Hey 0zzy62,
In the next couple of weeks I will be getting in for review Qualio IQ SE for Stereo Times. I'll let you now what I think when I have some time to evaluate them.
Teajay (Terry London)
These speakers really intrigue me. I went to a friend’s house today to listen to the Ultra model. Man, that soundstage is phenomenal. The only thing that bothered me was the midrange was slightly anemic. Could be his amp, but other than that it’s one of the best speakers I’ve heard south of $20k. I’m soooo tempted to order their ultra version with Gaia feet. But maybe better to wait for a used one. |
@arafiq what have you heard north of $20k that you feel beats the Qualios and why? |
I said ‘south’ of $20k. I don’t think it beats $25k and above. But that’s based on one 3-hour listening session only. |
@wig Both are very good speakers. Here is how they differ. The Parsifal is very refined and relaxed. Great imaging and very engaging. Dynamics are very good, but not great. Very forgiving to bad recordings, so very easy to listen to. The IQ is very open and detailed, especially the midrange. It will play louder than the Parsifal and is more dynamic. It also pulls you into the music, but in a different way. It's a "sit up and take notice" kind of sound. Not as kind to bad recordings. So two different approaches to music reproduction. Only the listener can decide which is best for them.
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@ozzy62 thanks for sharing the feedback. Would you say the midrange is relatively thinner compared to your Parsifals? When I heard the Qualio speakers at my friend's place I felt the midrange (lower midbass area to be more precise) was just a tad bit more anemic than other speakers I've heard. It very well could be his amplification or room though. |
Thanks, @ozzy62 I have a suspicion it's my friend's amp or room acoustics then. Qualio remains high on my list of speakers I would like to own. Really love how the Qualio Ultras look but not sure if they're worth the $5k premium. Will keep an eye on the used market. |
I got my speakers last weekend- regular IQ with Gaia II feet as per the recommendation of @ozzy62 They arrived 2 days after another set of speakers came in (Omega Junior XRS). The Omegas moved to another system and the IQs are running against/with Klipsch RP 8000F II. The system is mainly Eversolo DMP A6 (standard) streamer - Topping D70 Pro Octo (DAC)- Vincent SV200 (Amp). Sometimes I replace the Vincent with the Gato Amp 150AE. Overall impressions of the IQ: mine and a few other friends who have come over to listen to them: fill the room, very clear on vocals, pleasure to listen to. The crispness (or is it crispiness - is that for food?) of the sound and the vocals is just awesome. Really enjoying. They come very well packaged. 2 wooden cabinets (cupboards would be more apt)- 60kg each. Everything has its place including the Gaia feet. Takes a bit of effort to open the cabinets and assemble them- however worth it. Comparison to the Klipsch The Klipsch give them a run for their money. IQ wins but just about. More on the vocals. Klipsch better on the bass. Basically if it is a vocal focused song then IQ otherwise the Klipsch. Love both of them. I am in a happy and more importantly after a long long time- a satisfied place. Satisfied enough that Dubai has its first large high end Hi-Fi show happening and I am not attending. Didn't compare them to the Omega's. Will try over the next few weeks. On a lark also bought Rethm Bhaava's - that are on the way from Chennai, India. Would love to comparison all four. |
Did end up going to the Hi-Fi show in the Dubai. Saw and heard a lot of speakers. Wasn't paying attention to amps that much. Stand-outs: Cantor from Germany Acoustic Energy (509) from the UK Scansonic MB1 from Denmark Axxess L1 and L3 from Denmark And one which I had never heard of: Davies from France There were many others. They were however great/excellent as expected, or too expensive or not good. KEF, Jade (Poland) etc. |
@ozzy62 the IQs are good, very good. Great to listen too. The Klipsch are too- though a bit harsh. |
@dxbwineguy @tubeguy76 Agreed, given the fact that IO being five times pricier than Klipsch 8000F II. Based on what I had auditioned in the past (in show), I was impressed and definitely would think the IO is a much better performer sonically. However, per 6 Moons, the IO is measured down below 30 hz in a relatively big room (see below), with a significant dip in 35-50 hz range. That dip will more than likely cause less weightier response in bass region in the actual listening space. Weird behavior. |
@lanx0003 yes those measurements correspond to my listening experience. The IOs are not that good in bass. Superb for vocals as I mentioned earlier. |
@ozzy62 how does one figure out if an amp is high current? I have a Gato AMP 150 and an Akitika GT102 Z4. |
thanks @ozzy62 I don't use the Akitika with the IQs. Either the Gato or I have a smaller amp- Vincent SV200. Doesn't satisfy your criteria- though I love the amp. Hybrid- lovely sweet sound. Belies it size. |