I was in for upgrading my Mission QX2 speakers after using them for 1.5y. As it happens, I would be in Bangalore for around 2 weeks so I thought to make the best out of that time by auditioning all the stuff I possibly could, and so I did. Klipsch, JBL, Dynaudio, Acoustic Portrait, Focal, KEF, Devore, Harbeth, Triangle, Dali, B&W, Indiq Audio, Polk. Even the 3cr Focal Grande Utopia. I decided i really preferred the engaging and energetic sound over the laid back and polite kind. It was down to Focal, KEF, Klipsch or Indiq for me. But as much as I'd loved the Aria 948, RP6000F II, RP8000F II and the Kef R5, they were out of my budget and not my preferred format for my room: stand mounts. And also, they'd be hard loads for my tube power amp. So, out with them.
The demo room of Indiq represented a real-life room with no treatments and suboptimal placement and it was done on purpose to hear the speakers in their "worst". While it may sound counterintuitive it really does make sense. Heard the Diamond Achals, Signature Mishra V1 and V2. For me, V2 was the one to get. While I loved the RP600M II and SMV2 both in the demos, choosing between them was quite difficult as in the end, while demos are way better than blind purchases, they still tell nothing unless placed in your own room with your own electronics. In the end I went for the SMV2 because I feared the RP600M II would become too overwhelming for long term use and they're not what I would call, tonally correct. The SMV2 even in suboptimal placement left me floored with its performance.
What follows is the performance in MY room, with MY electronics, and judged as an entire system [my room is more or less treated with room decor items and speakers are placed optimally]. My chain: Foobar WASAPI (shared) -> SMSL SU8 V2 -> Anode Acoustics 6SN7 Tube Preamp -> Anode Acoustics EL84 Tube Poweramp (12Wpc, Class A PP) -> Indiq Signature Mishra V2.
I've now owned them for around 1 month and clocked in many hours of listening. Not only does it sound leaps and bounds ahead than what I'd heard in the demo, it sounds even better than the big boys (based on what I'd heard in the demos). And the construction/finishing on these speakers are no lesser than the foreign brands either. Even after inspecting closely I could find no deformity, abnormality in the construction. It's robust and beautiful with very good build quality. Coming to sound, I'm getting just as much as resolution as the Focals and KEFs while being more transparent and tonally correct/even. And dynamics almost on par with the Klipsch-kind. It's as if the speaker borrowed all the good qualities of the 3 while rejecting their pitfalls. And this is such an easy load to drive as I'd opted for the 8ohm variant (dips at 5.7 minimum) with 92dB/W sensitivity. My 12W EL84 power amp paired with these can easily reach deafeningly loud levels with absolutely no strain or compression in the sound. The drive, punch, elasticity and dynamics can be overwhelming to some, it is sometimes a bit overwhelming even to myself when playing at loud volumes. The speaker is a tube amp owner's dream. The sound is definitely not warm, it keeps you awake and at the edge of your seat without ever sounding slow and dull. It's hyper detailed but without the fatigue. It sounds at least as detailed as the most detailed and resolving headphones and iems I've heard till date (and I have heard some of them even in the kilobuck+ range), while maintaining a better tone. While I haven't judged my electronics in isolation (it's not possible to do so either), I still think that the speakers heavily reflect the sound of the upstream chain, so I would suggest building a worthy chain for this if one is looking to get these speakers.
On an ending note, I'd like to comment on what it was like to deal with Amit. He's the kind of man I can trust because he is logical, and his conclusions and comments on anything audio is purely scientific. I personally prefer dealing with engineers over dealers who throw flowery audiophile BS left and right and would even try to sell you their underwear if possible. And more importantly, while I am sure he would love to sell you some speakers, he is truly far more than just a businessman. He is a friend, and conversations extend far beyond just audio and/or purchases. From helping me choose custom laminate, answering all questions, it was a breeze, and I can safely rely on Indiq because of their customer-first business model.
The demo room of Indiq represented a real-life room with no treatments and suboptimal placement and it was done on purpose to hear the speakers in their "worst". While it may sound counterintuitive it really does make sense. Heard the Diamond Achals, Signature Mishra V1 and V2. For me, V2 was the one to get. While I loved the RP600M II and SMV2 both in the demos, choosing between them was quite difficult as in the end, while demos are way better than blind purchases, they still tell nothing unless placed in your own room with your own electronics. In the end I went for the SMV2 because I feared the RP600M II would become too overwhelming for long term use and they're not what I would call, tonally correct. The SMV2 even in suboptimal placement left me floored with its performance.
What follows is the performance in MY room, with MY electronics, and judged as an entire system [my room is more or less treated with room decor items and speakers are placed optimally]. My chain: Foobar WASAPI (shared) -> SMSL SU8 V2 -> Anode Acoustics 6SN7 Tube Preamp -> Anode Acoustics EL84 Tube Poweramp (12Wpc, Class A PP) -> Indiq Signature Mishra V2.
I've now owned them for around 1 month and clocked in many hours of listening. Not only does it sound leaps and bounds ahead than what I'd heard in the demo, it sounds even better than the big boys (based on what I'd heard in the demos). And the construction/finishing on these speakers are no lesser than the foreign brands either. Even after inspecting closely I could find no deformity, abnormality in the construction. It's robust and beautiful with very good build quality. Coming to sound, I'm getting just as much as resolution as the Focals and KEFs while being more transparent and tonally correct/even. And dynamics almost on par with the Klipsch-kind. It's as if the speaker borrowed all the good qualities of the 3 while rejecting their pitfalls. And this is such an easy load to drive as I'd opted for the 8ohm variant (dips at 5.7 minimum) with 92dB/W sensitivity. My 12W EL84 power amp paired with these can easily reach deafeningly loud levels with absolutely no strain or compression in the sound. The drive, punch, elasticity and dynamics can be overwhelming to some, it is sometimes a bit overwhelming even to myself when playing at loud volumes. The speaker is a tube amp owner's dream. The sound is definitely not warm, it keeps you awake and at the edge of your seat without ever sounding slow and dull. It's hyper detailed but without the fatigue. It sounds at least as detailed as the most detailed and resolving headphones and iems I've heard till date (and I have heard some of them even in the kilobuck+ range), while maintaining a better tone. While I haven't judged my electronics in isolation (it's not possible to do so either), I still think that the speakers heavily reflect the sound of the upstream chain, so I would suggest building a worthy chain for this if one is looking to get these speakers.
On an ending note, I'd like to comment on what it was like to deal with Amit. He's the kind of man I can trust because he is logical, and his conclusions and comments on anything audio is purely scientific. I personally prefer dealing with engineers over dealers who throw flowery audiophile BS left and right and would even try to sell you their underwear if possible. And more importantly, while I am sure he would love to sell you some speakers, he is truly far more than just a businessman. He is a friend, and conversations extend far beyond just audio and/or purchases. From helping me choose custom laminate, answering all questions, it was a breeze, and I can safely rely on Indiq because of their customer-first business model.
