Feedback QLN Prestige Three Speakers Requested


Forum Members -

While I have another thread asking for general advice on speakers & preamps/power amps, I was hoping to hear feedback specific to the QLN Prestige Three speakers. I am close to purchasing a used pair and would welcome input from folks who own and/or have heard the speaker in-person. 

Based on their reviews and sound clips I've found, they appear to be what I'm looking for: 

 

  • Laid back, yet immersive sound 
  • Musical vs. analytical presentation 
  • Sounds good with tube amplification 
  • Great base for a smaller floor standing speaker 
  • On the warmer and smooth side 

At the end of the day, I'm looking for a speaker that is warm, laid back and musical. After work, while making dinner, or relaxing in the living room, I'd love the speaker to help create a relaxing and comforting environment in my household. 

Musical taste: Classical piano and cello sonatas, acoustic guitar, slowcore/shoegaze rock, bossa nova, electronica/techno and lots of 90's English guitar bands. In brief, I'd like to be able to play lots of different styles of music. I'm finding that's not the case with my existing system, unfortunately. 

I'd replace the Dynaudio Heritage that just fall short on base response... 
 

The Current System 

  • Dynaudio Heritage Special Speakers 
  • Innuous Zenith Music Server
  • Merason DAC1 
  • Qualiton/Audio Hungary Tube Preamp
  • Qualiton/Audio Hungary 100 Watt Power Amp
  • Cardas Clear Interconnect and Cardas Cygnus Speaker Cables 
  • Lessloss Power Cable for Power Amp 


**I've got a Linear Tube Audio Microzotl Preamp on the way to replace the Qualiton/Audio Hungary Tube Preamp 

My Question for Forum Members: 
What are your impressions of the QLN Prestige Three? Based on what I'm looking for, do you recommend the QLN Prestige Three? If not, what else might you recommend that fits what I'm looking for? 

THANK YOU! 
 

bluethinker66

oh, and now that you talked up your minimalist design and furniture, I'd love to see a photo of your audio setup

@grislybutter - Where in San Diego are you? North County? Downtown? I used to surf a lot at Sunset Cliffs out on Point Loma. Miss those days. Some of the best years of my life. Younger and more carefree... 

Regarding Hungary, I've been there twice and the women are stunningly beautiful! It's bananas! I'd like to go back! 

Which subs are you using? What are your thoughts on Rel subs? 

I'll try to upload a photo when I get the LTA preamp set-up in the system. Everything is on a Fern & Roby rack which I like a lot. 

@soix - Thanks! 

Yeah, I'm really curious about how the LTA will impact the system. It will be a big auditory unveiling, frankly. I'm hopeful it's a positive addition versus something I'm ambivalent about. I'd read some great things from folks who own LTA products and thought I'd take the plunge (My tube preamp was on the blink at the time and needed a replacement... That situation has been remedied so I'll have two preamps on my hands now.

And thanks for the recommendation on the SVS subs. It might be awhile before I pursue them, but I'll look into them. Did you ever try Rel subs? If so, what were your thoughts? 
 

@bluethinker66 I'm so glad you like the QLN 3s. Their emphasis on musicality over anything else is what sets them apart from other speaker manufacturers. These speakers are definitely long time companions. Congratulations and happy listening!

Regarding Hungary, I've been there twice and the women are stunningly beautiful! It's bananas! I'd like to go back! 

Ha!  I went to Budapest years ago and thought the same thing.  Tall and gorgeous women everywhere.  Who knew?


And thanks for the recommendation on the SVS subs. It might be awhile before I pursue them, but I'll look into them. Did you ever try Rel subs?

No, but I’ve heard nothing but good things although they’re quite a bit more expensive apples to apples and don’t offer any room integration software although they seem relatively easy to place given their high-level input architecture.  I mentioned SVS due to their performance/$, small size, user-friendly room integration software, and 45-day trial.  I do believe that once you hear your system with 2 subs you won’t go back.  It’s that significant. 

@bluethinker66

Bay Park, in the middle of SD proper.

Since I lived in Budapest for 30+ years I don’t know about the women being that beautiful but pretty spectacular for sure.

I tried different subs: Elac, SVS, Polk, Klipsch. I settled on a Martin Logan 700w. It was a step up from the "boom and chaos". But I need decent crossover control. Without it, generally, while the sound stage and 3D improved, it’s often sound chaos, reverb issues. Which is expected when both my monitors and the sub pound on the same frequencies and however sophisticated the Martin Logan and the placement are, it’s still not a clean soundstage.

I have a general dilemma with high quality monitors and subs: if a company invested so much in engineering two perfect speakers, who am I to mess with it and add a sub?