Q Acoustics 2020i

I've owned Q Acoustics speakers before - the 1030i floorstanders - and liked many aspects of their sound.  Unfortunately the 1000i series tweeter lacked a bit of refinement and took the shine off what could have been a great speaker.

Fast forward to now, and I'm once again using Qs, this time the 2020i standmount.  I've thought about these so many times but ended up going for other things, thinking that a speaker of this size and price couldn't possibly be anything special.  However, after a period of being unable to live with the tiring sound of the B&W 685s, I auditioned a few different speakers around the £200 mark including the 2020i, Dali Zensor 1, MA BX2 and Wharfedale Diamond 121.  The little Qs stood out for me, with a really well integrated sound and a particular talent for soundstaging stability.

Since I bought them I've used them on the end of a Denon PMA720AE integrated, and also with Denon's DM39DAB system and with both they are great to listen to.  The soundstaging ability I heard in audition continues to impress, as does the level of detail they reveal.  These are speakers that lay everything out in front of you rather than throwing it all in your face, and yet they still manage to sound exciting.  They invite you into the music in a way that some more expensive speakers I've had haven't done and they are endlessly enjoyable to listen to over long listening sessions. They can be beautifully intimate with something like Heidi Talbot's latest album, but don't flinch from large-scale orchestral works or complex progressive rock either.  Fit and finish is very good at this price, and certainly far better than on the Wharfedale Diamond 121 which look and feel cheap in comparison (but sound very nice).

Negatives? Whilst they are capable of impressive sense of scale for their size, the Qs wouldn't suit bass-heads.  What is there is tuneful, rhythmic and provides all the foundation most people will need, but if you are into dub-step or similar you will either want to get the 2070i sub or consider the 2050i floorstanders.   The hidden speaker terminals are a slight pain - I'd rather have them on the rear panel to be honest.  The depth of the cabinets and having the cut-out for the terminals underneath, also mean that you need a speaker stand with a decent sized top-plate to make them secure.  Luckily I found my Mission '79 series stands a really good fit.

In summary, I love them like I haven't loved a pair of speakers in a long time and unless you want the full-on, bass-head adrenalin experience, I'd wholeheartedly recommend them.

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.

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

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>? 

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.

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?

Seriously? Above the (Danish) Dali Zensor 1's?

Surprising...