QLN Speakers anyone

I heard the floorstander model at the NY Audio show two years ago, and was very impressed. I do recall they sounded a little bit held back, either by the equipment or cables

-or, they just sound that way. In which case, I would be disappointed.

I would expect the bookshelf version to have the same 'house sound'.

YMMV.

In any case, I would be interested in hearing your opinion of them.

Bob

II have the QLN Sonora and the QLN Prestiege 5’s

The Sonora are in my main system (I know) powered by my Audio Hungary Qualiton X200 Integrated. The pairing is much better than when I had the 5’s in this system. Have no idea what @gdnrbob is talking about unless the amp driving the QLN at this NY Audio show was under-powered for an inefficient speaker like the 3 and 5’s.

My Prestige 5’s are in my 2nd floor system being driven by a Simaudio 700i V2 and the 700i did a much better job driving the 5’s that the X200.

I listen to all types of music and prefer Tubes over SS. Country of origin will have very little to do with how a speaker will pair with in amp. It is efficiency and horsepower,

With an H-120 no way I would pair that with the Prestige 1.

Bob,

your description matches what my dealer said.   According to him the bookshelf has the same flavor as the floorstanders, and the sound is characterized by a wide, well defined soundstage, but is a bit laid back.  We’ll see, but I tend to like that.

not that particular model, but the one thing I remember about the bookshelf speakers on offer was the expansive sound stage and the disappearing act they pulled off..

@kingofgix 

The guys at Part Time Audiophile have reviewed the 1's, 3's and 5's so you might want to check out what they thought and what they drove them with.  Dave McNair comfortably drove the 3's with a Qualiton tube amp and the Van Alstine Control amp.

Yeah, QLN is one of the very few brands where there’s just nothing but glowing reviews and one of the very few speakers I’d buy confidently without even listening.   The others are Joseph Audio, ProAc, Vandy, Usher, and Verity Audio, but I’d be hard pressed to hear you’re any less than thrilled with QLN.  I think, even before break-in, you’re gonna hear an expansive 3D soundstage that makes the Harbeth sound relatively constrictive.  I think you’ve made a great choice and would love to hear your feedback as QLN doesn’t get near enough exposure here in the US IMHO (along with Usher) so your thoughts would be extremely valuable!

Michael Lavorgna at Twittering Machines lists today that he has the Prestige Fives in the Barn for review.

I personally own a pair of the Prestige Fives driven by Jeff Rowland preamp and power amps and am most happy with the sound quality. For their size the speakers have a strong and tight bass response as well as wide sound stage. The speakers have a very lively sound and do a good job pushing out the music!

I've owned QLN Signature Splitfield IIs for almost 25 years and they're excellent speakers. I heard the latest from QLN at CAF 2019 ... don't recall the model, but it was one of the best sounds at the show, for me. Similar in presentation to Audio Physic speakers....a wonderful disappearing act.

I am getting very excited to get a listen to the QLNs.  They shipped today….

I will definitely give a report.

I have spent a day with the QLN P1s.   Quick summary is that are good monitors and probably warrant the cost. The midrange is very solid and natural sounding, soundstage and image are good, and they excel at laid back music like Bill Evans, Diana Krall, Laura Marling, etc. However, they are VERY “laid back” and lack IMO sufficient detail, air and punch to be considered a great all around speaker.

They do not generate excitement so much as a relaxed satisfaction.  Case in point.  On the BS&T song God Bless the Child, when the horns first come in I am used to feeling their impact and “punch”, and it puts a smile on my face.  On the QLNs they had no impact.  It was as if something was missing compared to other speakers I have had in my system.  
Dealer says the P3s will have a similar sound profile, which is good, and will add more detail and punch due to a better crossover and larger cabinets, plus better foundation (the P1s are sitting on stools, not optimal).  I am undecided.  If the P3 substantially improved on the P1 weak points, I think I would be happy with them.  But if the improvement is only minor I am not sure.

I think I may try a pair of Zu Soul VI before I make a decision.  

I think I may try a pair of Zu Soul VI before I make a decision.  

I wouldn’t do that.  You need to give the QLNs at least 150 hours before judging them.  If they don’t warm up to you I’d highly recommend Verity Audio.  Highly musical and detailed with an incredible 3D soundstage.  But, my bet, as the QLNs break in you’re gonna be pretty happy.  My speakers sounded broken until I had 100+ hours on them and thought I made a horrible mistake.  Give’em some time!

Give them time, if I wasn’t so happy with my Graham Audio speakers, I would definitely buy me some QLN, had the old signature speakers for many years, lovely sound.

Thanks.  I have been playing the QLN even when I am not in the room and the hours do seem to be improving the sound.  They are good speakers, but I am going to try the Zu as well.  Can’t hurt, and they have a 60 day full refund policy.  I will keep the QLN for another week so I can do some side by side compare.  I expect they will be very different, so should be fun.  
I will report back again.

Gryphon and soix,

You are both correct.  The QLN are really improving with time.  The “laid back” sound and lack of detail that I perceived earlier are dramatically reduced now.  Detail and image have both improved.  They are going to be hard to beat, and I would be happy with them long term.  Will still be trying the Zu, though, because they have already shipped.  

Speakers are the one combo to get really right in a system, my

experience is that speakers that wow you from the get go

seldom satisfy for long term.

Also speakers take time to get right, maybe you need to place them

a bit differently than the pair you had before and maybe a different amp

would be interesting to try with the speakers just to see if

the tone would change.

Just take your time and enjoy 😉

I have QLN Prestige 5 driven by LTA ultralinear integrated. My amp is only 20W but it drives Prestige 5s without any problem. My room is reasonably big (20x20x18) and opens to the kitchen. I never had volume go above 50%. These speakers like good room between them the back wall, so make sure your space can accommodate it. Overall, I love these speakers, best I have heard

I've heard the Prestige3 and 5, separate times.   The sound gives good imaging but the highs are rolled off.  I haven't see a review which provides measurements.  The 5 has a warmer sound --- quite noticeable --- which is not to my taste.  I do own Harbeth's and love them.

@kingofgix What happened with your Zu and Qln comparison?

Just curious, what amp/preamp/source is in service with these speakers?