Q Acoustics 2010/2020

[matthewpiano]

OK, seeing as my other thread has turned into an off-topic game, I've decided to find some clarity by starting a new one.

I'm interested in opinions of the 2010 and 2020 speakers. I've decided that Q is the way to go but that my 1030i floorstanders are too big, in sound and dimensions, for my listening space, so I am considering a pair of their standmounters.

I like the idea of something very rhythmic sounding with decent openess and which avoids being swamped by bass.

 

[d_a_n1979]

Get demoing MP...

That's all I can say TBH

 

[ear]

"like the idea of something very rhythmic sounding with decent openess and which avoids being swamped by bass." --->NS-333

 

[AL13N]

What happened with your curiosity towards the Arcaydis DM1?

The QA 2010/20 do look great though in gloss white/black with their matching stands. Especially with your Hi-Fi history (journey), if you're happy with the 'Q sound' then stick with it

.

Demo to see which of the siblings you prefer (and let the other one down gently).

 

[the record spot]

MP - put a sock in it. Better still, put two in. Bung the ports, have a listen, see what you think.

If it's still not quite right, try some basic Actives (Yamaha's HS50 might work), detail, accuracy, you can tweak to suit your room, about £250. Get an Airport Express, WinAmp (brilliant, sleek interface, syncs with an iPod too) and Airfoil (for streaming other apps through the AE - web, Spotify, etc) and enjoy.

No need to buy any new kit for me, my system is sorted. The functionality is key (wireless in my case) and the apps are terrific. Yo Yo Ma on Spotify last night, Wolfgang's Vault on Google Chrome, BBC Radio on the same this morning. Box swapping is off my radar now. I'll stick with my current set-up for a good while yet, but won't be going down this whole tortuous route again. Finished with that game now.

Seriously recommend it. The quality is as good as you'll find. Easily, easily on a part with the kit your listening to.

Stop where you are, get your PC or laptop fixed up - £100 gets you the Airport Express and the cost of the Airfoil user licence (must have, it lays white noise on the application demo). Spotify is free, or you cough up a tenner a month for the premium service. That's decent enough (I spend more than that on CDs these days) and so flexible.

 

[matthewpiano]

Thanks.

Will try the socks although it doesn't get around the physical nature of the problem. A pair of compact speakers on stands is so much less dominating in the room.

I'm not going to go for actives though. The NAD kit is exactly what I want and it has taken too long to realise that already. This is just about tweaking the speakers now and, at most, it is going to cost only £120 for the 2020s, thanks to the fact that the Q range is such good value for money.

Ali3n - Yes I do still have curiosity towards the Arcaydis DM1s but I am happy with the 'Q sound' and I think sticking with it is the best way for the forsseable future. I know that the NAD kit will get the best out of these whereas if I bought the DM1s I might start thinking they have more to give and playing with the electronics again, and I don't want to even go there!!!!

 

[the record spot]

Okay, that's fine - you're sorted there then. The 2020 wuold be a good box to go for I think (or the 2010), either way, you've got to try them out on stands and in the room the smaller speaker might be more of a benefit in terms of imaging/music presentation. At £140 it seems like a fine little box and you my thoughts on the brand by now!

As for the wireless route, can't recommend it enough and it's very straightforward (minus a little fiddling with the Airport Express, but once it's set-up, it's excellent). Widened up a whole spectrum of music on one fell swoop. You get the best of both worlds, the ability to combine your existing system with the functionality of new technology played through it from your computer.

 

[Anonymous]

Matthew,

Just my opinion but I would try the 2010 with QED XT Evolution speaker cable, I love clarity and rhythmical sounding music.

I changed from chord to QED for music and it produced the sound you have described.

Good luck

 

[matthewpiano]

brittondave:
Matthew,

Just my opinion but I would try the 2010 with QED XT Evolution speaker cable, I love clarity and rhythmical sounding music.

I changed from chord to QED for music and it produced the sound you have described.

Good luck

Thanks Dave. I'm very interested in the 2010 and will also look into the QED cable.

 

[AL13N]

matthewpiano:I am happy with the 'Q sound' and I think sticking with it is the best way for the forsseable future. I know that the NAD kit will get the best out of these whereas if I bought the DM1s I might start thinking they have more to give and playing with the electronics again, and I don't want to even go there!!!!

Considering your view of the 1030i, and reading the WHF 2010/2020 reviews, the 2010 might well be the best option for your listening space. Can be bought with the QA 2000ST for less than £200 too (£169.95 or £189.95 gloss). Amazing value for money.

 

[Anonymous]

Matthew, did you not once say you also had a pair of Quad speakers in your possesion .... or am I mixing things up here? ...

if so, they may be a good match with the Nad?

 

[ear]

i recall also him having the L11

 

[Anonymous]

I'm a fan of Q Acoustics but in the end they are good budget speakers.

MP you'll have to accept at some point that, to get the sound you want, you'll have to move out of the budget end of the market, at least for speakers, anyway. You might think otherwise but you do get what you pay for, and 200? speakers are never, ever going to be as good as 1000? ones.

If you want to try an OK compromise, there's the Triangle Cometes. They can be too forward but your Nads might solve that problem.

 

[matthewpiano]

Thanks Tarquinh, I appreciate your thoughts and I know that ultimately you are right.

However, as I said earlier, going for expensive speakers will only encourage a continuation of the box swapping and it isn't where I want to be at present. Good budget electronics with a pair of good budget speakers is going to work better than good budget electronics with ultra-revealing speakers.

ear/dim span - yes I have had Quad 11Ls but I no longer do. They are nice speakers but not ideal at lower volumes - they respond to having a bit of power through them. I don't like the hi-fi overly loud and I can't push the levels anyway as I live in an appartment.

 

[ear]

if you can somehow get in touch with the ns-333....hear them.i think they are better than L11, IQ30, these are truly good speakers.

 

[matthewpiano]

Been looking at the Roth Audio range as well. They look very interesting.

 

[Anonymous]

They are indeed very interesting

 

[matthewpiano]

brittondave:They are indeed very interesting

Tell me more Dave. I'm interested to read some more of your thoughts. I've read your user review. Anything you could add?

 

[Anonymous]

The main thing about the Roth Oli 2's as I think the WHFI review also states is the mid randge of this speaker. It is very good.

From your post it seems like you listen to a lot of classical music.They work very well with piano music and string music i.e. Bach Double ...Baroque. They also work well with elsectronic music and vocals. They are very articulate. They also have great timing , the sort you would find in a higher price bracket speaker.

If you are into controlled , detailed , sound . they give you that. If it's blasting Wagner, and dub you want, then look elsewhere as the Roth's would need a sub matched with them.They also worked much better with QED cable.

I have met the engineer and he seemed a very down to earth kinda chap who just wanted to produce a very clear speaker in the Oli 1 and Oli2........this he has done.........................the Oli3 dindn't fair so well in the reviews ......but I've never heard it so can't tell any more.......I was a little surprised at the star rating considering the sound quality of the first two offerings.

hope this helps...........

p.s my friend who has some very expensive kit. was amazed ( not that I am a mad Carpenters fan), but I played him Rainy Days and Monday's and he swore that she was in the room with him.

 

[matthewpiano]

Thanks Dave. Very informed and informative and it certainly helps a great deal as there isn't a huge amount of information around regarding these speakers.

I'll let you know what I decide.

 

[matthewpiano]

Well, after careful considering both the Q models and the Roth range, I have ordered a pair of Roth Oli 2s. Nobody seems to stock them locally and I don't find dealer demo facilities give me much idea of how things are going to sound at home anyway, so I've made a decision off the back of BrittonDave's comments and the WHFS&V review. They sound to be exactly the sort of sound I am seeking and at £99.99 instead of £149.99 they look like excellent value for money.

I'm not doing anything about speaker cable at present because I like the Chord Rumour 2 and it was expensive but, if I feel the need, I can always tweak that later.

Will report back when I've received them and had a listen but I'm feeling pretty confident about them after hours of deliberation.

 

[drummerman]

It's like I never left. Why don't you have a nice couple of weeks break somewhere rather than an another speaker MP?

 

[Anonymous]

well I do hope you like them.........
As I said in my review I do think they need careful placement.
You can see how i've got mine in the pictures on the my system forum.

D

 

[d_a_n1979]

matthewpiano:Well, after careful considering both the Q models and the Roth range, I have ordered a pair of Roth Oli 2s. Nobody seems to stock them locally and I don't find dealer demo facilities give me much idea of how things are going to sound at home anyway, so I've made a decision off the back of BrittonDave's comments and the WHFS&V review. They sound to be exactly the sort of sound I am seeking and at £99.99 instead of £149.99 they look like excellent value for money.

I'm not doing anything about speaker cable at present because I like the Chord Rumour 2 and it was expensive but, if I feel the need, I can always tweak that later.

Will report back when I've received them and had a listen but I'm feeling pretty confident about them after hours of deliberation.

Good to see youre having a bash with them MP; they do look like very good speakers

Shame you dont have £800 spare; the Dali Mentor Menuets I listened to briefly at S&SUK sounded sublime!

Do you not still think it's worth demoing the Q Acoustics though (maybe side by side with your Roth's when you get them)?

 

[ear]

think Roth oli's 2 will be simmilar to my Ns-333.they must be good with the nad.