Qualio IQ owners, still happy?

Did my first listen but still have some work cut out.

https://youtu.be/gY5ZkLSVNfA?si=V7yIux-KVZPU6f7k

Well I have an analog rat shack meter and a test tone file from qobuz. So it's not the greatest situation, but I've done it before. It's just a chore and I probably won't do it. I can tell you this. I sold two 15" subs that I was using previously with some horns. And although the IQs don't quite dig down like they did, I don't miss them much at all. The bass is full and present when called for.

Yes but for approximately half hour. I doubt anyone could hear everything within that short period of time. Can you?  

I realize that this might be too much to ask. Please don't bother with it. I believe soon someone besides 6 Moons will measure it. The unofficial ones are not trustworthy anyway. 

Well you said you heard them at a show. Did you hear it?

OP, it is very weird.  For 10 dB drop, one really could not miss it if real, isn't it?

Could you measure and post yours just to clear things up? I’d appreciate it.

@lanx0003 

Thanks, yes that seems strange. It seems that Srjaen didn’t notice the dip while listening. I don’t notice anything like that in my room either.

my first post in your post, OP.

@lanx0003 

Where is this measurement?

@teajay Still believe they are excellent speakers with no major or minor flaws in their presentation of music.

I auditioned this speaker before and generally agree with your perception. Audiophiles trust that you provide an unbiased assessment, especially regarding the critique of light bass and the previously measured bass dip in the 35-50Hz range.  Thx.

@teajay 

When can we expect the published review?

@teajay 

Thanks!

Wig

Hey Wig,

Don't know if the review pair were broken in or not. However, have scores of hours on them now and really have not noticed a significant difference in their performance. So, either they had hours on them already or it does not take very long to get them to really open up. Still believe they are excellent speakers with no major or minor flaws in their presentation of music.

@teajay 

Was your review IQ already broken in and if not, what are your observations on time needed to burn-in crossovers and exercising those Satori drivers?

Thanks,

Wig 😊

@teajay 

Good to hear and look forward to your review.

Wig

Good to hear @teajay Looking forward to the review. Still enjoying mine.

Finally got my review pair in last week. So far regarding build quality, and more importantly performance, this is a very musical speaker that does everything right with no major flaws at all. I also think they are very reasonable priced for what they can compete with. Ultimately, they will get a very positive review in the near future when I write.

Teajay 

@ozzy62 I enjoy them a lot. Everyone who listens to them is blown away- including me. As I said earlier, I prefer it for vocals. Love the Axxess L3s also. Completely different sound signature between the two. The IQs, I think a lack a little in bass and when I feel so, then I switch to the L3.

I did get the Rethm's for a few days. Didn't have space in the house so let them go yesterday.

Also on IQs the wife loves it- the looks. Which is saying something. 

@dxbwineguy 

Any more thoughts on the Qualios?

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.

A good indication is if it doubles power as it halves the load.

Twice the power at 4 ohms from 8 ohms.

Your Gato amp comes close. The Akitika is probably not a good choice with the IQ.

@ozzy62  how does one figure out if an amp is high current? I have a Gato AMP 150 and an Akitika GT102 Z4.

My thoughts on the IQ were similar when using 150 watt tube monoblocks. But using the high current SMc modified DNA 0.5 changed that opinion.

@lanx0003 yes those measurements correspond to my listening experience. The IOs are not that good in bass. Superb for vocals as I mentioned earlier. 
A few minutes ago I received another speaker- Axxess L3. Beautiful. Huge on bass. I have just listened to them for 2 minutes for now. Will let them break in.

@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.

Keep listening, it gets better. The IQ with a beefy amp gives up nothing to my former Lascala IIs, and betters them in many areas. I just wish they could be driven by SETs, like the LS. But using a heavily modified SMc amp really makes them sing and eases the pain of not using low powered tubes.

@ozzy62  the IQs are good, very good. Great to listen too. The Klipsch are too- though a bit harsh. 
haven’t done much listening last few days. Waiting for the weekend. Looking forward to the Rethms too. 

@dxbwineguy 

Anything to report with more hours on the speakers. I would assume they have pulled away from the klipsch speakers quite a bit by now.

The Qualio's are still satisfying. Every change made in the rest of my setup are clearly audible with this semi open baffle speaker.

After capacitor burn-in and many days of woofer exercising, the low frequency will become tighter and more impactful as time goes along

Wig

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.

I'm not sure if that's good for Klipsch or bad for IQ.

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.

@dxbwineguy 

Good to hear the IQ are sounding good right out of the crates; they will sound even better after those capacitors hit 250+ hours...

Wig🎵🎶

soon. should have them by mid next week. 

I would be interested in your opinion of the Rethms. Their speakers have been on my radar a time or two.

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.

@teajay 

Do you have the speakers in for review yet?

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 don't find the midrange of the Qualio anemic or lacking at all. In fact, it has more texture than a lot of speakers, which makes them sound more real. The Parsifals have a smoother midrange and I guess some listeners would prefer that.

@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.

@ozzy62

Many thanks!

Wig👍

@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.

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. 

@ozzy62

So far, how are the Qualio IQ stacking up against your Verity Audio Parsifal Ovation?

Thanks,

Wig

@arafiq what have you heard north of $20k that you feel beats the Qualios and why?

@dxbwineguy I sent you a PM. I don’t like to discuss price in the forum.

I’m sure you can get them factory direct for the retail price inclusive of shipping to Dubai. Whatever you do, make sure you get the Gaia II footers. They make quite the difference.

@ozzy62 can I ask how much did you get them used for? also which country are you based in? I am in Dubai- trying to find them- used is going to be tough but still looking...

regards

Manu

@arafiq

Thanks for your insight; sounds like you can tune to your liking with components, cables or for me and the old school audiophiles, tubes 😊

Wig

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. 

Not sure why he sold them, I didn’t ask. There was another pair on audiogon a couple of weeks ago but they sold pretty quickly.

Wow, That's a pretty new model to pick up used....Why did the original owner sell them ...He couldn't have had them for very long....I haven't noticed any used ones on the market.