Q Acoustics 2020i
Just Tested
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Chord Electronics QBD76 HDSD
Chord’s QBD76 HDSD is a top-class converter that delivers a brilliant sound from a well-built package. It has plenty of visual appeal, too
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Hi-fi speakers
B&W 685
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Panasonic SC-BTT460
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In this month's mag
July 2013
SUPERTEST: Soundbar solutions £250-£450
GROUP TEST: 46-47in smart TVs
GROUP TEST: Standmount speakers £350-£450
© 2013 Haymarket Publishing
Comments
Hi! Would Marantz SR5200 be enough to drive them? Or would 2010i be a better option? My room is about 20 square meters big...thanks
So these are designed to be mounted on a stand? Does that mean they are not suitable as bookshelf speakers, as that it literally what I where I was going to place them and not sure I have room for stands and this would increase the price dramatically.
Yes, you can place them on a bookshelf, but we'd generally recommend putting them on stands for optimum performance.
Thanks Andy. Is this generally the rule for all bookshelf speakers, or something specific to these ones in particular? If i can't use stands, would something like the Dali Zenzor 1's or Wharthdale Diamond 9.1's or Mission MX 1's be a better choice?
Depends. Some standmount speakers are happier used close to a rear wall, and hence on a bookshelf, than others. But generally mounting them on stands is better. In this instance, the smaller Q Acoustic 2010i might be a better bet for bookshelf use if your room isn't too large. If you do go for the 2020i, you can try bunging the rear ports with foam so they don't sound too boomy on a bookshelf.
Thanks. One of the bookselves is quite deep, so there would be some breathing space at the back, if that helps? I was going to put the other one on top of a CD cabinate which is quite shallow, but i could angle it a bit away from the wall to give it some breathing space. Wouldn't blocking the bass vents with foam ruin the sound? I do like the design of these but if any of the others i mentioned would be more suitable in this set up then please let me know.
A bit of breathing space at the back will help, and either of the Q Acoustics models will be a good choice. Blocking the ports at the back doesn't ruin the sound, rather it allows you to fine-tune the bass to suit your room and the position of the speakers.
I'm trying to fix these speakers to some soundstyle z2 stands but the predrilled holes don't marry up... Can you give me any advice on how to get them fitted securely??
Thanks
John
If the holes don't line up try some Blu-Tack.
Very very underwhlemed by these speakers. The mids are great, clear and rich. The top end is pin sharp detail - and bi-wiring them works a treat. But the low end and sense of scale is just awful. I've tried them with two different amps and the bass has to be cranked up to the max. I'd say a sub woofer was definitey needed. I find the sound a little cold also. I think these would make excellent multimedia speakers for home cinema or perhaps as a mid-range addition to a computer, but considering the awards and plaudits, on which I bought them, I am feeling rather underwhelmend as premier budget speakers for a hifi. I have a cheap pair of kams that out perform them which were bought as part of a £100 kareoke system! with an amp! Can you believe that>?
I understand where you are coming from. I bought these speaketrs almost exclusively on the rave reviews. They replaced a pair of veru old celestion DL6's and the immediate comparison was similar to your own experience - they seemed very bass light. However, they did open up with playing and the bass did develop further, also positioning on stands close to a back wall also helped. I am now extremely pleased with these speakers the detail and sound staging is amazing, I think they are phenomenal value. Perhaps you just need to give them a little time to shine?
strange. i've had these for 10 months and i love them. keep thinking about upgrading because they are so cheap but then i wonder what is the point? i find them a very neutral accurate speaker. they don't dazzle you with how clear they are but sometimes that dazzling feeling is actually false. with these speakers i tend to find myself enjoying the music and forgetting hi-fi which is nice. i may experiment upgrading but yeah, they really are great. i'm using them with rega brio r which is a fantastic amp. maybe i'm mostly hearing the amp and these speakers don't colour it all which is why they sound so good? oh yeah also i did try a sub with them but didn't like it it, i think they are bassy enough as, too much sometimes. each to their own i guess!
Just bought a Denon dm38 dab, wasnt so hot with my old speakers & didnt know really where to start for a new pair. Read loads of reviews and just got more confused. Went to a small local hifi specialist who recomennded these. Got some 2.5mm oxygen free cable to go with them.
Nice sound quality, very clear generally. A bit light on the bass at low volume but thats just me being over fussy Although what bass you do hear is very smooth & rounded not boxy or booming. But when you turn them up.......Oh my god.. do these thing come into their own. The bass gets better as you go louder. For such small speakers these things really deliver. Very good for unobtrusive background radio but absolutely fantastic when you crank it up. Foo Fighters wasting light sounds mindblowing as does other stuff like Lady Gaga who Im not really into.
I'm a rock person but these are making me want to broaden my horizens just to listen to how good they are.
I have been looking on ebay for 2 weeks now and have seen none of these...must be keepers.
Is there anybody, who can advice between these two speakers
-Wharfedale diamond 10.1
-Q Acoustics 2020i
which ones sound better?
bought these on a whim, very good for the money, can get more detail or exhilaration by spending more but if you just want music at decent quality i'd recommend.
Just bought dm38 2020i qed cable package for daughter for Xmas. Set it up in the living room 5mx5m about 2m apart inside my home cinema front speaker set up, thought it sounded quite clear/detailed with decent bass turned up loud playing the wife's Whitney Houston cd's was very impressed.
Hey folks
Just wondering whether these speakers are significantly better than the Mission MX1 speakers or whether Whathifi need/want to choose a new 'Best speaker' each year.
I ask as I want to find the best speakers around £150 for a Denon D-M38DAB
Cheers Daniel
These speakers seem ace, but the only thing is they are quite deep...that's a consideration if you have smaller bookshelves
Will you be testing Q Acoustics' 2010i soonish?
Yes, a review of the Q Acoustics 2010i is on its way. We have, of course, already rated them highly as part of the Award-winning Q Acoustics 2000i 5.1 speaker package:
http://www.whathifi.com/review/q-acoustics-2000i-51-pack
Still looking forward to the promised review of the 2010i ...
The review of the 2010i speakers is in our January 2012 issue, on sale now.
Thanks, Andy.
Great, look forward to that.
Thanks Clare.
Seriously? Above the (Danish) Dali Zensor 1's?
Surprising...
Could not agree more!
We auditioned the 2020i and Dali Zensor 1 with our peachtree nova.
No contest, Dali Zensor 1's win hands down for us in this price range! Much more depth of sound.
Yep, we feel the Q Acoustics are even better than the superb Dalis. Dali did pick up a clutch of Awards this year, though