Q Acoustics M20 HD Review: Big Sound, Small Money

Sometimes you simply fall for a sound signature from the second the primary notice hits. The midrange is brimming with easy, mellow-gold element; the higher register is glistening and clear, with easy extension; and the bass is clear and pleasantly refined.

After angling the audio system in towards the listening place, I used to be handled to a surprisingly well-defined soundstage. The heart channel popped out in entrance of my laptop monitor with spectacular accuracy and dimensionality. Vocals appear to spring to life proper earlier than your face, whereas different devices are tactfully positioned all through the stereo picture on each the vertical and horizontal aircraft, creating a stunning sound collage for advanced mixes and easy acoustic tracks alike.

My favourite factor in regards to the M20 HD’s sound is how simply the audio system construct out instrumental textures and colours. They appear to actively take pleasure in carving out guitar timbres, from the glittering acoustic solo in Nickel Creek’s “Out of the Woods” to the dusty crunch of Mason Jennings’ electrical melodies in “Machines.”

There actually isn’t an instrument that the audio system don’t deal with with care. The waterfall piano in Brian Eno’s “Burning Airlines Give You So Much More” is silky and fluttering however nonetheless impressively clear, permitting you to simply calm down and let it move over you. The drum skins in Snarky Puppy’s “Go” pop with papery textures. Even John Lennon’s reverberating yells on the intro of “Two of Us” really feel particular, glowing with expressive reverb. The audio system additionally do an ideal job with the track’s punchy dynamics, popping with crescendos because the chunky, reside guitar spits jangling tones on the microphone.

Bass output is the one factor some listeners could discover missing. Total frequency response is listed at 55Hz-22khz, however that 55Hz low finish is a stretch. There’s undoubtedly some punch, however in the event you’re searching for huge growth for hip-hop and electronica, it falls in need of what you’ll get with the Prime Wireless Pro; KEF LSX II; and even Klipsch’s powered pair, The Fives, when you get under 70Hz or so. If you hearken to loads of bass-heavy music, you’ll doubtless wish to add a subwoofer.

That goes for TV content material as nicely. If you join the audio system to your TV’s optical output, you’ll discover they’re a bit brighter up prime than when listening at your desk, and also you received’t get the sort of room-rattling explosions you’d discover with bigger audio system with out some help. But the audio system nonetheless do a improbable job with TV, movie, and gaming, providing pristine dialog and glorious element throughout the board. (It’s not usually I discover myself enraptured by the oboe half in a 30 Rock episode.) Stereo spacing stays a standout function right here, with particulars from the clinking of an ice dice to crashing waves coming out to the edges of the soundstage for spectacular immersion.

The M20 HD audio system are an particularly nice choice for these seeking to arrange a simplified turntable system with out searching for each audio system and a separate stereo amplifier. There’s no devoted phono enter, so that you’ll must buy a phono pre-amp, however the analog enter and speaker internals create an ideal vessel for having fun with the heat of your favourite vinyl.

My solely minor hesitation in recommending the Q Acoustics M20 HD is that as I write this assessment Klipsch’s The Fives can be found at a wildly low worth of round $500 on-line (down from $800). The Fives aren’t as correct because the M20 up prime, however they provide a phono enter, a settings app, and HDMI ARC to make use of your TV distant for energy and quantity.

But whereas the M20 HD audio system could not seamlessly combine with your house theater like at the moment’s most superior choices, they’re cheaper than powered rivals a lot of the time, and their sound high quality can’t be denied. For the appropriate purchaser, particularly these searching for an ideal pair of desktop audio system or one thing easy for a brand new turntable to make use of between Spotify classes, the M20 HD audio system are a critical discount.