British producer Q Acoustics has a wealthy heritage with regards to producing top-tier speakers for hi-fi methods.
With the M20 HD audio system, the corporate guarantees a simple, one-box resolution for music listening, TV, films and gaming.
Because of the inclusion of Bluetooth 5.0 and no further amplifiers required, we’re hoping for that signature Q Acoustics sound with out the effort that always comes with conventional hi-fi methods.
Over the previous couple of weeks, we have been utilizing the audio system with a wide range of totally different gadgets to see how they carry out.
Pocket-lint
Q Acoustics M20 HD
Really useful
The Q Acoustics M20 HD audio system punch nicely above their value level with regards to audio high quality, they usually look beautiful, too. Should you can reside with out the trendy conveniences of sensible audio system, you may get some unbeatable sound in your cash.
- Unbelievable sound high quality
- Minimal and engaging design
- Nice connectivity choices
- Glorious worth for the efficiency
- Bluetooth 5.0 wi-fi playback
- Old fashioned speaker wire connecting the 2 audio system
- No sensible performance
- Non-removable grilles
Design
- Dimensions: 279 x 170 x 296mm
- Weight: 5.1kg (passive speaker); 5.5kg (powered speaker)
- Finishes: Black, White and Walnut
Followers of the Q Acoustics model will really feel proper at residence with M20s, because the design may be very paying homage to the model’s longstanding 3020i bookshelf audio system.
Nonetheless, on this mannequin, the grilles aren’t detachable for some cause, which we thought was a disgrace. They give the impression of being engaging sufficient with the covers in place, although, so most customers will not be deterred.
The opposite key distinction is that these audio system are energetic, whereas the 3020i audio system require a separate amplifier.
This implies one of many models has an amplifier built-in, and it additionally has a small management panel on the highest with quantity controls and a multi-functional energy button. You do not want some other equipment – these work indepently of some other equipment.
We’re testing the white model, which we predict will mix in fairly properly with a variety of fashionable residing rooms, however the M20s are additionally accessible in walnut or black to match different decors.
They’ve a really clear and minimal aesthetic, with gentle rounded corners and solely a skinny aluminium strip to interrupt up the in any other case single-colour chassis.
The audio system come equipped with an influence cable, some primary speaker wire, foam bungs and an infra-red distant.
They’re additionally marketed as wi-fi, however the actuality is that they profit from Bluetooth supply connectivity.
You may nonetheless want to attach them to the mains, in addition to join the left and proper with good old school speaker wire.
The speaker terminals have a pleasant, low-profile design, and the massive floor space makes putting in the speaker wire a breeze. There’s assist for banana plugs, too, if you need a quick-swap resolution.
The included distant works successfully and is simple to function. It will have been good if the color was matched to the audio system, however it seems that a black distant is supplied with all fashions.
Regardless, it is simply on par with remotes supplied with energetic audio system at twice the associated fee and provides loads of comfort.
Sound efficiency
- Tweeter: 22mm (0.87 in)
- Mid-Bass Driver: 125mm (4.92 in)
- Frequency response: 55Hz – 22kHz
- Peak Energy: 2 x 65w
Merely put, the Q Acoustics M20 HD audio system sound very good – particularly given their comparatively inexpensive value level.
The efficiency is definitely on par with some audio system that we have examined at double the worth, making them a compelling worth proposition.
The sound is detailed and spacious with a pleasant stage of heat that makes the music really feel wealthy and alluring. At decrease volumes, we felt the audio system lacked a little bit of low-end grunt, however cranking them up a bit delivers the fullness that we have been searching for.
Vocals have loads of presence and there is some heat to the mids that enables for readability with out sibilance.
This attribute is helpful with regards to watching TV or films, permitting you to listen to dialogue clearly, with a pleasing pure tone.
Additionally useful is the width of the soundstage, which is equally efficient in music listening and content material watching.
It is not on the stage of Dolby Atmos methods, after all, however there’s outlined directionality that matches the motion on display screen. This additionally implies that the M20s are fairly efficient as a gaming companion.
To all however essentially the most analytical set of ears, the M20s produce a sound that is arduous to fault.
Options and connectivity
- Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD and Low Latency assist
- USB (24bit/192kHz compatibility)
- Digital optical (24bit/192kHz compatibility)
- Stereo RCA and three.5mm
Lots of the audio system that we check right here at Pocket-lint are full of sensible options, app assist and streaming performance, however the Q Acoustics M20s take a really totally different strategy.
You may profit from Bluetooth 5.0 as your solely wi-fi connection, and that is supplemented with an abundance of wired connections.
The actual fact is, these audio system are for the kind of shopper that locations a excessive worth on audio constancy and, even in 2023, that is finest achieved with wired connections.
The array of ports on supply means that you will have no difficulty connecting the audio system to a PC, Mac or TV in addition to extra severe Hello-Fi tools like a CD participant or turntable (with a pre-amp).
After all, Bluetooth streaming is essentially the most hassle-free possibility for cell gadgets, and the aptX HD assist implies that you may be getting respectable high quality from supported gadgets.
Nonetheless, as we talked about, for severe audiophiles, cables are the best way to go.
The M20s additionally function a subwoofer output, so in case you’re craving some further bass, it is simple so as to add a sub to your set-up.
We would notably suggest wanting into it in case you’re utilizing the audio system for movie-watching or gaming.
For music listening, although, the 125mm driver can present sufficient low finish to fulfill most ears.
Verdict
The Q Acoustics M20 HD audio system ship outstanding sound high quality – particularly given their affordable value level. Should you’re searching for a set of powered stereo audio system, these ought to be excessive in your record.
They’re equally succesful for music listening or used as a soundbar different. They is perhaps a implausible addition to a gaming PC setup, too, offered you may have the area to accommodate them (they’re pretty sizable in comparison with regular PC audio system).
The M20s do not supply something within the realm of sensible options or multi-room assist, as a substitute selecting purely to give attention to the fundamentals. You get a big selection of wired connections that permit for connecting to virtually any supply, plus the comfort of Bluetooth once you want it.
Q Acoustics has valued sound above all else, and that is resulted in some very good sounding audio system at an important value, as long as you are keen to forego the trendy bells and whistles.
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