AXPONA 2023 is the place to be for audiophiles. We cover the show’s launch of the Q Acoustics 5000 Series and Audeze MM-100 headphones!
Earlier this week, we wrote about the World Premieres of the new 5000 Series speaker line from Q Acoustics and the new $399 MM-100 Headphones from Audeze, their first full-sized headphone to retail that low. Both were set to debut at AXPONA 2023 yesterday, and we got to look at both. So here are our first impressions!
AXPONA 2023 Debuts: Q Acoustics 5000 Series
As we said in our article earlier this week, Q Acoustics has recently introduced a fresh collection of audio speakers for home cinema and stereo use. The new 5000 series integrates the brand’s latest innovation, the C3 Continuous Curved Cone™ design, which promises to deliver an exceptional audio experience and surpass its competitors. Furthermore, the range incorporates advanced driver and cabinet technology from the flagship Concept line, ensuring top-notch sound performance.
The design of C3 Continuous Curved Cone™ is characterized by a continuous and smooth profile with a single curve. This design ensures that the tweeter is seamlessly integrated and improves the bass dynamics.
To prevent internal cabinet pressure and vibrations from the mid/bass driver, the high-frequency driver is enclosed in a sealed housing isolated from the front baffle. The cabinet is also strengthened with Q Acoustics’ internal bracing system, Point-2-Point™, which reduces low-frequency vibrations and improves soundstage and stereo imaging. In addition, the 5040 and 5050 floorstanding models include Helmholtz Pressure Equalisers (HPE™) to minimize internal pressure and standing waves.
The flagship 5040 floorstander ($1499/pr.) was on display at the show, driven by some heavy-hitting high-end electronics from Soulnote. The 5040 employs two 5-inch woofers and a 1-inch tweeter arranged in a D’Appolito configuration, which is nothing new for Q Acoustics. They use this arrangement (which works to control tweeter dispersion) on all their floorstanding models.
Regarding electronics, Soulnote is a relatively new company from Japan that employs former engineers from Marantz. In the chain with the 5040’s was the Soulnote A1 Integrated Amp ($3999) and the Soul Note D-1 DAC ($6999). It was some impressive stuff, but I couldn’t help but think it was a bit of overkill, matched with a pair of speakers that cost less than $2000.
That said, it did show that the Q Acoustics’ could scale up. I did feel like the speakers were holding the electronics back somewhat, but they did sound very smooth and had a nice wide stage with excellent focus. In addition, the resolution was excellent, and the transients were very well-defined (check out our demo clip).
They were more refined than I remember the 3000 series being and seemed to sound slightly more natural than the flagship Concept speakers, although nowhere near as transparent. I want to get a pair of these in the house and more listening time.
Q Acoustics 5040 Specs:
- Bass unit 2 x 125 mm (5.0 in)
- Treble unit 1 x 25 mm (1.0 in)
- Frequency response(-6dB) 39 Hz – 30 kHz
- Nominal impedance 6 Ω
- Minimum impedance 3.0 Ω
- Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1kHz) 91.5 dB/w/m
- Recommended amplifier power 25-150 W
- Crossover frequency 2.5 kHz
- Effective volume 27 L
- Dimensions (per loudspeaker / HxWxD)Inc spikes and stabilizer: 967 x 361 x 293 mm (38.1 x 14.2 x 11.5 in)
- Weight (per loudspeaker)18.0 kg (39.7 lbs)
The 5000 series speakers come in several finishes, including Satin Black, Satin White, Santos Rosewood, and Holme Oak. I believe they had all the colors on hand and looked very good. In addition, they had some of the standmount models on display, and the finish on those also looked outstanding. I can’t wait to hear them also!
If you’re interested in purchasing, you can find the 5000 series available for pre-order at Crutchfield.
AXPONA 2023 Debuts: Audeze MM-100 Headphones
Earlier this week, we also wrote about the new $399 Audeze MM-100 Headphones. Everyone seems to be over the moon regarding an inexpensive Planar headphone from a US company, as this price point seems to be handily owned by the Hifiman offerings.
Audeze debuted the MM-100 at AXPONA 2023, and I got to play around with them after fighting off a couple of listeners who were hogging them. There needs to be a time limit on this stuff at a busy show like AXPONA (just kidding, kinda).
After holding them in my hand and listening, I noticed a few things.
First of all, they seem to be built well. They felt a little more solid than the similarly priced offerings from Hifiman. Despite this, they were also pretty comfortable and lightweight.
Secondly, they were super easy to drive, so you should have many sources to choose from.
Third, they had some punchy and deep bass, much like the MM500, but with more quantity. Very lively sound. I think these headphones will be everyday cans for many folks when they hit the stores…can’t wait to hear them in a quiet environment!
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I’m an audio writer who started as a young audio salesman/consumer electronics professional back in the late 90s. That’s where I discovered the magic of 2-Channel sound. My hunger for great sound has led me on a delightful music quest that continues today.
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