Quested VQ3100

[fyzzz]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been considering upgrading my speakers for both music listening and movies, and recently came across the Quested VQ3100 (an update to the V3100).

From what I understand, Quested speakers are known for their natural, musical “British sound”—detailed without being overly analytical or fatiguing. They also seem to offer strong imaging and soundstage, with a more relaxed listening experience compared to some other popular brands (for example, Genelec).

I saw that the VQ3100 was introduced in China around 2022, and it appears to feature a completely new tweeter along with a custom 3” midrange driver compared to the V3100. However, there’s very limited information available online.

If anyone here has experience with the VQ3100 (or has heard it), I’d really appreciate your thoughts!

Thanks in advance!

 

[LTig]

I found only data about the VQ3110 and its price in Germany. Comparing the rather crude looking wave guide (if it is one) with the similar sized Neumann KH420 I think the latter is the more promising buy, and its measurements are state of the art.

 

[VTKZ]

I think if you're considering spending almost €10,000 on a pair of speakers, you should definitely have them shipped to you and not ask in a forum whether they sound good

Everyone perceives sound differently, room acoustics and calibration also play a big role (the biggest). So many factors.

So! Order it, calibrate it to your listening position, and test it at home. Sorry but that the only correct way.

 

[staticV3]

Lab tests of one of Quested's other monitors suggest they do not have the engineering prowess to charge anywhere near what they do for their designs:

Quested S8R 2-way studio monitor measurements by Sound & Recording

Profile Quested S8R - Rosewood Edition Frequency range: 34 Hz - 22 kHz (-6 dB) Ripple: 7.9 dB (100 Hz - 10 kHz) Hor. aperture angle: 120 degrees (-6 dB Iso 1 kHz - 10 kHz) Ver. aperture angle: 120 degrees (-6 dB Iso 1 kHz - 10 kHz) Max. useful volume: 107 dB (3 % THD 100 Hz - 10 kHz) Bass...

www.audiosciencereview.com

If you want good sound for an appropriate price, better look elsewhere.

 

[DSJR]

Quested used to exhibit a very 'dry' sound I remember. Reproduction of reverb and venue atmosphere not necessarily being a strength unless played at a high level. Maybe they've improved in recent times?

 

[fyzzz]

I think if you're considering spending almost €10,000 on a pair of speakers, you should definitely have them shipped to you and not ask in a forum whether they sound good

Everyone perceives sound differently, room acoustics and calibration also play a big role (the biggest). So many factors.

So! Order it, calibrate it to your listening position, and test it at home. Sorry but that the only correct way.

I’ve already spoken with a local distributor and they’re setting up a demo for me, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to hear about others’ experiences right?

 

[fyzzz]

I found only data about the VQ3110 and its price in Germany. Comparing the rather crude looking wave guide (if it is one) with the similar sized Neumann KH420 I think the latter is the more promising buy, and its measurements are state of the art.

I've seen posts from 10+ years ago and used KH420 to compared to V3100 (last generation), and from I read, KH310 are providing a better experience than KH420 as KH420 is pretty old nowadays... Would you compare VQ3100 to ATC SCM25A or ATC50? I've read nothing but good about ATC, the only complaining is the lack of low end on them. My other candidates are Kii seven, Dutch dutch 6c, which all have pretty good reviews, the advantages are DSP (could be an disadvantage too because of the heavy dependence on the software) and cardiod room control.

 

[fyzzz]

Quested used to exhibit a very 'dry' sound I remember. Reproduction of reverb and venue atmosphere not necessarily being a strength unless played at a high level. Maybe they've improved in recent times?

It's interesting that you mentioned about volume, I've read reviews on Chinese audio forum saying VQ3100 makes you want to turn up the volume because you'll hear more details and bass. I’ll be at AXPONA next weekend as well—kind of a shame Quested never seems to attend any shows in North America.

 

[LTig]

I've seen posts from 10+ years ago and used KH420 to compared to V3100 (last generation), and from I read, KH310 are providing a better experience than KH420 as KH420 is pretty old nowadays...

You cannot trust "experiences" from reviewers who do not measure speakers or listen to them non blind and without proper controls. Although the KH420 is not a new speaker it is still one of the very best. Neumann usually manufactures models for 10 years minimum. I own the K&H O300D (predecessor of the KH310) for 22 years and they are still very good.

Would you compare VQ3100 to ATC SCM25A or ATC50? I've read nothing but good about ATC, the only complaining is the lack of low end on them.

ATCs are over priced.

My other candidates are Kii seven, Dutch dutch 6c, which all have pretty good reviews, the advantages are DSP (could be an disadvantage too because of the heavy dependence on the software) and cardiod room control.

Kii seven are very good but pricey and cannot play as loud as the KH420. The latter goes down to 26 Hz anechoic which is certainly better for movies than the Kii.

For a better recommendation you should state your rooms size and proportions.

 

[dfuller]

Quested is trash - some of the worst speakers I've ever used. If you want the "British" sound in a speaker, you want ATC, who are far more competent at designing speakers.

Even better the KH420 is head and shoulders better than everything else you're considering in terms of SPL handling and overall tonality. It's also newer than the KH310, not older, and is far higher performance in terms of SPL handling and low end extension.

The Kii Seven is very spl limited in the low end, it must be crossed to subs.

 

[fyzzz]

You cannot trust "experiences" from reviewers who do not measure speakers or listen to them non blind and without proper controls. Although the KH420 is not a new speaker it is still one of the very best. Neumann usually manufactures models for 10 years minimum. I own the K&H O300D (predecessor of the KH310) for 22 years and they are still very good.

ATCs are over priced.

Kii seven are very good but pricey and cannot play as loud as the KH420. The latter goes down to 26 Hz anechoic which is certainly better for movies than the Kii.

For a better recommendation you should state your rooms size and proportions.

My current listening space is a little over 200 sq ft (roughly 15×14), and I’m planning to place the speakers by the TV. I tend to move every few years, and while I’ll likely change spaces in the foreseeable future, it probably won’t be any smaller than this.

The Kii Seven and Dutch & Dutch caught my eye because they’re essentially “plug and play” and require minimal room treatment (right now I just have a rug in front of the speakers). KEF LS60 is also on my list.

I’ve had my KH120 for about 10 years now, and I’m hoping my next setup will last at least that long, if not longer.

I also agree that Kii is pricey, especially knowing that the original Kii Three launched at roughly the same price as the current Kii Seven.

 

[LTig]

My current listening space is a little over 200 sq ft (roughly 15×14), and I’m planning to place the speakers by the TV. I tend to move every few years, and while I’ll likely change spaces in the foreseeable future, it probably won’t be any smaller than this.

The Kii Seven and Dutch & Dutch caught my eye because they’re essentially “plug and play” and require minimal room treatment (right now I just have a rug in front of the speakers). KEF LS60 is also on my list.

I’ve had my KH120 for about 10 years now, and I’m hoping my next setup will last at least that long, if not longer.

I also agree that Kii is pricey, especially knowing that the original Kii Three launched at roughly the same price as the current Kii Seven.

Well then, if you like the sound of the KH120 the KH420 would be the logical choice for this (and larger) rooms. You will need room EQ though as the 420 can trigger room modes the 120 can't.

 

[sidechain]

Quested is trash - some of the worst speakers I've ever used. If you want the "British" sound in a speaker, you want ATC, who are far more competent at designing speakers.

Even better the KH420 is head and shoulders better than everything else you're considering in terms of SPL handling and overall tonality. It's also newer than the KH310, not older, and is far higher performance in terms of SPL handling and low end extension.

The Kii Seven is very spl limited in the low end, it must be crossed to subs.

And yet Serban Ghenea, the most in demand mixer in pop music swears by the V3208s. ATC speakers are a status symbol in the music industry, Quested speakers are not. I guess someone’s trash is someone else’s treasure.

 

[LTig]

And yet Serban Ghenea, the most in demand mixer in pop music swears by the V3208s. ATC speakers are a status symbol in the music industry, Quested speakers are not. I guess someone’s trash is someone else’s treasure.

Preferences vary wildly and are not based on science.

 

[sidechain]

Preferences vary wildly and are not based on science.

And scientists don’t make hit records.

 

[LTig]

And scientists don’t make hit records.

Hit records? Those ones plagued by loudness war which are almost unbearable to listen to on decent systems?

 

[fyzzz]

Well then, if you like the sound of the KH120 the KH420 would be the logical choice for this (and larger) rooms. You will need room EQ though as the 420 can trigger room modes the 120 can't.

I’m hoping Neumann will update the KH420 soon, similar to what they recently did with the KH120, and that they’ll likely add DSP as well. Based on the KH120’s update interval (~13 years), it probably won’t be too long before they announce updates for the KH310 and KH420. Of course, this is just my hopeful speculation and not based on any concrete data - no one knows when the new products will actually be announced.

 

[sidechain]

Hit records? Those ones plagued by loudness war which are almost unbearable to listen to on decent systems?

Thats a mastering concern…

 

[Woofersnoofer]

Hans Zimmer uses them too. Personally i don't mind them if you fill in the dip at 4k. Still, it's an old school design philosophy... their plate amps are very reliable though.

 

[dfuller]

And yet Serban Ghenea, the most in demand mixer in pop music swears by the V3208s. ATC speakers are a status symbol in the music industry, Quested speakers are not. I guess someone’s trash is someone else’s treasure.

Serban uses ProAcs, not Quested. But anyway.