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Qualio Quanteen
Polish manufacturer of unusual loudspeakers, Qualio, has introduced the Quanteen, its first bookshelf speaker and one of the more interesting attempts to bring the open-baffle concept into a format that is easier to integrate into a smaller listening room. The brand, previously associated mainly with unconventional open-baffle loudspeakers, has prepared a model for listeners looking for a spatial, natural and unforced presentation without having to place large floorstanding speakers in the room. The Quanteen is therefore a monitor only in name and size, because its architecture clearly departs from the usual two-way speaker enclosed in a conventional box. It is a compact semi-open design in which the midrange and treble section operates as a dipole, radiating sound both forward and backward. According to the manufacturer, this solution is responsible for the three-dimensional, holographic soundstage, the reduction of colorations introduced by traditional cabinets and the greater sense of freedom usually associated with larger open-baffle loudspeakers.
Qualio is a high-end loudspeaker brand whose products rely heavily on unusual acoustic architecture, carefully selected components and broad customization options. The Quanteen carries this philosophy into a more room-friendly form while retaining solutions known from the company's larger models. The most important element of the design is the dipole mid/high-frequency section. Treble is handled by a Mundorf AMT driver which, according to the manufacturer's data, reaches up to 31 kHz. The use of an AMT unit in an open configuration is important for the sonic character of the speaker, because this type of driver is valued for its speed, low moving mass and ability to reproduce detail freely. In a dipole arrangement, it can also contribute to a wider and deeper soundstage. This architecture is intended to eliminate some of the resonances and distortions associated with conventional enclosures, filling the room with sound in a more spacious way than standard monitors of similar size.
Bass and midrange duties are handled by a 6-inch SB Acoustics Satori driver. Qualio claims bass extension down to 35 Hz, an ambitious figure for a cabinet measuring 48 x 20.2 x 29.5 cm. Of course, compact monitors should not be expected to replace large floorstanding speakers in every room and under every condition, but Qualio clearly does not treat the Quanteen as a small speaker designed merely to cover the midband. The bass is described as fast, tight, articulate and precise, suggesting that control and dynamics are being prioritized over any artificial inflation of scale. The design is completed by a crossover using components from brands such as Mundorf, Jantzen and WBT, along with internal wiring made from pure copper. The manufacturer also emphasizes its factory-direct sales model, suggesting that this allows higher-grade components to be used at a given price point than might otherwise be expected from a speaker of this size.
In terms of specifications, the Quanteen is an 8-ohm design with a sensitivity of 86 dB. Each speaker weighs 8 kg. These figures suggest that the new Qualio monitors should work best in a carefully matched system, partnered with a capable amplifier that can provide control and dynamic headroom, rather than being treated as easy-to-drive speakers for an arbitrary setup. The Quanteen can be ordered in standard Black Satin, Black Gloss, White Satin and White Gloss finishes, as well as in special satin or gloss colors and natural wood veneers in satin or gloss versions. Available veneer options include oak, walnut, ash, rosewood and Indian apple, with each pair finished in natural veneer having its own individual character. In Poland, the Qualio Quanteen is available from €5,200 per pair in its base finish. Converted directly from that European price, this corresponds to approximately $5,620/£4,470, although official US and UK pricing has not been listed separately. Info and photos by Qualio.
