But during that time the company also been quietly working on a product considerably more upscale, though still affordable in a marketplace now glutted with products at if-you-have-to-ask prices. The result is the Concept 500 ($5999.99/pair), first seen in the UK in 2017 and recently made available here. But you won't find it at your local audio shop (if you…
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Q Acoustics was founded in the UK in 2006, but has appeared on the radar of US buyers only in the last few years. Until recently, Q has aimed its efforts at the budget sector, earning enthusiastic reviews and commercial success.
The source was a Marantz UD7007 universal BD player, connected to the Marantz pre-pro with a coaxial digital link for CD playback. (All recordings mentioned in this review were on CD.) The wiring was Kimber Kable AGDL digital coaxial from source to pre-pro, Cardas Hexlink interconnects from pre-pro to power amp, and AudioQuest Rocket 88 from amp to speakers.
The Concept 500s were positioned about 9' apart and 11' from the main listening seat, toed in to aim directly at it. The front baffles were about 5' out from the front wall, and the tweeters were 36" above the floor. While the…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Three-driver, two-way, floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1.1" (28mm) tweeter, two 6.5" (165mm) mid/woofers. Crossover frequency: 2.5kHz. Crossover system: fourth-order acoustical. Bass function: rear port. Frequency response: 41Hz–30kHz, –6dB/+3dB. Sensitivity: 90dB (conditions not specified). Impedance: 6 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum. Recommended amplification: 25–200W.
Dimensions: 45.3" (1150mm) H (including plinth) by 7.8" (200mm) W by 13.8" (350mm) D. Weight: 92 lb (42kg).
Finishes: Gloss Black with rosewood veneer, Gloss White…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Source: Marantz UD7007 universal BD player.
Preamplification: Marantz AV8805 preamplifier-processor.
Power Amplifier: Outlaw Model 7220.
Loudpeakers: Monitor Audio Silver 10.
Cables: Digital: Kimber Kable AGDL (coaxial). Interconnect: Cardas Hexlink. Speaker: AudioQuest Rocket 88. AC: Manufacturers' own.—Thomas J. Norton
Sidebar 3: TJN'S In-Room Measurements
To provide a picture of what the Concept 500s sounded like in my room. I ran a number of in-room measurements on the Q Acoustics Concept 500s using the OmniMic test system from Parts Express. I took all of these at my main listening seat, with the speakers positioned as they were auditioned.
Figs. 1 and 2 show the left- and right-channel responses of the Concept 500s, taken at an average of 10 positions around the height of my ears when I'm seated, and with the speakers' HF jumpers set to "+". All results shown here were 1?6-octave smoothed.…
Sidebar 4: Measurements
I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the Q Acoustics Concept 500's frequency response in the farfield, and an Earthworks QTC-40 microphone for the nearfield responses. Q Acoustics specifies the Concept 500's sensitivity as 90dB/W/m; my estimate was close to that, at 89.2dB(B)/2.83V/m, which is usefully higher than average. The Concept 500's impedance is specified as 6 ohms, with a minimum magnitude of 3.7 ohms. Fig.1 shows how the Concept 500's impedance and electrical phase varied with frequency with its reflex port open.…
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