The Q Acoustics 3000 Series has dominated the entry-level category for almost five years for the simple reason that it offers outstanding performance for the money. The Concept 30 that we just reviewed occupies an interesting place in their overall lineup at $1,300 USD but also puts the spotlight on the reality that there is a lot of daylight between the 3000 series and the rest of their products. The new Q Acoustics 5000 Series aims to change all of that with 5 new models that offer a significant uptick in performance without breaking the bank.
Q Acoustics have been designing award-winning loudspeakers since 2006. The new 5000 Series loudspeaker range sits between the entry-level 3000 Series and the Concept Series, while offering the flexibility for both stereo and home theater setups.
EIC Ian White and Jeremy Sikora have the 5040 and 5020 loudspeakers already at home under review and you can read our early impressions of the 5040 here.
Five Speakers
The five new loudspeakers in the 5000 lineup include the following:
- 5010 Bookshelf speaker ($749/pair)
- 5020 Bookshelf speaker ($899/pair)
- 5040 Floorstanding speaker ($1,499/pair)
- 5050 Floorstanding speaker ($1,999/pair, 2024 release)
- 5090 Center channel speaker ($599 each)
Core Features
Basic Design: At their most basic, the Q Acoustics 5000 speakers incorporate a 2-way bass reflex design with rear-facing port(s), but there are additional refinements that are intended to improve performance and add additional styling.
C3 (pronounced ‘C-cubed’) Continuous Curved Cone design for the mid/bass driver provides smoother high-frequency integration with the tweeter and superior bass dynamics. The mid/bass driver is also designed to accommodate increased power handling (up to 50% over comparable drivers from other brands). The stylish design also includes a dark acrylic baffle that mirrors the minimalist C3 Continuous Curved Cone™ profile.
New Tweeter Housing: Borrowing from the Q Acoustics Concept Series with modification, the 5000 series uses a new housing for the high-frequency (tweeter) driver. This housing hermetically seals and mechanically isolates (floats) the tweeter from the front baffle to protect it from internal cabinet pressure and resonances from the mid/bass driver.
P2P: The 5000 series speakers also incorporate Point-2-Point™ (P2P) internal bracing. This stiffens the cabinet to minimize low-frequency vibrations while improving stereo imaging and the soundstage.
HPE: For the 5040 and 5050 models, Helmholtz Pressure Equalizers (HPE™) are used to reduce internal pressure and standing waves.
Additional Features for the 5040/5050: These floorstanding models come with solid aluminum stabilizers that include top adjustable spikes for easier leveling adjustment. Durable low-profile speaker terminals provide an unobtrusive appearance, enabling the speakers to be placed closer to the wall if needed.
Finish Options: Q Acoustics is offering the following finish options for the 5000 line: Satin Black, Satin White, Santos Rosewood, Holme Oak
Specifications
| 5010 | 5020 | 5040 | 5050 | 5090 | |
| MSRP | $749/pair | $899/pair | $1,499/pair | $1,999/pair | $599 each |
| Description | Bookshelf | Standmount | Floorstanding | Floorstanding | Center Channel |
| Speaker Type | 2-way Bass Reflex | 2-way Bass Reflex | 2-way Bass Reflex | 2-way Bass Reflex | 2-way Bass Reflex |
| Woofer | 1 x 110mm (4.5 in) | 1 x 125 mm (5.0 in) | 2 x 125 mm (5.0 in) | 2 x 150 mm (6.0 in) | 2 x 110 mm (4.5 in) |
| Tweeter | 1 x 25mm (1 in) | 1 x 25 mm (1.0 in) | 1 x 25 mm (1.0 in) | 1 x 25 mm (1.0 in) | 1 x 25 mm (1.0 in) |
| Frequency Response (-6dB) | 56Hz – 30kHz | 53Hz – 30kHz | 39Hz – 30kHz | TBD | 57Hz – 30kHz |
| Nominal Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms | 6 ohms | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
| Minimum Impedance | 3.3 ohms | 3.3 ohms | 3.0 ohms | TBD | 3.2 ohms |
| Sensitivity (2.83v @ 1 kHz) | 86.3 dB | 87.9 dB | 91.5 dB | TBD | 90.5 dB |
| Recommended Amp Power | 15 – 90 Watts | 25-100 W | 25-150 W | TBD | 25-150 W |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.5 kHz | 2.5 kHz | 2.5 kHz | TBD | 2.1 kHz |
| Effective Interior Volume (Litres) | 5.0 L | 6.8 L | 27 L | 39.7 L | 7.8 L |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 264 x 160 x 263 mm (10.4 x 6.3 x 10.4 in) | 284 x 180 x 293 mm (11.2 x 7.1 x 11.5 in) | 967 x 361 x 293 mm (38.1 x 14.2 x 11.5 in) Includes spikes and stabilizer | 1017 x 386 x 336 mm (40.0 x 15.2 x 13.2 in) Includes spikes and stabilizer | 164 x 430 x 243 mm (6.5 x 16.9 x 9.6 in) |
| Weight | 5.6 kg (12.3 lbs) | 7.0 kg (15.4 lbs) | 18.0 kg (39.7 lbs) | TBD | 8.5 kg (18.7 lbs) |
Pricing & Availability
Q Acoustics 5020 standmount and 5040 floorstanding models are available now exclusively from Crutchfield, while the 5010 and 5090 models are expected by May 2023.
- Q Acoustics 5010: $749 pair at Amazon and Crutchfield (May 2023)
- Q Acoustics 5020: $899 pair at Amazon and Crutchfield
- Q Acoustics 5040: $1,499 pair at Amazon and Crutchfield
- Q Acoustics 5050: $1,999/pair at Amazon and Crutchfield (March 2024)
- Q Acoustics 5090: $599 each at Amazon and Crutchfield (May 2023)
Update: Read our in-depth reviews of the 5020 bookshelf speakers and 5040 floorstanding loudspeakers.
Both products have earned 2023 eCoustics Editor’s Choice Awards (see awards for the 5020 and 5040 here).
Home Cinema Packages
In addition to providing a great solution for stereo music listening Q Acoustics also offers the 5000 series in two 5.1-channel home theater configurations (available beginning May 2023).
- Q Acoustics 5010 5.1 (2x 5010/pair, 5090 center, QB12 subwoofer): £1,975/€2,495/$2,845
- Q Acoustics 5040 5.1 (1x 5040/pair, 1x 5010/pair, 5090 center, QB12 subwoofer1): £2,475/€3,145/$3,595
Tip: If you prefer, you can opt for the 3060S Slimline subwoofer instead of the more traditional-looking Q B12 subwoofer.
Optional Accessories: Available now from www.qacoustics.co.uk, www.qacoustics.com, and local independent dealers.
- Q Acoustics 3000FSi floor stands (pair) for the 5010/5020 are offered with a white or black finish: $239 at Crutchfield.
- Q Acoustics WB75 wall bracket (single) for the 5020/5090 are offered with a white or black finish: $89 at Amazon.
- Q Acoustics 3000WB wall bracket (single) for the 5010 are offered with a white or black finish: $32.50 at Amazon.
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