In a first for the company, Q Acoustics has announced the new Q Active 200 and Q Active 400 powered and wireless connectivity loudspeakers.
Q Acoustics employed tabula rasa ideology in the design of the new speakers, therefore making new technologies exclusively available to the Q Active range. The Q Active 200 and Q Active 400 speakers feature a separate ‘Control Hub’ which allows wireless connectivity of devices such as TVs, Network Music Streamers, smartphones and more. An analogue connectivity option will even allow turntable hook-up for vinyl playback. ‘Chromecast built-in’ is offered at launch while ‘Works with Alexa’ is said to come via firmware in early 2021. The Control Hub is supplied with a dedicated remote control.
Wireless connectivity is available via Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and the units are Roon Ready. Native app control is available for Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Qobuz, Spotify and Tidal. NAS Drive and computer audio is available via UPnP media player capabilities. Cable connectivity is available via HDMI ARC, optical Toslink digital inputs and an analogue line level input. An on-board phono stage allows Moving Magnet (MM) turntable connection. Each speaker offers a subwoofer output.
Playback resolutions on offer are 24-bit/96kHz converted from source resolutions of up to 32-bit/192kHz. Each speaker is fully active and features powerful built-in Class-D amplifiers which handle Q Acoustics’ new Balanced Mode Radiator (BMR) drive units. The BMRs have been designed for high power handling and wide dispersion providing an all-inclusive soundfield. A proximity switch allows freedom of placement and tailors the sound to positioning close to side/rear walls, in corner placement or out into the room in “free space”.
BMR configuration for each Q Active 200 standmount comprises twin front-firing 2.25 inch drivers and a rear-firing 4.5 inch “subwoofer” all powered via six channels of amplification totalling 280 watts. The floorstanding Q Active 400 adds a second 4.5 inch woofer (one placed on top with the other being located on the bottom of the cabinet) requiring eight channels of amplification totalling 440 watts of output.
Both the Q Active 200 and Q Active 400 are available in matt black and white finishes while the Q Active 200 features the Q FS75 dedicated stand which has been styled along the lines of the Concept 300's Tensegrity (tensional integrity design reminiscent of the Skylon structures from 1951’s Festival of Britain).
The Q Active 200 standmount speakers will be available in Australia in November 2020 while the floorstanding Q Active 400 speakers are due for release soon afterwards. Q Acoustics loudspeakers are available via Australian distributor BusiSoft AV’s established network of specialist audio dealers around the country.
Q Acoustics Q Active 200 & Q Active 400 Loudspeakers
Price: Q Active 200 AU$3199 (Q FS75 stands AU$799), Q Active 400 TBA
Australian Distributor: BusiSoft AV
+61 3 9810 2900
www.busisoft.com.au
