1. A method for quantizing a vector corresponding to an input signal, the vector having a plurality of components corresponding to an n-dimensional space comprising: recursively dividing the n-dimensional space into a plurality of equal spaces having one dimension less than a previous recursion until a plurality of end spaces is formed, each of the plurality of end spaces being two-dimensional; and asynchronously comparing the plurality of components in each of the plurality of end spaces to determine a sub-space of a particular end space of the plurality of end spaces having a closest match to the vector.