Q Acoustics Q Active 200
Home Cinema Choice|March 2021
Q Acoustics’ first active speaker is part of a wireless system that has some AV possibilities, says Ed Selley – even if he'd likely give the optional stands a pass...
Ed Selley
Q Acoustics Q Active 200

PRODUCT: Active stereo system with wireless hub

POSITION: Debut Q Active model, to be followed by floorstanding option

PEERS: Naim Mu-So Qb2; Klipsch The Fives

With the exception of subwoofers, Q Acoustics has not made an active speaker up to this point (previous standalone devices have been 'powered' rather than active) and its opening gambit, the Q Active 200, is an intriguing bit of kit.

Each speaker has a pair of offset 2.25in BMR drivers on the front, while around the back is a single 4.5in woofer handling frequencies below 160Hz. Power is quoted at 100W continuous/280W peak.

They communicate wirelessly over 5.8GHz, and the speaker pairing is supplied with a device called the Q Active Hub. This is an input box with an HDMI ARC connection, optical digital audio and RCA input (the latter of which is able to be used as an MM phono stage), as well as Bluetooth, AirPlay and UPnP playback (with Roon compatibility).

This hub transmits information to the speakers as a 24-bit/96kHz digital signal. The box supplied for review was a Google Assistant-enabled device (with Chromecast built-in). An Amazon Alexa-compatible version will follow (the boxes can’t switch between the two systems).

Denne historien er fra March 2021-utgaven av Home Cinema Choice.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra March 2021-utgaven av Home Cinema Choice.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA HOME CINEMA CHOICESe alt
AV Avenger
Home Cinema Choice

AV Avenger

You should think twice before accepting an invitation to play Resident Evil 4 with spatial audio in a haunted prison, warns Steve May

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2023
Catalogue classic Star Wars: Ep. VI - Return of the Jedi → Ultra HD Blu-ray, Disney
Home Cinema Choice

Catalogue classic Star Wars: Ep. VI - Return of the Jedi → Ultra HD Blu-ray, Disney

Forty years on from the movie's cinema release, Anton van Beek ponders what might have been if things had gone a little diff erently during the making of Return of the Jedi…

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2023
Feedback
Home Cinema Choice

Feedback

Got an axe to grind? Need to comment on current tech? Want to share your knowledge with our readers? Team HCC is here to help

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2023
M&K Sound V12
Home Cinema Choice

M&K Sound V12

TIME ON TEST: Three years REVIEWER: Steve Withers

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2023
Sony 'bar demands to be upgraded
Home Cinema Choice

Sony 'bar demands to be upgraded

This well-specified Dolby Atmos soundbar may have a mid-range price tag, but you'll soon want to spend more, cautions Steve May

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2023
Short and sweet
Home Cinema Choice

Short and sweet

Marantz's compact AV receiver returns with a new look and boosted features – Jamie Biesemans slips it into his AV rig

time-read
5 mins  |
May 2023
Discreet delivery
Home Cinema Choice

Discreet delivery

A slim, stylish Scandinavian on-wall system impresses Mark Craven with its handling of the sweet stuff

time-read
5 mins  |
May 2023
One project, two rooms
Home Cinema Choice

One project, two rooms

Dan Sait reports on a custom install where a JVC PJ/ Atmos system is joined by a stylish media den

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2023
THE KING OF B RDA HOLLYWOOD
Home Cinema Choice

THE KING OF B RDA HOLLYWOOD

Three of his movies have taken over $2billon at the global box office, he's pioneered SFX and 3D technologies, and he's been to the very bottom of the Pacific Ocean. That's James Cameron by the way, not Anton van Beek

time-read
10+ mins  |
May 2023
System selector!
Home Cinema Choice

System selector!

Given three similar budgets, Mark Craven, Steve May and John Archer assemble three different AV setups focused on movies, streaming and gaming

time-read
8 mins  |
May 2023