FWIW. When I had my V3, it was actually the Piano Cera which prompted me to order the Contriva. If anything, it was the previous Magicos I owned that had that faint scrim mentioned. An ever present lingering haze to their upper bass through mid which held back from my ultimately enjoying the system, more so the V3, and to a lesser extent the Mini2. Listening to the Piano minus those artifacts was a revelation then.
Upon receiving my Contriva, I was then asked to describe differences by fellow members, which I reluctantly commented simply by just saying--more connectedness to the music and felt as if veils have been lifted--finally! Yes, it is imo that much better, but then again so what, that it too cost much more comparing them would be meaningless based on pricing alone.
Now, the Q series I'm sure is a different and much improved animal. And if they are what they are reputed to be--would make a much more valid comparison. But still, we all hear things differently. And as far as me goes, I have neither the urge nor wants to make that comparison anymore. I've hopped off the speaker-go-round. Hope and pray! ;))
Re the Piano sounding loose, there is this variogain bass tuning incorporated. I see that in the review the reviewer chose the setting with that slight bass boost rendering a slightly relaxed yet looser presentation. Having one port plugged, could actually tighten things by quite a bit, less boost, but bass will tighten and go down noticeably deeper too. I guess the reviewer's room is on the large side thus dictates/preferred the use of previous setting.
