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

Hi @bluethinker66

I own the Dynaudio HS and have also heard the QLNs. I really like the QLN sound and think you have good choices there. That said, I am unsure you will be happy going from the HS to the QLNs. A special thing about the HS is the mid/woofer - very fast and clean. You may lose that moving to the QLN. If you really like the HS and the only concern is bass, I would suggest experimenting with a subwoofer (or two). It is not clear to me that the somewhat lower bass of the QLN will give you the deep bass you want for orchestral music. You may also lose some of what makes the HS special.

@grislybutter - I have a complex relationship with my Dynaudio Heritage Specials. I sometimes go listen to other speakers at various dealers as I seek to hear and understand how different loud speaker manufacturers approach the craft. When I come home and listen to my Dynaudio Heritage Specials I'm struck by some of their qualities. They almost always sound better than what I just listened to in the showroom. 

They just don't really produce base at the level I want for immersive music. I also suspect they'd sound better with a more high powered SS system. I am running a 100 watt tube amp, which produces some nice holographic sound, but they don't feed them as well as they could. In brief, I think the Dynaudio Heritage Special speaker was designed for a 200+ SS amp. 

Selling them? I'm undecided right now... 

@wjob - I really appreciate your perspective on this! 

How would you describe the sound of the QLN Prestige Three? Especially in light of your intimate familiarity of the Dynaudio Heritage Specials?

I really like the Dynaudio Heritage Specials, but I just don't think they are ideal for my large room. I have thought about Rel subwoofers, but am a bit hesitant to 1) negotiate with my wife on bringing in more audio equipment. I fear she'll have a fit, but get over it. But those conversations are an investment, if you know what I mean... 2) fiddling with the set-up of the sub-woofers. 

That doesn't mean I won't do it! It's just that I'm probably looking to address the audio situation and move onto other things going on in life... 

@bluethinker66 

I have heard a lot of Dynaudio speakers but not the Heritage. I just read great things about it. 

I would think that they are very hard to pair with a sub(s). They are so fine-tuned that adding bass would confuse the sound. At least that's what I have been through with my Evokes. I am finally pleased with a small sub at low gain and crossover settings, not perfect but can give me the bass fix when I need it without damaging my ear drums.   

I would be curious to know how you'll proceed.  

I also never heard any Qualiton gear, pretty interesting that they came from Hungary.

 

also, I have seen a lot of comments that Dynaudio likes power. I noticed the difference between a 30Watt and 60Watt amps but they seem to be happy with 60Watts as much with a 100. Knowing the Danes, they would engineer them with solid states amps so maybe it's a tube vs SS issue?