NEW SPEAKER OFFERINGS FROM Q ACOUSTICS

Julie Mullins

For those seeking to simplify their systems, or perhaps add an additional setup to their quarters, the UK’s Q Acoustics has added a “micro-tower” M40 model to their M-series wireless active-speakersystem lineup. With its hi-rez Bluetooth capabilities, it could be considered an expansion of the company’s compact M20 active bookshelf model.

The M40 is designed to be a convenient “all-rounder” system for music listening in addition to gaming and TV connectivity, so it is equipped with several connection options. Asynchronous USB 2.0 and optical S/PDIF (TosLink) inputs accept streams up to 24/192.

The M40 deploys the latest Bluetooth

5.0 version and supports aptX, aptX

HD, aptX Low Latency, SBC, and AAC codecs. There’s also a 3.5mm auxiliary input and a subwoofer output: a mix of both channels low-pass filtered at 12dB/ octave with a 330Hz cutoff.

DSP plays a role in helping the M40s sound bigger than they are. According to Q Acoustics information, the DSP uses “multiple bi-quad stages” to control the input signals for EQ and more ahead of the amplification stage. DSP includes options for room placement—“close to a corner,” “close to a wall,” or “in free space”—but Q Acoustics recommends selecting by ear. These bass-reflex speakers also come with removable port plugs to tune the bass response.

The M40s deploy the same 125mm (5") C3 (Continuous Curved Cone) mid/bass driver design found in the company’s recent 5000 series of passive loudspeakers (see below); here, two C3s are used in each speaker. A decoupled 22mm (0.9") fabric-dome tweeter handles upper frequencies.

Low-distortion digital class-D amplification, specified to output 100W of peak power and 50 watts RMS continuous, drives the speakers.

The M40s come in Black, White, or Walnut finishes and retail for $999/pair.

As this issue went to press, Q Acoustics announced a new flagship in its 5000 series, the 5050. The passive 5050 shares many of the acoustic technologies described above, including C3 drivers and a hermetically sealed, decoupled tweeter, plus what Q Acoustics calls “Point-2-Point” internal bracing and Helmholtz pressure-equalizer tubes inside the cabinet. Each speaker has two 6" (150mm) mid/bass drivers in a D’Appolito configuration with the sealed tweeter. The frequency range is specified as 37Hz–30kHz and the sensitivity as 91.8dB/1.83V/m. The 5050, which joins the 5010, 5020, and 5040 in the lineup, is available finished in Satin Black, Satin White, Santos Rosewood, and Holm Oak. The retail price is $1999/pair. ■