Q Acoustics M20 HD guide

Hey, do you want to review a set of powered desktop Bluetooth speakers?” is what my colleague asked me. First, of course I do, because I like speakers and I like my job. But one of the most fun parts of reviewing products is when you dig into something new and find that it isn’t what you were expecting.

CONTENTS

What’s in the box?

Design and features

Setup

Sound quality and performance

The bottom line

Sure, the Q Acoustics M20 HD are, at first glance, a pair of powered Bluetooth speakers that I’m sure would be quite content (can speakers be content?) relegated to any home office desktop. And they were, happily tucked in behind my computer monitor for weeks. I was happy, too. Domestic audio bliss. But then I noticed the “Powered Wireless Music System” moniker on the box. Duh.

After removing my palm from my face, I relocated the M20s to a bookshelf in my dining room. Then I tried them with my turntable. Then my TV. And my phone. They’re so moveable I even took them to my cottage. With a ton of connectivity options, from RCA to USB to 3.5.mm AUX to optical to Bluetooth, there wasn’t anything I couldn’t try the M20s with, save for Wi-Fi. You can even hook a subwoofer up to them (more on that later)

I’VE BECOME COMPLETELY spoiled when it comes to powered speakers.

Top standalone bookshelves like SVS’ new Prime Wireless Pro and KEF’s LSX II (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are not only minimalist and convenient, but also come loaded with virtually every feature and playback method you could want. You’ll find HDMI ARC for seamless control with your TV remote, a dedicated app to adjust settings, and a rainbow of streaming options.

When I saw that the more cost-friendly Q Acoustics M20 HD Bluetooth speakers skip most of those luxuries, I wasn’t sure they’d be the right buy, even for those on a tighter budget. Then I heard them.

Q Acoustics has cooked up something very special within these curvy cubes, which provide a golden splash of clear, expressive, and superbly balanced sound that elevates nearly everything you play. There’s no HDMI or Wi-Fi, but they still offer plenty of connections, including high-quality Bluetooth streaming, digital input for your TV, analog inputs for a turntable, and even a subwoofer out. At around $600 ($500 frequently on sale), it all adds up to a sweet musical deal.

British manufacturer Q Acoustics has a rich heritage when it comes to producing top-tier speakers for hi-fi systems.

Thanks to the inclusion of Bluetooth 5.0 and no additional amplifiers required, we're hoping for that signature Q Acoustics sound without the hassle that often comes with traditional hi-fi systems.

Q Acoustics M20 HD

Recommended

The Q Acoustics M20 HD speakers punch well above their price point when it comes to audio quality, and they look lovely, too. If you can live without the modern conveniences of smart speakers, you'll get some unbeatable sound for your money.

As you'll have seen from some of my recent reviews here, I'm beginning to get into the world of audio in a bigger way than I had been. Of course, headphones are just one part of it, and speakers are another. Here to take a look at today I've got a set of the Q Acoustics M20 HD, a set of £389/$499 bookshelf speakers that are, quite simply, excellent - thanks to top-tier audio for their price category, great connectivity options and a stripped-down feature set that does everything you need without an app to complicate things.

Out of the box, the Q Acoustics M20 HD provide a solid first impression with more classic stylings than most computer speakers we see, with nicely rounded cabinets and minimal controls - just power, volume up and volume down on one speaker. There's also a small LED indicator that glows all manner of different colours depending on what source is being used, be it Bluetooth, optical, analogue or USB.