Q Acoustics Drops the New 5000 Series

News
Written By Taps Das

DUDE. I totally want these.

The new 5000 stereo and home cinema loudspeaker series from Q Acoustics redefines how a speaker can look and sound. Showcasing genuine advancement in driver design, the introduction of the leading-edge C3 Continuous Curved Cone™ profile in the mid/bass driver elevates the 5000 series beyond its class and will form a technical platform for years to come. The series also inherits innovative cabinet and driver technology from the company’s flagship Concept range for an exceptional sonic performance. The 5000 series brings sophistication to any listening room with its contemporary and minimalist design lines.

Positioned between the multiple award-winning 3000i range and Concept series models, the 5000 family is comprised of the 5010bookshelf, 5020 standmount, 5040 floorstander, 5050 large floorstander, with the 5090 centre-channel completing the line-up for a home cinema speaker set-up.

5000 series audio innovations include:

  • C3 (pronounced ‘C-cubed’) Continuous Curved Cone™design in the mid/bass driver ensures smoother high-frequency integration with the tweeter and superior bass dynamics.

  • Sophisticated, clean and contemporary design with dark acrylic baffle motif mirrors the minimalist C3 Continuous Curved Cone™ profile.

  • With a design taken from the Concept series but in a new housing, the high-frequency driver is fully hermetically sealed and mechanically isolated from the front baffle to protect from internal cabinet pressure and resonances from the mid/bass driver.

  • Ground-up mid/bass driver design delivers increased power handling.

  • Point-2-Point™ (P2P) internal bracing stiffens the cabinet to minimise lower frequency vibrations, while focusing stereo imaging and improving soundstage.

  • Helmholtz Pressure Equalisers (HPE™) reduces internal pressure and standing waves (5040 and 5050 models only).

C3 Continuous Curved Cone™ design

A genuine advancement in elements of mid/bass driver design, the C3 Continuous Curved Cone™ profile is the result of extensive research and expert engineering to combine the bass performance benefits of a traditional straight conic cone with the high/mid-range frequency control of a flared cone.

By creating a single, smooth, continuous curve profile, the advantages are manifold. Firstly, its excellent dispersion, alongside its well-controlled frequency response, enables smoother integration with the tweeter. Deep bass dynamics are also superior, with this and tighter, damped low-end sound allowing more flexibility in placement of speakers near the wall boundaries of the listening room. Harmonic distortion is also reduced, ensuring the 5000 series delivers a sonic performance and wide soundstage that belies its ranking.

The C3 Continuous Curved Cone™ profile has successfully addressed shortcomings in one of the basic geometrical elements of drive unit design to deliver the best characteristics of both straight and flared cones.

Sophisticated design

The reductive nature of the C3 Continuous Curved Cone’s™ appearance is also reflected in the 5000 series minimalist design, with its sophisticated but contemporary lines leaning towards the elegant form of the latest Concept speaker series.

The baffle fronts are laminated with a layer of butyl rubber and black acrylic trim, not only to provide a damping layer to suppress vibration occurring in the baffle, but to offer an eye-catching counterpoint to the cosmetically clean front presentation uninterrupted by any fixings.

All speaker models arrive in a choice of four modern but classic finishes that complement any living space, including the introduction of a new stylish lighter wood veneer. High-quality finishes include Satin Black, Satin White, Santos Rosewood and Holme Oak.

The 5040 and 5050 floorstanding models come with stylish solid aluminium stabilisers that feature top adjustable spikes for easier levelling adjustment, while durable low-profile speaker terminals provide a tidy appearance, enabling the speaker to be placed closer to the back wall if required.

Premium cabinet and driver innovations

All models in the 5000 series feature acoustic cabinet innovations first introduced in the flagship, high-end Concept range, including tweeter design, Point-2-Point™ (P2P) bracing and Helmholtz Pressure Equalisers (HPE™) tube technology.

High-frequency driver design

Based on the tweeter design principle found in the newest Concept series, the high frequency driver unit is hermetically sealed and mechanically isolated (floating) from the baffle to prevent internal pressure modulations from within the cabinet and adjacent mid/bass driver. The inner chamber is also carefully vented for lower distortion, with a lower crossover point for seamless integration through the crossover region.

Mid/bass driver design

At the heart of the ground-up mid/bass driver design is the C3Continuous Curved Cone™. The cone’s geometry requires good motor strength for optimal performance. Substantial magnets are coupled to large voice coils to increase motor strength – the result is a 50 % increase in power handling and control over a comparable driver with 25.4 mm voice coil. The result is an improvement in the dynamic range of the speaker, especially in the bass region.

Point-2-Point™ (P2P) and Helmholtz Pressure Equalisers (HPE™) technology

Point-2-Point™ (P2P) internal bracing is fitted to internal areas of the cabinet susceptible to low-end frequency reverberations. This reinforcement delivers a more focused stereo image and a wider soundstage.

Both the 5040 and 5050 floorstanding models are vulnerable to internal build-up of pressure that cause unwanted standing waves and colouration. To prevent this occurring, the specially designed Helmholtz Pressure Equalisers (HPE™) tubes are fitted inside the cabinets (four inside the 5050 and two tubes in the 5040) to improve frequency response.  

Home Cinema

Beyond being talented stereo speakers, the new 5000 series can also form a sophisticated but powerful 5.1 home cinema set-up. The system arrives in two 5.1 configurations: the 5010 5.1 and the 5040i 5.1 speaker packages. The star of this line-up is the 5090 centre-channel speaker that delivers dynamic and crystal-clear dialogue, while choose from either the slimline 3060S subwoofer or the more powerful Q B12 for low-end sonics and a truly immersive cinematic experience.

Price and availability:

Q Acoustics 5020 standmount and 5040 floorstanding models are available now from:

Priced:

  • Q Acoustics 5020 – £599/€799/$899

  • Q Acoustics 5040 – £999/€1,299/$1,499

Q Acoustics 5010 bookshelf and 5090 centre channel models will be available May from

Priced:

  • Q Acoustics 5010 – £499/€649/$749

  • Q Acoustics 5090 – £399/€499/$599

Q Acoustics 5050 large floorstanding model: Availability and price TBC. 

Q Acoustics 5010 5.1 and 5040 5.1 will be available May, in Satin Black or Stain White finishes, priced:

  • Q Acoustics 5010 5.1 (2x 5010/pair, 5090, QB12 subwoofer)- £1,975/€2,495/$2,845

  • Q Acoustics 5040 5.1 (1x 5040/pair, 1x 5010/pair, 5090, QB12 subwoofer) – £2,475/€3,145/$3,595

Taps Das
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