Qln, Joseph Audio, Audiovector, Marten, or Canton...?


I am looking to upgrade my speakers. My amp is an NAD M10 with Dirac Live room correction, so bass response is adjustable to an extent.

For domestic tranquility they must be relatively compact with a wood finish. Floorstanders, not standmount. Budget of up to $15k-ish, but less is better.

My list consists of the following:

  • Qln Prestige 3
  • Joseph Audio Perspective 2
  • Audiovector R3 Arrete
  • Marten Oscar Duo
  • Canton Reference 7K

Any and all impressions of these speakers, particularly any comparisons between them, are very much welcome. Thank you!

mrdseitzer

I have only heard JA Perspective 2 on your list.  I can't recall the electronics and cabling used but they sounded very nice.

I am a Thiel guy so they were definitely in that vein - clear, open, and utterly transparent.  

My preference would be the Spendor D9.2.  

Clarity, refinement, superb imaging, efficiency and microdynamic speed.  Best feature is a bottom firing flared port that has sub bass extension that mimics a transmission line.  

Of the ones on your list I have not heard the Cantons but unfortunately have quibbles with certain sound qualities of each of the remaining.  

I've recently been looking for speakers with WAF very strong constraints.

My first selection included Spendor 9.2, Wharfedale Elysian 4, Audiovector R3 Arreté and Marten Oscar Trio.

I mainly listen to classical music. I listened to these speakers with Accuphase E-380 or E-650.

My clear selection was Marten. They are very neutral, the stage was stounding and they tend to disappear; I really forgot that I was analyzing equipment and went just into enjoying the music.

I listened to Marten Oscar Trio also with Canor Audio 1.20: astounding. The demo room of the retailer and the rest of the equipment was really, really good but I fell in love with the speakers and the amplifier.

Ilistened also the Oscar Duo but they did not like me like the Trio, at all.

I have heard QLN Prestige 3 (dealer in Austin) and currently own the Joseph Audio Perspective2 speakers. They are both amazing speakers in their own right. Keep in mind that Prestige 3 is a two-way floor stander, whereas JA P2 is definitely a full range speaker.

Since I heard the Prestige 3 at a dealer, feel free to take my impressions with a grain of salt. I really loved it ... it has a warmer, mid-range focused sound that I absolutely loved. The top end is somewhat subdued but not in a bad way. It is very smooth and refined sounding. And, oh, the bass on the speakers is amazing. If you have a sufficiently powerful amp you won’t need a sub despite the fact that it is a 2 way.

The Joseph Audio Perspective2, on the other hand, I feel has a more modern, clean, and balanced sound. It does not sound overly neutral (if that is a thing) or even remotely shouty by any means. Two outstanding traits: vocals (better than my Harbeth SHL5+ and M30.1), and percussion. Of all the speakers I’ve owned, I have never heard a speaker reproduce the sound of kickdrums, snares, and cymbals more realistically than the Perspective2. The soundstage and imaging is some of the best I’ve heard. They do require some breath room though (mine are almost 4.5 feet from the front wall and 2.5 feet from the side walls), otherwise bass can be a bit unruly.

To be honest, both are great speakers and I could have been happy living with either one. At this price point, you really need to audition before you buy. Good luck!