Am I crazy- Speaker Upgrade Qute?

Posted by: Brubacca on 31 October 2018

I'm finally in a really good place with my Qute. I have been bouncing around with this system for over 3 years, swapping speakers, external dacs and external amps.  I have finally arrived at a good place.  I get lots of enjoyment every day with my system.

Basically I am running the Qute with a pair of Dali Zensor 3.  I literally have "better" speakers parked in the basement because they are not as fun as this combo.  Here is the crazy part, I am really happy with everything except my low frequencies, which the Zensor 3 just don't have.  

Is it crazy to just throw in the Zensor 7 or do a slight upgrade to the Oberon 7?  I definitely have the room size for those speakers.  They would do a better job of pressurizing my large room.  I would expect them to stat very similar sounding to what I already have with just the added bass extension and second mid-bass driver and cabinet volume.

Or should I leave well enough alone and just enjoy what I have?

I have zero interest in adding a subwoofer.

Posted on: 31 October 2018 by spurrier sucks

I have Totem Mites on my Qute and they are bass shy as well. I picked up a cheap Pilk sub to play around with. Turns out it works great. Took a little to get it dialed in but all sounds good to me now. Maybe don’t close the door on a sub til you give one a shot. Unless of course you’ve already gone that route. 

Posted on: 31 October 2018 by Richieroo

Adding bigger speakers .....will not not necessarily do what you think.....good small speakers can be livelier ... fun and image just great. I suggest a good sub.... have a look at SVS ..... expect to pay around £1500 for a unit with decent power and equalisation....which is essential. 

Posted on: 31 October 2018 by yeti42

It might not be as much fun, a small speaker has some advantage, particularly at the budget end,  in that there’s less cabinet to vibrate and muddle the sound and possibly a simpler crossover. A home demo would be essential or you could end up adding to your basement collection. A bit of careful positioning could make the most of the bass available from the 3s.

Posted on: 31 October 2018 by Bob the Builder

Definitely add a sub try and get one from the Dali Zensor range or one with room correction you have the pre out on the Qute so you can connect it there. I had Q Acoustics Concept 20 with a Qute which I really enjoyed and Like you wanted a little more bass so I bought a Q Acoustics sub a huge thing that wasn't a popular domestic choice but sounded really very good when I got it set up properly.

Posted on: 01 November 2018 by Perol
Brubacca posted:

I'm finally in a really good place with my Qute. I have been bouncing around with this system for over 3 years, swapping speakers, external dacs and external amps.  I have finally arrived at a good place.  I get lots of enjoyment every day with my system.

Basically I am running the Qute with a pair of Dali Zensor 3.  I literally have "better" speakers parked in the basement because they are not as fun as this combo.  Here is the crazy part, I am really happy with everything except my low frequencies, which the Zensor 3 just don't have.  

Is it crazy to just throw in the Zensor 7 or do a slight upgrade to the Oberon 7?  I definitely have the room size for those speakers.  They would do a better job of pressurizing my large room.  I would expect them to stat very similar sounding to what I already have with just the added bass extension and second mid-bass driver and cabinet volume.

Or should I leave well enough alone and just enjoy what I have?

I have zero interest in adding a subwoofer.

If "fun" is the key-word you might look for some non ported speakers like Heybrook HB1, Snell/AN-K, some older Monitor Audio and others, larger size than Dali

Also older Royd bookshelfs were great choices

Posted on: 01 November 2018 by hungryhalibut

A small amp and small speakers are never going to pressurise a large room. A small amp and large speakers probably won’t do it either. Adding a sub will extend bass but won’t add drive. Might a SuperUniti be in budget? It would provide a lot more power and would drive both the Zensor 3s and much larger speakers a lot better. 

Posted on: 01 November 2018 by Brubacca

The most I could do beyond the speakers is Nap100, Nait 5si, Nait XS (preloved) or Rega Elex-R. 

 

I have tried a Martin Logan Sub, but could never get it to sound right to me, which is why I want floorstanders.

Posted on: 02 November 2018 by analogmusic

try one of the dynaudio speakers from the Emit range

These are not bass shy and will be just as much fun.

Posted on: 04 November 2018 by Derelict

Dynaudio emit M20, fantastic speaker.