Audiovector QR3 SE loudspeaker

This is a HiFi Review of the Audiovector QR3 SE floorstanding loudspeaker. It is in a product range that features the QR1 SE, 5 SE, and 7 SE. The QR range has received a Special Edition, SE, badge in the last few months with a few tweaks to upgrade a range of loudspeakers that was in any case rather special. HF&MS reviewed the standmounted QR1s (not SE) in August last year, and they were described favourably as vigorous and energetic in the review. The range also includes a QR WALL SE, QR SUB SE and a QR C SE (centre speaker) for the home cinema set-up.

Design

These QR3s now have an SE badge, but what’s new? It is worth noting what has not changed; the QR3 SEs still have a three-driver, two-and-a-half-way downward firing bass reflex design with a mid-range and bass driver. The AMT tweeter is retained with the gold membrane (as described in the QR1 review). They are still fairly easy driving with 90 dB/W/m and 4Ohms impedance with a frequency range quoted to an improved bass response of 28-45 kHz (previously 30Hz).

The cosmetic differences are subtle, the rear panel has changed barely, and the binding posts appear to be the same. The cabinet has a little ‘Special Edition’ badge on the bottom of the front grille and my pair has the same brass-coloured badge at the base of the cabinet.

However, Audiovector say that they have;

reworked capacitors using new in-house design feature in the crossover network. These double cryogenic polypropylene tin-flash copper capacitors are especially useful in extracting the most from that outstanding AMT folded Mylar and gold tweeter. With restructured capacitors within the crossover network, these speakers represent a leap in audio technology.

The crossovers are now placed at 400Hz and 3000Hz (previously 800Hz and 3000Hz).

Quality

The finish of these loudspeakers is still flawless. There is a cloth grille supplied.  They are available in piano black, dark walnut and white silk.

The Audiovector QR3 SE dimensions are 94.2 x 19 x 23.2cm (H x W x D). I can’t seem to track down the weight of these loudspeakers but they’re probably about 15kg, they are easy to shift around, being mid-sized.

Renaissance Audio, and others, retail these Audiovector QR3 SE at £2,400 (March ‘24).

The full Audiovector QR3 SE specification is here.

Performance

Review Equipment

I’ve been using my older Naim Classic set up with the NAC-N 272 preamplifier with external power supply and the ‘outdated’ NAP 250. I then switched the SEs to the New Naim Classic 200 Series, the NSC 222 preamplifier with the NSC 300 power supply and the new NAP 250.

Latterly I’ve been using the Moon 250i v2 integrated amplifier with the NSC 222 analogue as a source.

I’m fortunate to have Atlas Mavros cabling generally, the Mavros interconnects were needed for the 250i v2.

Physically

As I have mentioned the QR3s are easy to shift about, Audiovector have a great unboxing experience that is simple and effective. These spikes are modest and, fortunately for me, rounded. I’m generally a grille-off reviewer.

Old Naim Classic

….a stunning fast bass response in my room…

Running the loudspeakers in for a while with the old Naim Classic stack the speakers sounded great from the outset. I was getting a surprising amount of bass response in my room. I set about constructing my Playlist for the QR3s, thinking I’d use the previous QR1 playlist however I then stumbled upon an interview with Mads Klifoth, Audiovector’s CEO and owner. The interview was in 2021 and was conducted by Alan Sircom.

The resultant playlist included Serve My Thirst (Qobuz 16-bit, 44.1kHz) by the absolutely mental outfit, Infected Mushroom. Their music is essential subwoofer review music but here with the QR3 SEs I was getting a stunning fast bass response in my room, and I was slightly taken unaware by the response. Inevitably, I added Bliss on Mushrooms (Qobuz 16-bit, 44.1kHz) to the Playlist. This bass response is perfectly managed with the reflex port pointing down towards the fixed plinth, where the spikes are fixed.

These speakers, after a proper run-in, are not just big bass in this system but there is a very precise and pleasant midrange and vocal response here as well. The subtlety and beauty of Diana Kralls’s A Case of You (Qobuz 16-bit, 44.1kHz) are so warm in this presentation.

Dominique Fils-Aimé’s Birds (Qobuz 24-bit, 88.2kHz) offers a wonderfully wide soundstage for me here as well, though this soundstage is best delivered with the QR3 SEs fractionally toed in for me here, I’m around 3m away from the loudspeakers with them a good 2.5m apart.

New Naim Classic

…lovely presence and bass control…

Moving the QR3s easily into my listening room is a physically comfortable exercise. With the same tracks but with the New Naim 200 series I enjoy the same sense of detail and midrange clarity though the bass response is less evident. I’m concluding this is a response to a change of room layout (they are still 2.5m apart and a good 3m away), furniture and crucially, I suspect, the new NAP 250 amplifier driving the 3s differently, despite the apparent increase in claimed power output. My NAP 250 review is not concluded yet but I’m sure this new 250 is firmly one step back but two steps forward, moving the Naim sound signature closer to MOON’s smoother delivery.

Nevertheless, the new NAP 250 retains lovely presence and bass control in Ariana Grande’s track eternal sunshine (Qobuz 24-bit, 48kHz) from the album of the same name. The track illustrates just how controlled and dynamic these new QR3 SEs are. Making sure the bass response is there is the job of Billie Eilish’s Bury a Friend (Qobuz 24-bit, 44.1kHz) and, sure enough, these 3 SEs deliver the requisite sternum rattle.

Moon 250i v2 integrated amplifier

I feel the vocal performance in the SE… are more compelling to me…

Slipping in a re-settled Moon 250i v2, which is possibly a perfect partner to these loudspeakers in price terms, a smooth and spacious soundstage is offered by the combination and the likes of Diana Krall occupy the centre of the soundstage nicely.

It is time now to see how the old QR3 perform next to the new SEs having had them whilst reviewing the 250i v2. The new crossover moving down to 400Hz in the lower midrange appears to benefit the vocal with Diana Krall’s deeper tone in the SEs. A play with Billie Elish’s Bury a Friend reveals little discernible difference between the two loudspeaker siblings. I feel that the vocal performance in the SE, for example with the selections made by Mads like Springsteen, Colter Wall, and Krall are more compelling to me. The treble retains its sparkle.

Is there more bass extension in the SEs? Maybe, but there’s not a great deal in it for me. I feel the advantage of these SEs is in the midrange, this is where this loudspeaker excels.

Musical Interlude

Here’s the Musical Interlude Playlist.

Thoughts

The new SE is all good, I’m not getting a great deal extra in the bass if I’m being really honest with myself over the original 3s but I find the balance of the bass response with the midrange is rather pleasant indeed, that AMT tweeter is still the star of the show.

In terms of amplification, don’t tell Naim, but I think, with these loudspeakers, I might prefer the old Naim Classic NAP 250 amplifier to the new Series 200 NAP 250! The partnership with the MOON 250i v2 though is particularly sweet. If you are looking for high performance, this is a satisfying combination, though still a major investment (especially if you can afford MOON’s digital 280D source).

If you have the original QR3s, I wouldn’t be cursing the Audiovector executive here, you have a lovely pair of loudspeakers. A friendly retailer will help you trade up and trade in, I am sure. Renaissance Audio has loaned me these QR3 SEs, and they are very friendly!

Overall

The midrange is smooth and the upper midrange and the highs are sparkling.

I am very impressed with Audiovector, their ranges, pricing profile and the style.  Having heard many of Audiovector’s products, like the top-of-the-range R8 at Ascot last year and the excellent QR1s and now the 3 SEs, there is an attention to detail in their thinking that is hard to ignore.  The Audiovector QR3 SE share the dynamism and vibrancy of the QR1 sibling with that chunk of bass that we all need. The midrange is smooth and the upper midrange and the highs are sparkling.   The 3s are perfect in size for most lounges I would suggest and they are particularly aesthetic in such surroundings, compared to others.

Specification

Full details are on the company’s site.