Q Acoustics 5020 Comes Out Swinging! The Review

[@cheapaudioman]

To start comparing quotes and simplify insurance-buying, check out Policygenius: Policygenius.com/cheapaudioman. Thanks to Policygenius for sponsoring this video! Q Acoustics 5020 Intro graphics by johnvilardi.com Support the Channel by Shopping on Amazon amzn.to/3W8vsgK Cheap Audio Man Store Front shop.howl.me/cam Join the best hifi community out there! patreon.com/cheapaudioman TRY ROON roonlabs.com/r/RTmYWdCP9kitqouBa5pcIw Tidal Deal bit.ly/3siuqSF Amazon Unlimited Music Trial amzn.to/3DRAVj9 Crutchfield shop-links.co/cguPK8XEGmt Best Buy Deals shop-links.co/cf9yDZeYtUH amzn.to/3GkNaop CAM Store (New Products!) bit.ly/30Lgu4K apos.audio?sca_ref=552340.TY98BPcZ6P massdrop.7eer.net/qnOye5

[@bradrapp3697]

My 65 yo musician brain had a giggle when you described the bass going down by singing a tone going up. I’m currently homeless in my van still producing original tracks on my iPad and using a set of eBay bought Q 3010’s and a cheap Kinter K3118 to power it on 12volts. Even the old Q3010s are wonderful at translating with enough clarity to be completely usable for tracking and mastering. I wouldn’t have known about Q speakers if not for you, and though you never reviewed these old tiny little things, your description of the evenness of other models helped my choice. I know these little guys will work even better when I get an apartment in a few months and upgrade my amp to another of your recommendations. You’ve helped me not only in my enjoyment of music as entertainment, but in the creation of my ElectroJazz tracks which I’m great at making but never learned how to sell. Thank you!

[@svenneskovic1553]

Let's keep it up 🎉with Good speed

[@Hiluxtaco]

Please do a 'Speaker Shootout' comparing these to some other bookshelf speakers in this near-$1,000 price range.. Thanks! 👐

[@keithgayler8374]

My pair just came in for my bedroom, and I think they're fantastic.

[@Teachering]

A wonderful channel, cheapaudioman. Informative and entertaining. Though I have no need for these Q Acoustics 5020s, you pique my curiosity so much so that I am tempted to buy them and listen for myself.

[@bpalpha]

Q is a brand to watch. Love to see them conquer the entry level speaker category with some new model.

[@writemeanovel]

Holy cow you were so articulate in this review! Good you mentioned pairing as well. Well done!

[@andywray3446]

Enjoying your channel ... what I can't believe is how cheaply you can pick up a pair of Q-Acoustics Concept 20 speakers right now (Less than £240 right now in the UK). They are what I would call cheap audio HiFi. Also, my Denon DP-450 USB deck is selling for less than its little brother, the DP-400. These, combined with an old QA centre speaker and sub-woofer, plus even older Mission Audio flat panel satellite speakers and a Yamaha RX-A860 receiver, Rega Fono MM Mk3 amp and AT VM540ML cartridge make up the heart of my home theatre and stereo system. It's taken me a while to get the acoustics of this "semi-budget" system balanced, however I truly believe that it punches well above its weight and budget. I'm with you that you don't have to spend thousands on individual components to get a great sounding system :)

[@jerrypowers7671]

Gorgeous speakers. If the new 5050 sounds as good as they look I'll buy them.

[@NosEL34]

You can't really go wrong with Q-acoustics speakers..decent looks and decent sound.

[@ryanjofre]

I gotta say it one more time Randy. Yesterday I scored a pair of new in box Pioneer SP-BS22LR’S for 100 American pieces of paper!🎉🎉Suck it hard price gougers. I’ve been binge watching Andrew Jones interviews.🤣 I’ve never been so excited for speakers so small and affordable in my life(and I’m getting kinda old).😂

[@wardprocter2371]

Those are great speakers for the price. Enjoy!

[@naturalverities]

I think a key to clean separation of sound sources is close manufacturing tolerances. The more closely matched a pair of speakers are in both frequency response and "ballistics", the better they can present a coherent sound field by reproducing the critical differences between left and right signals with pinpoint accuracy.

[@skyblinked]

Thanks for the You know you're right shout out.

[@markcompton6750]

Have the Concept 20’s from a few years ago. Still sound epic 👍

[@samlee2562]

If you like the look of Q acoustics then everything's good.. done, go, music, play..!👌

[@wrxfrontier6584]

Randy, its really cool seeing how far you dove into your channel, with all the trips and opportunities that have opened for you. I still remember the coffee drink noises into the mic lol, I didn't mind it. BTW those new little animated intro/outro video clips are rocking 🤘🏼

[@stevezeidman7224]

Great job, Randy.

[@keptsecret35]

THE NEW INTRO WAS AWESOME!!! HAHAHAHA! I LOVE IT!!!

[@andrewbrazier9664]

Great looking compact speaker 🔊

[@bsullivan6467]

Great review as always.

[@gebo1103]

Hi Randy, about two years ago, you tested the Aperion Audio Novus B5 and you came to he conclusion (with respect to rather small stand mount/desktop speakers), „about the best you can get“. Since then, you tested a couple of compact speakers in the same price range and above, but in the comparisions you mostly mention speakers like Elacs or Emotiva. The Aperions have hardly ever be mentioned again… Why that? I had a feeling like they were a kind of standard that was not easy to beat. So, How would they compare against the Q 5020?

[@michaelj.4187]

sending love and peace to everyone...

[@midevil1980]

"Forward to Aft", nice job, Shipmate! 😉🍻

[@rakoksy]

Randy, one question: why Dali Spektor 2 and Q Acoustic 3020i aren't in your recommended speakers list even though you said they were among the best on that price point?

[@DevonRegan]

I just bought the 3020 and found they did quite well with Nearfield listening, did you happen to try that one these? Tempted to compare

[@sorinell9053]

Pay great attention to these advertising agents... the speakers in the measurements are not flat at all but bright, the high ones are raised by at least 2 db. I think this guy is reading what the people from qacoustics or the advertising agency gave him because what he says does not match the measurements of the speaker

[@MarioKaya]

Hi thank you so much for the great review and video. I am thinking of AE 100² or QAcoustics 5020 for my second smaller setup sitting on a sideboard in the study room. Which of the two speaker's would you recommend going for? Thank you for your opinion. Continue your great content! Cheers from Austria. Vienna.

[@jofner1]

I hope a 5030 is on its way... i loved the 3030

[@montvm]

@cheapaudioman QQ. I ended up purchasing the Q Accoustic 5040 floor standers, and 5090 center for my Home theater. I want to add rear speakers for Surround sound. Have you heard the 5010's? I am just thinking the 5020's would be too large to mount on the wall. Let me know.

[@ahambhramasmii]

How is the output, which amplifier using

[@audiofool4u]

Either you got the price wrong or it dropped very quickly but they appear to be £600 in the UK and $740 in the US imported from the UK.

[@nicolashuray1356]

How would you compare the 5010 and the 5020 ?

[@MrDodo1607]

Hi, sounds like a great Speaker! How will it perform in a small Home Theater Setup with a Marantz 1711 / Cinema 70s?

[@blinkingmanchannel]

I'm trying to back out a comparison with the 3rd gen Elacs you just posted...👀 And since your review sounds kinda like this could be a good studio monitor, what do you think about the solely priced Genelecs? (I don't have a specific Genelec in mind...) P.S. Jeff Foxworthy would be proud of me: I'm prolly gonna put my new speakers on top of my old speakers! 😎☕️

[@riccitone]

Wow…I’m looking for something more controlled, linear, doesn’t overdo lows and low mids, rolls off around 50Hz, for a medium/smallish room, with a Rel sub. But most of what I’ve seen with these traits (and review well) start around $1500. Am I actually considering going cheaper? The tech in some of the latest speakers is just astounding. Wonder how the 5020’s compare to ATC 7’s or 11’s (say with the bungs in place).

[@Lorien_III]

Thanks much for this video!👍 … do you think, this speaker is suitable for a small room, close to the rear wall? cheers! Michael

[@Lorien_III]

ok, on the second turn i found the „close to wall“ comment … sorry for my weak English … so, before i throw a coin … i‘m in between the QA 5020 and the Wharfedale Evo 5.1 … do have any advice? thanks much!

[@McTimkiller]

What should i take .... QA 5020 or Concept 30 ? Thank you

[@qqsrx]

How this Q compares with SVS Ultra? Would love to see a comparison.

[@PhilipBallGarry]

Wait! What? Bionic eye? 👁️‍🗨️ 😂 Good morning Randy ❤️

[@ItsMinarmy]

Do these perform well standing close to a wall?

[@stoianovadrian8772]

I would love to know how they compare to Elac Debut 3.0, as both are new-ish speakers. Does anyone has any experience with both? Cheers!

[@sineast]

Can anybody please comment how the Lumina IIs stack up against Q Acoustics 5020? I have both available for purchase but I cannot have a listen first. It means a lot, thank you!

[@randybehenna3763]

I can actually watch now

[@JohnScheppler]

Awesome review

[@pwnjones]

Somebody's been watching Rick Beato =)

[@Cheeba118]

Would you get these over the Unify Reference or Emotiva B1+?

[@lurcharoni]

Nice review ... more pricey than I expected however. I have the 3020i and have to say it's the most non fatiguing speakers I ever owned not to mention like you said, plays all genres great.

[@andrewbrazier9664]

Try & audition and if you rate them, wait for manufacture promotions as international consumer market in the affordable sector is surpresessed due to current high inflation

[@johnellison3173]

I have the 3030i and its a bit too safe for me. The bass can be a bit much too at times. Could do with less mid bass and lower mids and more treble and air. Thankfully I have a schiit lokius on hand to tweek them to my liking

[@peterfitton4529]

I have the 3020i and while I do like them for the most part, I find them prone to being a bit harsh/shouty in the upper mid-range. Admittedly most of this disappears if I lower my listening position so my ears are just a bit below the level of the tweeters. This means lying on my bed, though, which I don't always want to do, lol. If these 5020s avoid that harshness then I would certainly be interested. You haven't found that harshness with the 3020i? My amp is a Marantz pm6007, btw.

[@johnellison3173]

@@peterfitton4529 Thats interesting. My 3030i uses the same tweeter as the 3020i and it is not harsh at all. Too smooth at times actually. It might be your source. What gear are you using?

[@peterfitton4529]

​​@@johnellison3173 Thanks for replying. Amp is a Marantz PM6007, CD player is Marantz CD5005. I also have a mini system (also Marantz) which acts as a network streamer/tuner/USB stick player, which also goes through the amp. Speaker cables are QED 79 strand. I do sometimes think the issue is might be due to my amp (despite Marantz' reputation for a warm sound). I also find that the 3020i can *sometimes* sound quite congested, too, or airless as you put it.

[@doublecho]

How do you compere 5020 to concept 30, they have similar price, model 30 (3030 you mean is other price range to compare it)?

[@juangabriel251]

This Q acoustics or Elac Carina (bookshelft)?

[@heliopijpe]

How do they improve over / compare to the Concept 20 / 30 range of bookshelf speakers (with regards to technical abilities, articulation, texture, instrument separation, resolution, treble extension, tonal realism ). The Concepts are in another league imo (or perhaps other target audience) than the 3000 Series. Perhaps like you pointed out the Concept 20 / 30's are even more studio monitor-ish soundsig wise and these are re-tuned? Or? :-)

[@1337sim1]

Does it have more bass than something like an LS50? RP-600M ? Thanks 😊

[@Hiluxtaco]

Sweet! This is what I have been waiting for... 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️👋🙌✌️👋🧡

[@vishs8340]

How do these compare with the Q Acoustics M20?

[@TheHope12322]

These or Micca rb42?

[@dawolyan13]

You liked the concepts so much you kept them?

[@stevensmith1881]

Randy, I always watch your videos even if I can't afford what you're reviewing. The guys at Q Acoustics make nice stuff, but I think these are overpriced by a couple hundred dollars. I never see me buying a pair of speakers with a single 5" woofer, but they look nice. Maybe they'll run sales like Klipsch does.

[@StrangeBrewReviews]

Put up against Elac carina bookshelf

[@mvsrpharma]

🎉

[@CinemaDemocratica]

Question for the room: How exactly does one go about utilizing the information in these videos, now that we know that Randy is, at least some of the time, being paid by the manufacturer as well as by the sponsor? Seems like that makes it pretty difficult to take any of what he says, to heart. If you missed it, a few weeks ago in a review for a Fosi Audio amp, Randy freely admitted that companies literally pay him to review their products, and that they require in-house approval of the rough-cut before he can upload the video and receive the money. In one fourteen-second utterance out of the side of his mouth, the guy smashed to pulpy pieces not just everything I thought I'd learned by watching *his* reviews, but also everything I'd ever learned by watching any number of other reviewers, too. I've been saying this in FB comment threads and there seems to be a real reluctance on the part of otherwise sensible people to see what a huge and scandalizing admission this is: We're not talking about Randy needing to be nice; we're not talking about protecting a small-margin industry to help consumers enjoy the hobby; we're not talking shmoozing the manufacturers to preserve a stream of review specimens; we're not talking about sponsor credits; and we're not talking about 'you can't believe what you hear on KZbin.' We're talking about a guy who takes money from a manufacturer, makes a "review" in which he intentionally doesn't explain this to us, clears the rough-cut of the video with the manufacturer, makes any changes they want, and then uploads it as an apparently good-faith review and gets paid for doing it. That's worse than a thirteen-minute commercial because in a thirteen-minute commercial we would at least KNOW that it was a commercial.

[@audx2338]

In that Fosi video, I thought his point was that some companies ask for that level of control, so he doesn't do them, whereas Fosi just supplies the units.

[@CinemaDemocratica]

I very much wish that's what he was trying to say, but that very much wasn't what he *actually* said, and I know because it took me five or six passes to scoop my jaw off the floor. He says that some manufacturers DO pay him, and ask him to clear the script before he can receive payment (but Fosi does not exercise that same level of editorial control). I mean, I'm not trying to run the guy out of business -- he's a terrific dude and his channel is highly entertaining, but there's no sugar-coating the size of the bombshell here, especially since he was so casual about how he said it -- like we shouldn't be surprised at all. Some percentage of the videos on his channel are undeclared, thirteen-minute-long advertisements, and we have no idea which ones, and never will. That's ... like I said, I'm not trying to hurt the guy, but that is SERIOUSLY not cool.

[@cheapaudioman]

I was talking about "sponsors" like Squarespace, ekster wallets, ridge wallet. I disclose every sponsor that I have. the first links in the description are to the sponsored company and I disclose that the video contains "sponsored content". I've also partnered with WIIM mini and fosi audio but have disclosed those relationships as well. You can check every video to see who has "paid" me. 90% of the time they are non audio related companies. If I do accept a sponsorship from an audio company and talk about it in the video and disclose it as well. I would appreciate it if you wouldn't spread misinformation on other creator's channels like Steve Guttenberg's

[@CinemaDemocratica]

​@@cheapaudioman In the stand-alone review of the Fosi BT20, what you clearly said is that we might not realize that some audio manufacturers pay you to review their gear and then they vet your scripts before you can upload, but Fosi by contrast has never asked for any such editorial oversight. We wouldn't "not realize it" if you were disclosing the sponsorship, and -- much more damning -- you wouldn't need to explain that the same thing doesn't apply to your reviews of Fosi products, because we would already know this from the fact that those videos don't start with a sponsor credit. What happened here, clearly, is that you slipped and shared with us something you really shouldn't have -- and it's a total gut-punch because it casts into serious doubt the actionability of most of the audio review content on KZbin. "Heartbreaking" would not be too strong a word for it.

[@chebrubin]

You cant bi wire them?

[@cheapaudioman]

Nope

[@steveh545]

"better" than the Polk R200? or just different?

[@Feliciano12v]

Different based off his comments.

[@cheapaudioman]

R200 definitely has way more gumption and bass presence. Doesn’t match the Q in detail and separation through the bass mids and treble though. This Q is a speaker that will appeal to and I hate to say this… the more refined listener.

[@GREGBT69]

Wow! $899 These over Elac unifi series?

[@billykaye6308]

Is it my monitor or is this video a bit darker than usual?

[@TheFrugalAudiophile]

… And it’ll probably be on sale at a reduced price fairly soon!

[@mw3640]

Would love to see your review of the 5040's.

[@andrewbrazier9664]

Should follow the same tonality 🎶👍🙂

[@mw3640]

I really hope so!

[@shipsahoy1793]

They claim the tweeter is hermetically sealed and mechanically isolated from the front baffle to mitigate internal cabinet pressure and woofer resonances.

[@FACE-FOR-RADIO]

cheap audio man showing off $900 bookshelf speakers

[@GioDrago]

All channel stereo sounds better than 2 channel ....., change my mind lmao

[@adsph]

Wished I would of heard them at Axpona. Great stuff Randy.

[@Negatywny2]

whats with your hair dude?

[@ryanjofre]

I think he’s experimenting with “Product”. He looks allot better than John Travolta back in the day when he had that crazy spray on hair. 😂

[@cheapaudioman]

I try to leave an Easter egg in every video. Sometimes it’s some fuzz in my beard. Sometimes it’s my hair. It’s kind of like a hidden joke in every video.

[@sopasadena1499]

What’s the impedance and sensitivity and did the g horns drive them well

[@EudesPonyme]

hi there Randy ... I am still lusting after the ayima T5, but still in the dark about it ... would really appreciate an advice

[@AndyBHome]

9:14 that's my stage name in the acapella group I sing in - BariTony (joking - I can't sing)

[@edverbeek6292]

“a lot of technology” Please don’t believe marketing BS. Your ears are all that counts.

[@Casey.S.]

After seeing the measurements of these from Erin's Audio Corner and his review of the sound, I wouldn't waste my money. Not worth the price.

[@Super9203]

Never a bad review by the cheap audio man.

[@delane50]

Buying speakers based on measurements is the stupiedst thing I ever heard. So you hear a speaker in the shop you and you really liked it, wouldnt you buy it anymore if you see the measurements are “bad” 🤣

[@paulhanlon5112]

Nice Speakers...But $1400 Australian....No Thanks !

[@evanshall]

Bionic eye 😂

[@abxaudiophiles]

Ok, tonight, Cocaine Bear it is. 🤣🤣.

[@jontpt]

$900 is cheap audio?? Hmmm ..

[@RiCHKiMMiNGS]

Just as a side note - your 'metal' intro music is out of phase😁

[@cheapaudioman]

A very talented 3D artist did the intros for me.

[@RiCHKiMMiNGS]

@@cheapaudioman I feel a total douche for mentioning it... sorry

[@shipsahoy1793]

I’m not sure if you’ve been doing it too long when almost every product blows you way, or when it gets to the point where hardly any of the products blow you away.. I think it could go either way lol 👨🏻🥳/☕️

[@cheapaudioman]

I’ve been doing it since October of 2020.

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@cheapaudioman Kudos Randy.. that’s a lot of videos for about 1000 days !!👍

[@jhiss100]

Want

[@markjohnattwood8985]

Adverts

[@shipsahoy1793]

“Sounds” like speaker stands and a sub or two are needed, and in that case gets pricey enough to investigate other possible options. Unless of course, they’re just for near field listening in a small room.🤔 I’m sure they’ll sell well when they cut the price in half lol

[@carmelovillena6174]

you should drop test it

[@niceshotman7852]

I wonder when Randy will get some glasses that don't slide down his face. He is constantly touching those spectacles. Lol

[@johntan4835]

No longer CHEAP audio man😅

[@chebrubin]

It's time randy starts showing stuff over $125 price average.

[@NosEL34]

and when he was starting to regularly review gear over $800 bucks everyone was crying lol

[@chebrubin]

@@NosEL34 are you the cheapaudioman troll?

[@CADClicker]

​@@chebrubinare you?

[@NosEL34]

@@chebrubin Am I a person that watches Cheapaudioman videos and then posts things in the comment section just to irritate, cause conflict, or get people in an uproar for personal entertainment value? No, that's not something I normally do...and my comment wasn't aimed in that direction either. But we have had spells where Randy has reviewed higher priced items and I noticed a lot of crying in the comment section. Thats all I meant....but are you the CheapAudioman troll?

[@markjohnattwood8985]

Adwerts

[@Daviono]

Most people watching is 30-60?!? WOW! So many old people here. (I'm 21)

[@nottoolive]

24

[@muninm1]

Where are the measurement? As long as you don't know how to sing corretly a bass going down, how can we trust what you describe when graph's don't lie? Audiophiles and there terms wich means nothing. hm. 15 minutes about saying nothing. Sad.

[@ianjohnhorwood2605]

How much is Q Acoustics paying you to say this. There is no new technology worth an iota in their $900 worth loudspeakers 😂 🤣 . Do you get the ultimate in solid sound presentation with the ultimate detail transparency and separation, and the answer is no. They still have not solved the cabinet node resonances on any of their speakers even in their highest end loudspeakers, with their supposed double and triple sandwich construction cabinet walls. Their porting Q is still pretty poor, and does nothing for neutral clean clarity. May be I'm a perfectionist, but i still cannot stand any incompetent quality's in loudspeakers in 2023 .

[@cheapaudioman]

$25 gift certificate to the Waffle House

[@ianjohnhorwood2605]

@@cheapaudioman you calling me the waffle house, but you just don't you want to know the truth do you 🤣 , keep on taking the blue pill instead of the red one 🤔 .

[@cheapaudioman]

@@ianjohnhorwood2605 I’m saying that they paid me with a $25 gift certificate to my favorite restaurant, The Waffle House. You can’t believe a word that I say. I’m a total shill that takes diner gift certificates for positive reviews. You got me.

[@ianjohnhorwood2605]

@@cheapaudioman Telling the absolute honest truth about any audio product should be your number 1 priority to the viewers. Obviously you have not done any resonance testing. The emporers new clothes still hasn't improved to any worth while degree. Like the governmental powers that be, still nothing for the good changes .

[@cheapaudioman]

@@ianjohnhorwood2605 my reviews are my honest opinion. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment