Majority Quadriga Review

• Straightforward and functional aesthetic
• Clean lines
• Full colour screen

The Quadriga is a tidy enough looking device. A central control panel is flanked by two square dot matrix metal grilles concealing a pair of four-inch drivers. Sandwiched in the middle is a panel with a nifty 2.8-inch TFT colour display screen, a volume/tuning dial and number of operation buttons.

Near the topside is the CD drive aperture – it’s the slot loading type we used to have in our automobiles. Another downward facing driver, also concealed by a grille, takes on the bass duties. (Majority has always historically been parsimonious with its tech specs and details, so the material composition of said drivers was not available.)

The entire body is shrouded in a black plastic one-piece surround. It’s not unattractive but note that it’s not the pinnacle of sophistication either. At first glance, I thought the shell was formed of a composite wood structure, like MDF, and along the lines of budget subwoofer frames which often give the cheapo manufacture game away.

Ideally you would like these products forged with steel frames and casings, but that’s unlikely to happen in 2025 or beyond, nor for this price. However, the 430mm wide frame is at least compatible with standard hi-fi decks, so it won’t look out of place near or in a component rack.

The device weighs 5.3 kg and therefore feels quite substantial – it won’t get knocked off its perch too easily. Its depth spans 280mm making it a bit more cumbersome than what I might class as a compact device.

While I assume you won’t be gawping at it that often, the rear side is a little pedestrian looking, although not out of keeping with the budget. You do get a stereo RCA pair, DAB/FM telescopic antenna, optical and USB (MP3) inputs. As the front panel includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and auxiliary input, there’s a fair sprinkling of external device connection options.

Four well-formed plastic/rubber puck feet will protect your wood or synthetic countertops from scratches. The remote control is the basic plastic type and with a rather crowded button arrangement, but the build quality is not dissimilar to what Majority would offer with one of its own soundbars.

Features

• Bluetooth (5.0) and Wi-Fi
• UNDOK and Oktiv app control
• Dual alarm and sleep timer

As discussed above, the Quadriga is equipped with an impressive selection of physical connections. You’ve also got the most important control buttons furnished on both the front of the unit and on the remote. Toggling through the EQ listening modes will enable you to find the best one to suit the source.

With that said, I defaulted to the ‘Normal’ setting most often as this put out a much more detailed and crisp presentation than the very flat ‘Flat’ setting. A couple of the others were also quite dubious and could lead to significantly collapsed soundstage. ‘Normal’ seems to keep the balance right and is probably the most neutral sounding of the choices.

Majority employs the Frontier Smart Technologies’ UNDOK and Octiv apps, as found on many other internet radios. The former allows device setup, Wi-Fi connection and the selection of sources, while the latter facilitates the control of, and access to, streaming services. The only in-built streaming platform is Spotify Connect, so I resorted to playing my Tidal playlists over Bluetooth.

Note that the latter version is vanilla 5.0 and not the higher quality aptX variety. Both apps worked seamlessly during testing, as indeed did Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. After the Quadriga’s initial setup, it does keep your preferences stored and ready to go for the next time.

Skimming through FM or internet radio stations either via the remote control or the Octiv app was delightfully easy. Identifying and settling in with podcasts was something of an addictive experience using Majority’s capable interface(s).

Flipping over to CD player and the slot load mechanism happily snatches the shiny disc from your fingers and plays it in short order. The point here is that the operation is fast and accommodating but be warned that it will take you a bit of time to become familiar with all the device’s functions, of which there are many.

Majority claims that 120 watts of power are distributed among the three onboard 4in drivers although, once again, there’s precious little information about frequency response or other parameters. The company provides an auxiliary cable in the box and a comprehensive user manual.

Fewer manufacturers seem to provide the latter, no doubt due to the economics. That criticism also applies mostly to the manufacturers of the Chinese OEM variety, so I applaud Majority for taking the lead.

Sound Quality

• Robust, balanced midrange
• Solid bass
• Sonorous and clear voices

With low expectations, I start to surf some internet radio, DAB outlets and preselected podcasts. It’s immediately clear that spoken voices are grounded and full-bodied. There’s also a beefiness to the music links on an extended bout of Radio 2.

This is more like the super-confident midrange that your mum’s bashed around Roberts kitchen radio used to put out. Anticipating thinness and shrillness, not uncommon with some of Majority’s speaker crop, what I hear instead is a robust and forthright sound. It’s not without some boominess at higher volumes, but a morning newscast should render just this level of authority.

It’s noticeable the Majority takes a few seconds to compute where it needs to go next after selecting a new input or change of station. But it’s good that once the device is settled on a mission, it doesn’t flinch. The next job is to try out a couple of tunes over Spotify Connect. Steve Wilson’s remix of South Side of the Sky from Yes’s Fragile album doesn’t shortchange the kick drum thuds, which can so easily sound like paper on a lesser system.

Rather, I hear a satisfyingly warm punch and overarchingly balanced panoply. That exposition applies to the ‘Normal’ mode but unfortunately not the ‘Flat’ mode which extracts much of the high-frequency flair. ‘Rock’ mode occasionally makes the grade but can lay on the bass with a trowel. There are nine modes to choose from, so have at it. You can also set up your own EQ profile.

Don’t expect earth-shattering dynamics from Quadriga but do expect a relatively neutral and engaging listen. Simple Minds’ New Gold Dream over Bluetooth, and care of Tidal, has plenty of midrange clout with an articulate bass guitar line. It’s good to hear the cowbell metronome and soaring synth strings in the upper registers get a deserved outing.

It was also refreshing to find that Ron Goodwin’s Miss Marple Theme with its piercing violin motif didn’t cause the Majority to go into spasms and break up. This treasured recorded gem of early 1960s Blighty resides on one of my USB sticks and played out with gusto via the Quadriga.

Should you buy it?