf sits 6.3 inches off the floor, and the rack is 36.3 inches tall to the top shelf.
Build Your Own X-Reference
This rack is one way to build an X-Reference. In our builder you pick the number of shelves, a 200, 250, 300, 350 or 400 mm column for each level, one of four bamboo finishes, and spikes alone or with QC or QX7 floor protectors. It draws the rack to scale and prices it as you go, and Mike can check the design before you order.
Here is the X-Reference in the other three bamboo finishes, all on black columns. Tap one to open the builder in that finish.
Add a Matching X-Reference Amp Stand
A monoblock pair or a big power amp often lives on the floor next to the rack rather than in it. The Quadraspire X-Reference Amp Stand is one X-Reference level on bronze-spiked feet in the same black finish, and adding one or two with this rack takes about 10% off each stand.
The Quadraspire Rack Line, Compared
How the X-Reference sits among the ready-made Quadraspire racks. Every one here is ready to order: four shelves, or three on the wide SV2T and SV3T, in black, with the Signature in black Nextel.
$1,920
A plain, machined bamboo shelf, 23.2 x 15.6 in, on 32 mm SV columns. 175 lb per shelf.
$2,200
The Q4 EVO's plain shelf at full depth, 23.2 x 18.5 in, on 32 mm columns.
$2,600
The slotted 23.2 x 18.5 in shelf the X-Reference carries, with its 32 mm columns screwed straight into the shelf and no X frame.
$3,400
The larger 25.4 x 22.0 in slotted shelf on 32 mm columns, the same shelf the X-Ref L carries.
$3,600
Three shelves, 26.1 in tall. Two bays side by side on a 43.5 in wide shelf, rated to 350 lb per shelf.
$5,700
Three shelves, 26.1 in tall. Three bays across a 63.8 in wide shelf, rated to 525 lb per shelf.
Quadraspire X-Reference You're viewing
$9,000
The slotted 23.2 x 18.5 in shelf on bronze feet above a black Nextel X frame, 44 mm black columns and bronze spikes. The frame is 28.3 x 23.2 in.
$9,800
The X-Reference frame carrying the larger 25.4 x 22.0 in SVTL shelf, for components that outgrow the standard shelf.
$10,800
Black Nextel shelves and X frames on 44 mm natural aluminum (silver) columns, with bronze feet and spikes. The X frames also come in orange Nextel.
Pick the X-Reference for bronze under every shelf and the 44 mm frame around the standard slotted shelf. Go to the X-Ref L when a component outgrows that shelf, or to the Signature for black Nextel shelves on natural aluminum columns. Browse every option in Quadraspire HiFi Racks.
The Listening Room Difference
We're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.
Quadraspire X-Reference 4-Shelf HiFi Rack Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Quadraspire X-Reference |
| Shelves | 4 |
| Shelf Finish | Black bamboo |
| Shelf Material | Solid bamboo ply |
| Shelf Size | 590 x 470 mm (23.2 x 18.5 in) |
| X Frame | Black Nextel, 720 x 590 mm (28.3 x 23.2 in) |
| Shelf Supports | Four bronze feet per shelf |
| Columns | SV 44 mm curved, aluminum, black |
| Column Lengths (bottom to top) | 250, 250, 200 mm (9.8, 9.8, 7.9 in) |
| Clear Space (bottom to top) | 180, 180, 130 mm (7.1, 7.1, 5.1 in) |
| Feet | Black aluminum feet with bronze spikes |
| Bottom Shelf Height | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Overall Height | 921 mm (36.3 in) |
| Weight Limit | 80 kg (175 lb) per shelf |
| Made In | Britain |
There is a clear and demonstrable improvement in the sound quality when you add the SVT Bronze upgrade shelves and then another improvement when the X Reference is brought into play.
,Hifi Pig · September 2016
Quadraspire SVT or X-Reference?
Quadraspire SVT or X-Reference?
Both carry the same size slotted bamboo shelf, 590 x 470 mm (23.2 x 18.5 in), rated to 80 kg (175 lb). On the SVT the 32 mm columns screw straight into the shelf. On the X-Reference the 44 mm columns screw into a black Nextel X frame, 720 x 590 mm (28.3 x 23.2 in), and the shelf rests on four bronze feet in that frame, with bronze spikes underneath. Quadraspire calls the X-Reference the top tier of its range, so check the larger frame footprint against your space first.
Does a hi-fi rack make a difference to the sound?
Does a hi-fi rack make a difference to the sound?
Quadraspire's position is that what you place your hi-fi on affects how it performs, and the X-Reference adds bronze under every shelf because Quadraspire found bronze and brass reduce resonance. Hi-fi+ reviewer Alan Sircom heard it straight away: "The X-Reference is one of the exceptions. The difference is immediately noticeable. It's quieter, as if the equipment connected is fed cleaner power and the circuit design has lower noise."
How much space is there between X-Reference shelves?
How much space is there between X-Reference shelves?
Less than the column length, because each shelf rides on bronze feet above its X frame. Quadraspire's drawings show the clear space over a shelf as the column minus 70 mm: a 250 mm column leaves 180 mm (7.1 in) and a 300 mm column 230 mm (9.1 in). This rack's 250, 250 and 200 mm columns leave 7.1, 7.1 and 5.1 inches above the bottom three shelves, and the top shelf is open. Columns are made in 200, 250, 300, 350 and 400 mm, so measure your tallest component, allow for air above it, and pick the column from there.
How many shelves can an X-Reference rack have?
How many shelves can an X-Reference rack have?
Quadraspire recommends no more than 6 tiers, or 1500 mm, for the whole frame, for performance and looks. Each shelf of the X-Reference carries up to 80 kg (175 lb).
Can I use the X-Reference spikes on a wood floor?
Can I use the X-Reference spikes on a wood floor?
This rack comes on bronze spikes. Quadraspire also makes QC and QX7 floor protectors that sit under the spikes, machined from solid stainless steel and designed both to protect flooring and to improve performance. In our rack builder you can choose it with QC or QX7 floor protectors.
