What Hi Fi Sound and Vision
01 OCT 2009
Q Acoustics 2010
Virtually heroic at the money, the 2010s sound a cut above what the price-tag implies
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Gather round, owners of micro-systems, entry-level separates and the like. The brief list of inexpensive, effective speaker upgrades (briefer still since Tannoy contrived to up the price of its Mercury F1 Customs from £110 to £160) has been increased, by one, thanks to Q Acoustics' new 2010s.
The November 2009 issue of What Hi-fi? Sound and Vision featured the 2010s as the four corners of a very useful 5.1 home cinema set-up, and alone in the stereo spotlight they are, if anything, even more impressive.
The 2010s are a compact, smoothly finished design with thoughtfully positioned binding-posts (they're on the base of the speaker, meaning the 2010s can occupy their favourite 'close to a back wall' position without presenting too many cabling problems) as well as 'tilt'n'turn' wall brackets.
The review pair seen here cost £130 thanks to their piano-gloss finish, but bog-standard black is just £110.
Simply thrilling presentation
Playing music ranging from Reverend and the Makers' Heavyweight Champion of the World to Arvo Part's Litany, the 2010s thrill with the vigour and authority of their presentation.
Low frequencies are solid and subtle, the midrange is articulate and there's plenty of bite to the top end without any raucousness.
It's never an easy trick to pull off, but the Q Acoustics' manage to be entertaining and engaging without ever lacking poise or control.
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There's plenty of dynamic headroom available, purposeful attack and enjoyably snappy timing too.
There's not the out-and-out scale available from these boxes to fill bigger rooms, true, and the 2010s trade in a little fine detail in their quest for drive, but they're extremely capable.
Don't buy an inexpensive pair of standmounters without auditioning these first.
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