I've heard these at a hi-fi show and it is true - in terms of holographic soundstage they put almost any other speaker to shame. It is a 'life changing' experience...
I knew Qualio would impress you. The Ultra is quite bit spendy than Standard, the difference being mainly crossover parts quality, so one could start with the Standard and gradually upgrade the parts. Or... capable builders could DIY these without passive crossover and go fully active. If done well, that approach could even exceed the passives!
Had a hunch about these speakers based on just listening to RUclips demos of them. Even via RUclips they sounded much better than most other demos via the same platform.
Written review with LOTS more info, thoughts and listening notes... www.stevehuffphoto.com/2024/07/05/qualio-iq-ultra-audiophile-speaker-review-best-of-2024/
Yep, I love thin film tweeters. I have the GoldenEar BRX with AMT tweeter speakers as my LCR in my home theater 7.4.4. I also love my IsoAcoustics pucks feet which do improve the sound. Next upgrade someday will be the Borreson X1 (I prefer small 12in high speakers so I can get 3 identical speakers as my LCR).
I do enjoy your taste in the bespoke brands you choose to review and these are no exception. Very pretty and non imposing to home interior designs. People listen to open baffle every day they get into their vehicles and dont even realize it. My SUV has BOSE (ugh) free air subs in the doors, I decided to amp them with about 120watts each and I was quite impressed honestly.
Hi , im from Poland im don’t have any problems to hear qualio. I was directly compare Qualio vs La Scala. And midle from La scala excellent, but low range almost not exists. Here IQ its much better. So i have questions did you compare Cornwall vs Qualio? My amp is Line magnetic 845
@@deanbrandon3615 the triangles are indeed beautiful and wonderful but the IQs are not even close to being to large for my 13x18 room. I had issues with the bass of the Borresen x2 but these are so pure sounding, very live sounding and very composed and delicate at times. These would work well in smaller rooms than mine. So do the triangles. Not so with the X2 imo. I fixed the x2 issues in my room with the footers and love them as well. Anyway, thanks for watching. Appreciate it.
Excellent review, I feel very motivated to purchase a pair of these beautiful speakers. Looking at the specifications I see that the bass is only 32 Hz and I wonder if they would need a subwoofer for those lower frequencies?
This is Probably the first North American review I have seen of these Speakers. Not well known here in the USA. They sound great at the Munich Shows (Listening on RUclips). Would be nice to hear them on a Vinyl Set up. 👍🏽😅
now that you have both speakers. the Qualio IQ Ultra and Daniel Hertz Amber System. maybe tough to pick just one Set . but i wonder which one you like more ?. which pair really stirs your emotion ?!!. ( i learned that both speakers with the right Gears COST about the same $ ). most likely i won't hear your answer. but thought to try. thanks for the review.
Hi, because of open baffle I ask myself if they could lack of up-bass punch (kick bass). But this is also a very important part of musical fun and in most open-baffle concepts it is not discussed. What they give is low bass performance but very low bass is not what is most interessting when listening music (from my experience) Is it like that?
@hifihuff If low volume levels was a big factor (60-65db) Would you pick the Børresen X2's or the Qualio? I have a powered subwoofer so bass would not be an issue at low volumes...I am more concerned about the mid range and highs. Thanks
No, they sound incredible. Nothing is “messed up” with these at all. Read reviews online as well as owners opinions. Better yet, listen to them and see.
So can you compare these to the Mofi Sourcepoint 10's you reviewed last year? I realize the Quail's are 2x the price, but is their imaging and soundstage the much better?
Many come along that are awful. I do not review them. They get sent back. Funny how some feel there can be only one good speaker. There are hundreds of them. They all do what they do in different ways. These excel, as stated, in the imaging. Borresen X2 in punch and force. Etc etc.
Listen to them if you can. They are masters in soundstage, imaging and really painting a musical image. The one thing they lack is that mid bass hump, so they are of the open and clear variety vs the punch and slam type.
Three years ago I reviewed the LaScala and loved them. I still do love them. At that time they were up there with the best I’ve heard and still are. I’ve updated on those in a few reviews since. They were wayyyy too big for my room - couldn’t keep them as they were too hard to disassemble and move every time I had a review speaker come in. Love the LaScala but they are not the best ever. The best doesn’t exist in audio. There is a best for me, for you, but not for all. I describe what they sound like and what the experience is like. That’s what I do. Doesn’t mean there aren’t other speakers that are just as awesome. All speakers sound different and these sound nothing like the LaScala. They have bass, the LaScalas weak point as I said was and is the bass. Also the size for some rooms. I have about a dozen faves when it comes to speakers and to be a fave of mine they must have delivered a special memory to me. I’ll never forget the LaScalas but that review was a long while ago. I do reviews and things move forward: These are just as big and open sounding as the LaScala with less color in the mids. The bass on the IQ is in another league but the LaScala has its own charms. Depends on the sound you are looking for. LaScala will always be in my top ten, as will these. As will the OGY and BOB, which has been a year since they became my reference (and still are).
@@HiFiHuffwhat about the diablos utopia you never mentioned them again ? But at that time you throw a series of videos and you really looked amazed at those “little “ ones
My room is far from being fully treated. I actually had it treated and then removed the garbage that was put up as the room sounded dead. I prefer natural treatment like furniture, rugs, pillows, etc. those panels you see on my wall were $50 on Amazon. They don’t do much of anything nor did they change the sound. All you need is some natural treatments. Window shades, rugs, etc. enough to deaden any liveliness but not too much that it deadens the acoustics.
Weird, gold cables, oily caps, classy feet... but basic physical errors like non-flush drivers and other things I won't mention in detail. This is called hype, because hypes don't last long. At least it's a start.
Wanna bet I’ll own more? Sure I may. But just as with the OGY and BOB these will stay for a long while. I get to hear what you don’t :) so when something special Arrives and I can acquire it, I do. I own seven sets of speakers, three amps, two preamps, four DACs, etc. I use them for the reviews and comparisons when relevant. So yes the search is always ongoing for truly special pieces.
I owned a pair of Bastanis Prometheus OB speakers years ago, same design, so this is nothing new and they used inhouse designed drivers, great speaker but very bulky.
I do not find these to be attractive in the least. Plexiglas? No matter how great they sound, they don't get my approval even without having a spouse! Now the new Sonetto line by Sonus Faber does look great. Might be nice to see a review of one of those. The new five and eight have this very interesting looking, floral like mid-range driver
@@lsaideOK Except these will eat Sonetto for breakfast where the real competition is the reference line from SF - while still being very different, much more interesting with a price- performance ratio that's way higher.
@@marcusfordal4973 I'm interested in seeing Erin review them. Don't know who's eating whose breakfast as I have not heard the new Sonettos yet. Or the Mofis. Have you? Lots of improvements over Gen 1. The reference line is past my budget
@@lsaideOKThese are two very different levels in terms of ambition, construction, parts quality etc. The concept is also very different where Qualio is much more open and resolving due to the use of the (semi) open baffle design and AMT tweeter. Listen and find out 👍🏻😊🎵
From Quailio web site "First of all the most important - mid-range is not only an amazing Satori driver that can be considered as full-range since it offers great extension to 15 kHz and it is accompanied by Mundorf AMT driver used as a super-tweeter that covers frequency to 31 kHz. "
"The IQ Ultras also rock out but are more about that surreal holographic vibe." Maybe I missed it in your article and if I did I apologize, but I didn't see one example of music that you listened to that would even come remotely close to "rocking out." It doesn't have to be Metallica, but something that hits harder. Something more along the blues rock genre would work to give a better idea what they can do. To each their own, but Depeche Mode never has, doesn't now and never will "rock out."
I listen to all types of music every day. Rock, metal, jazz, vocal, bluegrass, and just about every genre. In my written reviews I showcase one or two tracks but listen to all genres on all gear I review and even gear I send back without a review. So yes. I’ve listened to every genre on these.
There’s a short one in this video and a full one in the members area. There are copyright laws so if I put a full song here I’d lose the $80 this video will earn me, and that’s all I earn from my reviews as I refuse to sell ads, take money for reviews and/or sell products. I feel that $80 is worth my 100 hours of time involved to do both reviews. Thanks.
The Wolf Von Lagna Son costs $20,000 with a field coil woofer and passive radiator so yeah they should sound better. What are the Qualio iq Ultra, ~$7500? Come on!
I've heard these at a hi-fi show and it is true - in terms of holographic soundstage they put almost any other speaker to shame. It is a 'life changing' experience...
@@AlexanderG-mi7ip yes they do, 100%. That’s their claim to fame, and what they excel in.
come in - there are speakers like MBL and German physiks that are omnidirectional - they dont put these to shame 😄
ye recently my flatmate got the linkwitz lx minis..i dont want monkey coffins again
100%
They look like a very lovely version of Siegfried Linkwitz's LX 521. All of us in audio owe so much to Mr. Linkwitz. R.I.P
I knew Qualio would impress you. The Ultra is quite bit spendy than Standard, the difference being mainly crossover parts quality, so one could start with the Standard and gradually upgrade the parts. Or... capable builders could DIY these without passive crossover and go fully active. If done well, that approach could even exceed the passives!
Had a hunch about these speakers based on just listening to RUclips demos of them. Even via RUclips they sounded much better than most other demos via the same platform.
I’m waiting for you to review the Diptyque speaker. I think you will be blown away.
I’ve been watching Qualio IQ and Quantum for sometime. They do look amazing.
People used to laugh when I would suggest a sub, wideband, and a super tweeter. How the times have changed 😂
Written review with LOTS more info, thoughts and listening notes... www.stevehuffphoto.com/2024/07/05/qualio-iq-ultra-audiophile-speaker-review-best-of-2024/
That 3D holographic experience is why I love tube amps, these speakers seem right up my ally.
What about compared to open baffle speakers such as the Macaria by Maco? Have you ever listened to those?
I’m not a big open baffle speaker fan but these look fascinating. I love the tweakability. Beautiful aesthetic for an open baffle.
Mundorf AMT, Satori papyrus paper midrange and a SB woofer. Nice drivers.
I'm going to build my own version of these. I wish you had shown the full assembly of them.
I listened on last High End in Munich, Impressed.
The ts A 20 is a great amp. And thats only 5 hrs of break in.
Another great audio gear from Poland 🇵🇱
Room decoration getting better and better!
Yep, I love thin film tweeters. I have the GoldenEar BRX with AMT tweeter speakers as my LCR in my home theater 7.4.4.
I also love my IsoAcoustics pucks feet which do improve the sound.
Next upgrade someday will be the Borreson X1 (I prefer small 12in high speakers so I can get 3 identical speakers as my LCR).
music source=Apple Music lossless
I agree, definitely a Top product. I also like the ACT SCM 40 that really comes close to these Qualio IQ
I do enjoy your taste in the bespoke brands you choose to review and these are no exception. Very pretty and non imposing to home interior designs.
People listen to open baffle every day they get into their vehicles and dont even realize it. My SUV has BOSE (ugh) free air subs in the doors, I decided to amp them with about 120watts each and I was quite impressed honestly.
Hi , im from Poland im don’t have any problems to hear qualio. I was directly compare Qualio vs La Scala. And midle from La scala excellent, but low range almost not exists. Here IQ its much better. So i have questions did you compare Cornwall vs Qualio? My amp is Line magnetic 845
A modern day Dahlquist DQ10?
I see that many Polish speakers win your heart
Looks like our mother country become high end capital. So many great companies there....
@@krzysztofgilowski1736 no just two. I wouldn’t call that “many”
@@HiFiHuff yes, but Poland does not make a lot of speakers. How many Polish brands have you tried?
Would you pair the Qualio IQ's with the Electrocompaniet ECI 6DXII ?
you should do a review of the bacch-sp. Use that as the reference for speaker sound staging from then on
Those look stunning and I will take you at your word on performance
Don’t just take my word. There are many reviews of the standard versions as well as user reports on them. All
Easily found online :) have a good day.
These IQ are a bit on the big side for rooms with limited space. Those Triangle 40th speakers look beautiful.
@@deanbrandon3615 the triangles are indeed beautiful and wonderful but the IQs are not even close to being to large for my 13x18 room. I had issues with the bass of the Borresen x2 but these are so pure sounding, very live sounding and very composed and delicate at times. These would work well in smaller rooms than mine. So do the triangles. Not so with the X2 imo. I fixed the x2 issues in my room with the footers and love them as well. Anyway, thanks for watching. Appreciate it.
Excellent review, I feel very motivated to purchase a pair of these beautiful speakers. Looking at the specifications I see that the bass is only 32 Hz and I wonder if they would need a subwoofer for those lower frequencies?
very nice review, is it difficult to find the right position for the speakers? Do they need a bigger distance to the wall?
This is Probably the first North American review I have seen of these Speakers. Not well known here in the USA. They sound great at the Munich Shows (Listening on RUclips).
Would be nice to hear them on a Vinyl Set up. 👍🏽😅
Thank you!
now that you have both speakers. the Qualio IQ Ultra and Daniel Hertz Amber System. maybe tough to pick just one Set . but i wonder which one you like more ?. which pair really stirs your emotion ?!!. ( i learned that both speakers with the right Gears COST about the same $ ). most likely i won't hear your answer. but thought to try. thanks for the review.
Wonderful review! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
If you have to ask how much does it cost then it costs too much as with pretty much all this ultra hifi audiophile speakers and amps.
Hi, because of open baffle I ask myself if they could lack of up-bass punch (kick bass).
But this is also a very important part of musical fun and in most open-baffle concepts it is not discussed.
What they give is low bass performance but very low bass is not what is most interessting when listening music (from my experience)
Is it like that?
The Linkwitz speakers follow similar principles, but they have acoustically smarter open baffles than these.
Well yeah, Its kind of hard to top a linkwitz design
I will collect the same thing - but only on more sensitive drivers.
@hifihuff
If low volume levels was a big factor (60-65db) Would you pick the Børresen X2's or the Qualio? I have a powered subwoofer so bass would not be an issue at low volumes...I am more concerned about the mid range and highs. Thanks
Great review!
Thank you.
why are the drivers not flush with the mounting board - thought that's a huge no-no - wont that mess up the wave propagation ???
No, they sound incredible. Nothing is “messed up” with these at all. Read reviews online as well
as owners opinions. Better yet, listen to them and see.
So can you compare these to the Mofi Sourcepoint 10's you reviewed last year? I realize the Quail's are 2x the price, but is their imaging and soundstage the much better?
Yeah, until the next speaker comes along
Many come along that are awful. I do not review them. They get sent back. Funny how some feel there can be only one good speaker. There are hundreds of them. They all do what they do in different ways. These excel, as stated, in the imaging. Borresen X2 in punch and force. Etc etc.
@@HiFiHuff Thank you for the reply. Is there some non-copyrighted music we can listen to for your demos?
A sound demo would be nice
they look great in your room.
Thank you.
Nice review! Any tips on getting drivers and crossover parts burned in?
Thanks,
Ron 👌
Listen to music :)
@@HiFiHuff
Thanks 😊
Luckily you can tune the hot treble with the resistors.
Same company makes cube Nenuphar and Nenuphar mini. Wait til you try those.
I’ve heard them :)
Purchasing new construction and these sound like candidates for the great room.
Listen to them if you can. They are masters in soundstage, imaging and really painting a musical image. The one thing they lack is that mid bass hump, so they are of the open and clear variety vs the punch and slam type.
Thanks
most open baffle speakers will put to shame boxed speakers...
What’s the song at the end?
Did you just say the Klipsch LaScala was the best speaker you ever heard?
Three years ago I reviewed the LaScala and loved them. I still do love them. At that time they were up there with the best I’ve heard and still are. I’ve updated on those in a few reviews since. They were wayyyy too big for my room - couldn’t keep them as they were too hard to disassemble and move every time I had a review speaker come in. Love the LaScala but they are not the best ever. The best doesn’t exist in audio. There is a best for me, for you, but not for all. I describe what they sound like and what the experience is like. That’s what I do. Doesn’t mean there aren’t other speakers that are just as awesome. All speakers sound different and these sound nothing like the LaScala. They have bass, the LaScalas weak point as I said was and is the bass. Also the size for some rooms. I have about a dozen faves when it comes to speakers and to be a fave of mine they must have delivered a special memory to me. I’ll never forget the LaScalas but that review was a long while ago. I do reviews and things move forward: These are just as big and open sounding as the LaScala with less color in the mids. The bass on the IQ is in another league but the LaScala has its own charms. Depends on the sound you are looking for. LaScala will always be in my top ten, as will these. As will the OGY and BOB, which has been a year since they became my reference (and still are).
@@HiFiHuffwhat about the diablos utopia you never mentioned them again ? But at that time you throw a series of videos and you really looked amazed at those “little “ ones
Nice to know they produce the same amount of air, as you have between your ears🤣🙈.
Would it work well with Pass labs?
Sure, of course. These can be powered with just about any type of amp.
Why is that AMT tweeter cover the same on both sides? .. that's strange. Shouldn't they be mirrored?
Whatever they have done, works. I wouldn’t change a thing here.
That is the way Mundorf made them.
So im assuming a fully sound treated room wouldnt be ideal for the holographic effect to be present?
I have these speakers in a fully treated room and they are very holographic
My room is far from being fully treated. I actually had it treated and then removed the garbage that was put up as the room sounded dead. I prefer natural treatment like furniture, rugs, pillows, etc. those panels you see on my wall were $50 on Amazon. They don’t do much of anything nor did they change the sound. All you need is some natural treatments. Window shades, rugs, etc. enough to deaden any liveliness but not too much that it deadens the acoustics.
Weird, gold cables, oily caps, classy feet... but
basic physical errors like non-flush drivers and other things I won't mention in detail. This is called hype, because hypes
don't last long. At least it's a start.
Doesn’t hurt these at all. The design is wonderful and the sound is superb. Someone designed these right.
Does these make you go up and dance with the appropiate music?
Sure we do it often :) I wouldn’t review speakers that didn’t. I pass on many reviews.
Make a review for 500-600$ speakers, just for the rest of us 😂
Agreed. How to set up and get the most for your hard earned dollar for an affordable price is what 99% of us out here in RUclips land are looking for.
I have and done so many times. Way less interest it seems. Views drop dramatically.
loved these but now theyve increased the price they are abit pricey.
Too expensive for these drivers ... but the cab is very nice!
Resistors to change the top end a la Magnepan
holographic is just anuza word for coloration in time and sound :)
OK. But will you record them playing? Don't worry about the room acoustics. We are adults.
Wanna bet that the search will go on?
Wanna bet I’ll own more? Sure I may. But just as with the OGY and BOB these will stay for a long while. I get to hear what you don’t :) so when something special
Arrives and I can acquire it, I do. I own seven sets of speakers, three amps, two preamps, four DACs, etc. I use them for the reviews and comparisons when relevant. So yes the search is always ongoing for truly special pieces.
@@HiFiHuffI really want you to get the Diptyque in for review. I think you will be impressed!
Love is eternal... while it lasts !
They look similar to Alon's of yore...
Cool
Look like Wolf Von Langa Son’s
Yes, but it's a rather different concept where the only real similarity is the use of the AMT tweeter.
I owned a pair of Bastanis Prometheus OB speakers years ago, same design, so this is nothing new and they used inhouse designed drivers, great speaker but very bulky.
Until the new ones come along..
Would it not be cheaper to USE them as one's coffin?
@@ReverendDr.Thomas sure if you weee 2 ft tall. Then it could work. :)
Or If Dexter Morgan were using them 😅
best hifi reviewer on RUclipss
They're only great if they SOUND great to you... There are NO best speakers, they simply don't exist.
As I’ve said for years. There is only a “best” for your own ears.
@@HiFiHuff thanks for the clarification!
I do not find these to be attractive in the least. Plexiglas? No matter how great they sound, they don't get my approval even without having a spouse! Now the new Sonetto line by Sonus Faber does look great. Might be nice to see a review of one of those. The new five and eight have this very interesting looking, floral like mid-range driver
@@lsaideOK Except these will eat Sonetto for breakfast where the real competition is the reference line from SF - while still being very different, much more interesting with a price- performance ratio that's way higher.
@@marcusfordal4973 I'm interested in seeing Erin review them. Don't know who's eating whose breakfast as I have not heard the new Sonettos yet. Or the Mofis. Have you? Lots of improvements over Gen 1. The reference line is past my budget
Totally agree about the look. I get diy vibes from the Plexiglass
@@lsaideOKThese are two very different levels in terms of ambition, construction, parts quality etc. The concept is also very different where Qualio is much more open and resolving due to the use of the (semi) open baffle design and AMT tweeter.
Listen and find out 👍🏻😊🎵
Some will hate the looks and others will love the looks. One more reason “the best” doesn’t exist.
They are not supertweeters, they are tweeters.
From Quailio web site "First of all the most important - mid-range is not only an amazing Satori driver that can be considered as full-range since it offers great extension to 15 kHz and it is accompanied by Mundorf AMT driver used as a super-tweeter that covers frequency to 31 kHz. "
How can you describe these speakers as 'totally unique' when they're basically Wolf von Langa knockoffs?
一音も聴かせてくれないのなら話にならない。
👍👍👍🎵🎵🎵💪💪💪
Certainly "very unique"
"The IQ Ultras also rock out but are more about that surreal holographic vibe." Maybe I missed it in your article and if I did I apologize, but I didn't see one example of music that you listened to that would even come remotely close to "rocking out." It doesn't have to be Metallica, but something that hits harder. Something more along the blues rock genre would work to give a better idea what they can do. To each their own, but Depeche Mode never has, doesn't now and never will "rock out."
the Designer of these speakers has a couple of Channels: QUALIO AUDIO and VirtualHIFI . you'll get plenty of sound demo. they sure are impressive.
I listen to all types of music every day. Rock, metal, jazz, vocal, bluegrass, and just about every genre. In my written reviews I showcase one or two tracks but listen to all genres on all gear I review and even gear I send back without a review. So yes. I’ve listened to every genre on these.
That wide baffle for the mid and tweeters seems to be a design flaw.
Because?
@@ReverendDr.Thomas because it is going to cause diffraction
No flaw at all in the sound. So, no flaw in the baffle at all.
@@D1N02, just like any cabinet speaker. 🔊
@@HiFiHuff physics disagrees
Sound clips please.........
Over U-toob?
There’s a short one in this video and a full one in the members area. There are copyright laws so if I put a full song here I’d lose the $80 this video will earn me, and that’s all I earn from my reviews as I refuse to sell ads, take money for reviews and/or sell products. I feel that $80 is worth my 100 hours of time involved to do both reviews. Thanks.
High quality sound comes with high quality materials and parts. Looks promising. But your review not helpful. More comparison would be helpful.
I can only compare to what I have or own. Compared them to four other speakers.
These are a knock off of a speaker that is actually much better: The Wolf Von Lagna Son.
The Wolf Von Lagna Son costs $20,000 with a field coil woofer and passive radiator so yeah they should sound better. What are the Qualio iq Ultra, ~$7500? Come on!
Did you own both Wolf VLS and Qualio in order to compare them?
Yeah!@@nick_yt23
M You ndorf! Uuuuuu, not A, not MAndorf. U Turn! YOU can say Myoundorf.😂🤣😅✌️🤭