We’re big fans of Q Acoustics speakers and consider them to be the brand to beat below $1,000 right now. The British manufacturer has consistently delivered great sounding and affordable bookshelf loudspeakers for the past 4 years and we use them in our own systems for music and movie watching. The Q Acoustics 3030i are one of our favorite bookshelf or stand-mount speakers at any price and we’re pleased to see the brand new Q Acoustics M20 HD wireless speaker system just in time for the new school year.
College students and gamers don’t have a lot of room for big loudspeakers; my college-bound daughter streams almost exclusively from Spotify and her dorm system consists of an Apple MacBook, Dongle DAC, and pair of headphones.
Gamers like the teenager currently asleep in his gaming chair in our basement use a pair of headphones like the Audeze Mobius because they think big speakers are “stupid” (actual quote) and don’t fit on a media console under the television.
Out of spite, both of them are getting a pair of Q Acoustics M20 wireless speakers for Chanukah this year because I’m sick of the headphone thing.
Family counseling session over.
The M20 feature advanced driver technology, P2P™ (Point to Point) cabinet bracing and an elegant, classic design to create an affordable but class-leading wireless stereo experience.
The Q Acoustics M20 offer aptX™ HD Bluetooth® connectivity for wireless streaming of high resolution-quality audio from devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and network streamers; users can hear their favorite music streamed from popular music services such as Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Qobuz and YouTube.
The versatile M20 can also deliver sounds from a gaming console, TV, turntable, set-top box, CD player or even a DAP.
From the press release:
“The M20 are powered by a built-in amplifier (class D) providing 130 watts of digital power, the 22mm tweeter is decoupled to minimize any internal vibrations that can adversely affect the audio, while the 125mm mid/bass driver and rear-firing reflex port in each speaker combine to deliver a sound of outstanding balance and drive.”
Listeners can wirelessly stream high-resolution audio (up to 24-bit/48kHz) from any compatible device. Utilizing the USB connection from your computer or laptop raises that to 24-bit/192kHz.
You read more about the technical details below but we have a few early thoughts about the M20 and where it fits into the powered speaker category.
Q Acoustics have had a lot of success with their passive loudspeakers and we consider the 3010i and 3020i to be two of the best bookshelf loudspeakers below $350.
Where we sit slightly on the fence is with their wireless speakers that have not delivered what we consider to be “state-of-the-art” sound considering their rather lofty prices.
If the M20 can deliver the sound quality of the 3020i (or the 3030i…probably asking too much) in a wireless package for only $599 — these are speakers to put on your shortlist.
There is a lot of competition in this segment from PSB, Klipsch, Audioengine, and Kanto, so the Q Acoustics M20 need to be deliver the best of the passive models to be really competitive.
Price & Availability
Q Acoustics M20 HD wireless music system is priced £399/€499/$599 and is available in August (UK) from www.qacoustics.co.uk and local independent dealers, and in September (US) from www.qacoustics.com and local independent dealers.
Specifications
Amplifier performance
- Power output: 2x 65W
- Continuous power output (<1% THD): 2 x 32W//4Ω
- THD (at 20W//4Ω): <0.2%
- Frequency response (DSP set flat): 20Hz to 20kHz ±0.5dB
- Signal-to-noise ratio (aux, A-Wtd, max vol, ref 1W): 81dB
- Analogue input sensitivity (for 32W): 395mV
- Minijack input sensitivity (for 32W): 220mV
- Sub out (100Hz, at 32W main channels): 380mV
- Optical in: Toslink
- Optical in sample rate range: 24bit/192kHz
- USB in sample rate range: 24bit/192kHz
Speakers
- Enclosure type: 2-way reflex (ported)
- Mid-range driver: 125mm (5.0in)
- Tweeter: 22mm (0.9in)
- Crossover frequency: 2.4kHz
- Frequency response (free, -6dB): 55Hz – 22kHz
Power
- Supply voltage: 100V – 240V, 50-60Hz
- Maximum consumption: 125W
- Standby consumption: <0.5 Watts
Bluetooth®
- Bluetooth® specification: V5.0
- Wireless codecs: aptX™, aptX™ HD, aptX™ Low Latency, SBC, AAC
Dimensions
- Dimensions: 279mm (H) x 170mm (W) x 296mm (D)
- Weight: 5.1kg (passive speakers), 5.5kg (powered speaker)
Steve
November 17, 2021 at 10:50 pm
I really enjoy your reviews vlIan. Considweing sound only, not features, listening to CD’s in a smaller room, would you suggest the M20, PSB AM5, or PSB P5 or Wharfedale 12.1 with a NAD 316bee or Cambridge Audio AXA35? Thank you, Steve
Ian White
November 17, 2021 at 11:07 pm
Steve,
Whardedale 12.1 with the NAD C 316BEE V2 for sure.
Ian