Q Acoustics’ New $599 Powered Bookshelf Speaker Features Attractive Design And A Hi-Res USB DAC

Q Acoustics, British Manufacturer of loudspeakers, is prepping to release a new pair of powered bookshelf speakers.

Dubbed the Q Acoustics M20, they boast a 2 x 65W digital amplifier which powers one 22mm decoupled tweeter and one 125mm mid/bass driver per speaker. The bass-reflex cabinet uses the same award-winning P2P™ (Point to Point) cabinet bracing as their passive bookshelf speakers for reduced resonance and increased image focus.

Customizable EQ/DSP allows you to select the best sound parameters based on speaker placement (corner, near wall, free space), and the powered speaker can be set as either the left or right channel so there is always an outlet nearby.

High-Resolution audio is on deck as well; both in the form of a USB DAC that handles up to 24/192 PCM and apt-X HD Bluetooth for wireless streams up to 24/48.

The Q Acoustics M20 is priced at $599 and will be available for purchase in September.

The following press release is Courtesy of Q Acoustics:

Q Acoustics M20: The perfect high-resolution wireless audio system for music, movies, and gaming

August 18th, 2021, UK – British audio specialist Q Acoustics today introduces the M20 HD wireless music system, the most powerful, immersive, and convenient way to enjoy music, movies, and gaming sound anywhere in the home. Designed to deliver stunning wireless high-resolution stereo audio, the flexible M20 harbors advanced driver technology, award-winning P2P™ (Point to Point) cabinet bracing, and an elegant, classic design to create an affordable but class-leading wireless stereo experience.

Featuring aptX™ HD Bluetooth® connectivity for wireless streaming of high resolution-quality audio from devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and network streamers, the versatile M20 can also deliver sounds from a games console, TV, turntable, set-top box, CD player, and portable music players alike.

Immersive sound for music, movies, and gaming

Whether listening to music, watching TV or movies, or gaming, the M20’s advanced driver technology is designed to produce low-distortion, precise but highly immersive stereo sound. Powered by a built-in amplifier 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. From deep but nuanced low-frequencies to its crisp, attacking highs, and with a midrange that’s simply packed with information, the M20 is always a dynamic but poised and engaging listen.

High-resolution wireless stereo experience

Hear your favorite music as close to the artist always intended: in full stereo, high-resolution fidelity. Equipped with Bluetooth® 5.0 for an ultra-stable connection and aptX™ HD technology, users can wirelessly stream high-resolution audio (up to 24-bit/48kHz) from any compatible device. Connect the M20 to a computer via USB and you can hear hi-res audio in 24bit/192kHz and savour all the detail studio-quality sounds brings.

The flexible M20 is not just about the latest wireless technology. It features enough inputs to let your TV, games console, set-top box, turntable or anything else you fancy join in the high-resolution stereo experience. There’s also subwoofer output in case you need to really shake the room. No matter what you want to listen to, M20 can handle it.

Shaped to sound better

Drawing on audio innovations from the company’s award-winning passive speakers, the M20 features cabinet technology in which every element is specified to deliver optimal audio performance. The beautifully sculpted cabinets use Q Acoustics’ proprietary P2P™ (Point to Point) internal bracing to support the parts of the enclosure that need to be stiffened, improving the focus of the stereo image and giving the soundstage more accuracy than ever before. The grille’s curved contours are also designed to disperse any tweeter activity, keeping unwanted reflections to a minimum.

Always in the right place

It’s easy to set up the M20 so the system is always performing to its maximum, no matter where it is in the room. As well as being able to designate the powered speaker as either the left or right channel (to make accessing mains power as simple as possible), there’s also an EQ switch to let the system know if each speaker is positioned in a corner, against a wall or in free space so its digital sound processing can work its magic and optimize the audio performance. And with stands and wall-brackets also available, M20 will always bring your music, movies, and games to life wherever it is placed.

Q Acoustics M20 HD wireless music system is priced at $599 and available from September from www.qacoustics.com and local independent dealers.

Technical 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)

To learn more visit www.qacoustics.co.uk (UK) and www.qacoustics.com (US)

About Q Acoustics

Q Acoustics has been designing class-leading, award-winning loudspeakers since 2006. In that time, Q Acoustics has redefined every market it has entered, from the affordable to the high-end, from stereo and home cinema sound to the revolutionary Q Active wireless audio system.

Q Acoustics’ unique approach is clear in the ground-breaking engineering and ingenious construction of its products – and the result is the most life-like, thrillingly realistic sound your money can buy,

no matter the amount you want to spend. Numerous awards from the world’s leading critics simply confirm what every Q Acoustics owner already knows: Q Acoustics builds the most innovative, high-performance loudspeakers you can buy.