What do you gain by spending $300 more for these little 4.5-inch driver speakers over the Elac Debut 3.0 db63s? Serious question. Why would anyone buy these over those except for aesthetics?
Why not just go with Micca rb42x's. Same size, similar cabinet design for only $150/pr. Usually the answer is crossover design, better quality drivers, better cabinet design (rigidity, low resonance). The reason for smaller speakers is usually space or room constraints. You wouldn't want to put a 6.5" bookshelf on a desk, for instance. There's also the sweet spot on speakers when it comes to volume level. That is speakers often don't show their full potential until 15%-20% power levels. Too big of a speaker, and you won't get into that sweet spot at the volume level desired. Much more expensive speakers exist than these.
Very good point! I wouldn't buy speakers with a single 4.5" woofer even for surround/Atmos duty! 86dB sensitive with voicecoils that'll smoke past 100w program power. Yeah that's a hard NO for me!
I can say probably a much better crossover and clarity with the best build I’ve seen on the market. I have the 3030i’s and one was knocked over by a dog with the worst case of the zoomies- fell face first (it’s screwed on to its stand) and didn’t make a single mark. It was on carpet, but very low pile. Beyond that, the soundstage is ridiculously large and the low end handles far more than what they claim.
@@Ry-lx2kl There might be other kind of desk setups I'm unfamiliar of, but if it's for PC audio a passive speakers system is not worth the trouble tbh. It's better to just get a pair of active speakers.
I've got a pair of 5020s (for £430) I have them in a small room upstairs and they're great. I've got another pair hooked up to a Yamaha A-S501. The other speakers are Triangle Borea Bro 3s and they're really good in that room as well.
Perfect timing on this video.... I've been wanting to redo my office setup and Q Acoustics 5010's or 5020's are on my shortlist. I've got a Fosi ZD3 in hand and a ZA3 incoming. Thanks for the great video. Again...
Ya, the 5000 series has been on the list for awhile now, seems like a great line of speakers for the price, high waf (wife acceptance factor, for my wife, who should know what that means but she kinda tunes me out during speaker related discussions…) anyways, thanks again Randy!
With the need/possibility to make tone adjustments because of room, speakers and amp pairing, I wish manufactures would go back to put them in every product made and sold. It was the routine in the old days, and no one complained except, maybe, the ones who thought their poop didn't stink.
Between watching your videos and all the emails I get about deals, it's getting real tough to not buy more speakers this year. Bought a bunch of new stuff 2 years ago, including replacing my entire main system and then buying speakers last year that I ended up not even using and just giving to my niece 😅. But now I have the itch again, including building another sub. Damn you! 😂
I am sooo happy that i live in the land of high prices! The 5010 cost about 660€ so you can get almost two pairs 😂😂. Life is!🤑 I have the 3020 for my tv set and just got 3030 for the other set + another pair to switch between!
Celebrating a little early with that mimosa drink? 😂 Lost control of your tongue, but no matter, my compromised hearing still understood. 😂 They look lovely and may put them on the list for 2026. 😂
I prefer a speaker with white chocolate presence, with perhaps a little tobasco on top. I also desire a sensitivity of 143 and a nominal impedance rating of 2 and one thirds. But if you REALLY want to see me salivate over a speaker, then wrap it in endangered species wood, platinum woofers, and taffy pulled tweeters. And last but not least, I will require that they be just expensive enough that I not need ask the price, lest I fall victim to "if you need to ask, you can't afford them" conundrum. So, with the above requirements in play, I expect they could only exist after a carefully drafted defense department acquisition product, much like the gold plated ashtray and elephant ivory toothpick.
You might appreciate this story Randy... My old band opened for Korn in '95 in Atlanta at the Masquerade. Sugar Ray was first on the bill, right before us. Anyway, we were all supposed to get a soundcheck before doors opened at 8pm but Korn used up the entire 3 hr soundcheck, mostly on mic'ing the drummer's dopey 9-pc kit. We spent most of the time smoking weed backstage w/ Sugar Ray. Good times.
I love Q acoustics.. Started off with the 3030is paired with the douk audio st-01 pro and then got a killer deal on the q acoustics 5040 (£440) manufacturer refurbished now paired with the Cambridge Audio cxa81. Sounds brilliant!
Gorgeous looking speakers. Price is hefty however. Would be purchasing the Polk R200's at this price point. Heck the Polk's are on sale on Amazon for $550 a pr right now.
What pair of speakers would you recommend, which are the size of the HomePod mini and the same sound quality or better? I don't have space on the table to put big speakers, and need something on the sides of the monitor. The homepods mini are perfect, but don't provide a wired connection, and AirPlay is not quite reliable when connecting from the Mac. As an alternative I got Creative Pebble Pro, wondering if there is something better. Thx for the good work!
I have the 50 series and Concept series setup in my showroom. When properly setup, as good as the 50 series is, they are no match for the Concepts. Imaging sets them apart. The Concept series is staggering. Q makes some of the best speakers available at any price.
Looking at these reminded me of the Micca RB42s, those curved angles, wraparound vinyl and the heft, eventhough they are at WAAY different price-points. How do they compare wrt bass response?
just heard you say something about people closer to you and to get gear?....i live in kansas city...not sure how close i would be to you...but now you know
@@Tortuosit let the grumpiness go now. The world has changed. RUclips is a very competitive environment and he has a family to feed. That doesn't stink quite so badly now does it?
Anyone have any thoughts on how the these and more specifically the 5020s are at low listening volumes? Curious how they would be compared with a comparable ELAC?
i gotta say...anyone who wears metallica shirts and has coffee cups with the metallica logo...CANT BE ALL THAT BAD :)...what other TALLICA stuff do you have?
I don't get how for example you don't like the ls50 meta because they don't have bass, yet the 5020 has even less bass then the meta's and you love that speaker XD
@cheapaudioman in small, uneven room I have, they do really good. I've started using dirac recently and that has honestly been the biggest upgrade. Even these small ls50s with low bass and great dispersion make chaos with room modes.
whoa laying the smackdown... any time some speaker is compared to a Sonus Faber is a win for that speaker. but to have it *beat* (sonically) the Sonus Faber at close to half the price is amazing. and sure, the amps matter but idk anyone who'd ding you for a Cambridge EX.
I've come to a conclusion: Cheapman is not normal. He changes speakers many times in a single year, just because something new comes out. But something new doesn’t automatically mean it’s an upgrade. It’s almost like every new video brings new recommendations. He tests, buys, sells, buys again, or gets free samples. Cheapman never acts like a typical user who buys something good, keeps it, and simply enjoys the music. He almost never talks about music itself-new releases, great albums, or anything related to enjoying music as an art form. This channel feels like an American TV infomercial: Buy, buy, buy! And it’s not just him. Almost all reviewers are like this: Steve Guttenberg, Joshua Valour, The Headphone Show, Crinacle, HiFi Insider, etc. This isn’t a path to happiness. It just creates anxiety. Always chasing “the best,” only to realize that the best doesn’t exist. What a poor way to live life.
Because of that the recommendations are not an users level. Dont need to delete my post, just think about the hole products your know. Its not only you, its the chain from the hole. Industry, consumers, new products...
I dont post it to offend you. Its just a thought. Im too do it, changes the perfect good products, I now realize how sick Im. How this search for greatness is fake.
It's very simple, instead of watching videos about new equipment (that you don't need because you already bought it) spend your time and enjoy the music. I'm not criticizing either, just saying.
"CheapAudioMan", once again spotlighting a $750 pair of mini-speakers with a single 4.5" woofer? Yeah at that point, I'll just stick with headphones. 🧐
Q Acoustics 5010 howl.link/9bev7k9znbqur (affiliate) Crutchfield
Q Acoustics 5010 bit.ly/4iEjiHO
I am so eagerly awaiting Randy's garage sale!
I have the 5050’s in the living room and they are so damn good! Love their unique styling and they are just a joy to listen to!
I love my Concept 50’s. They are non fatiguing and lifelike sounding. I would buy them again.
THANK YOU Randy for this review , And LOVE the shirt !!! Kevin is AWESOME !!!!!
For my desktop system I have some q acoustics 3020 the early rendition and I'm super happy with them they sound fantastic
Man, really liking the styling on these!
Yeah… they look slick!
I agree.
Ya Q speakers do look good for sure
What do you gain by spending $300 more for these little 4.5-inch driver speakers over the Elac Debut 3.0 db63s? Serious question. Why would anyone buy these over those except for aesthetics?
Why not just go with Micca rb42x's. Same size, similar cabinet design for only $150/pr. Usually the answer is crossover design, better quality drivers, better cabinet design (rigidity, low resonance). The reason for smaller speakers is usually space or room constraints. You wouldn't want to put a 6.5" bookshelf on a desk, for instance. There's also the sweet spot on speakers when it comes to volume level. That is speakers often don't show their full potential until 15%-20% power levels. Too big of a speaker, and you won't get into that sweet spot at the volume level desired. Much more expensive speakers exist than these.
Very good point!
I wouldn't buy speakers with a single 4.5" woofer even for surround/Atmos duty! 86dB sensitive with voicecoils that'll smoke past 100w program power. Yeah that's a hard NO for me!
I can say probably a much better crossover and clarity with the best build I’ve seen on the market. I have the 3030i’s and one was knocked over by a dog with the worst case of the zoomies- fell face first (it’s screwed on to its stand) and didn’t make a single mark. It was on carpet, but very low pile.
Beyond that, the soundstage is ridiculously large and the low end handles far more than what they claim.
@@Ry-lx2kl There might be other kind of desk setups I'm unfamiliar of, but if it's for PC audio a passive speakers system is not worth the trouble tbh. It's better to just get a pair of active speakers.
I agree. Moreover, even in terms of aesthetics, the Elac wins all day long..
Dat T-shirt !!! Thanks for another great video. I think I'm getting these for my bedroom.
I've got a pair of 5020s (for £430) I have them in a small room upstairs and they're great. I've got another pair hooked up to a Yamaha A-S501. The other speakers are Triangle Borea Bro 3s and they're really good in that room as well.
Thanks for sharing Randy.
Perfect timing on this video.... I've been wanting to redo my office setup and Q Acoustics 5010's or 5020's are on my shortlist. I've got a Fosi ZD3 in hand and a ZA3 incoming. Thanks for the great video. Again...
That 56hz is at -6db spec, not the usual -3db. So actual response is probably 60hz or so.
I’m on my way with my truck to help you unload gear!
Same. bringing some, err, mates too
My guy, who speaks plain English + knowledge + funny enjoyable content.
I had the 1010 model, a surprisingly good little speaker at a great price, it was perfect for the kitchen
How do they compare with Dalis?
Yeah, VERY GOOD question!
Ya, the 5000 series has been on the list for awhile now, seems like a great line of speakers for the price, high waf (wife acceptance factor, for my wife, who should know what that means but she kinda tunes me out during speaker related discussions…) anyways, thanks again Randy!
What?
Exactly 👍 😂😊
@@Brian_Romska ♥️🤣♥️🤣
Thanks Randy, just what I needed to know!
UK - 5010s down to £360, 5020s £419 in the UK if u do a little perusing.
I have 12.1 wharfdales would these be an upgrade or would the elac debut 3.5 be an upgrade? My amp is yamaha as301
With the need/possibility to make tone adjustments because of room, speakers and amp pairing, I wish manufactures would go back to put them in every product made and sold. It was the routine in the old days, and no one complained except, maybe, the ones who thought their poop didn't stink.
Those for sure would make some good computer speakers for gaming or watching RUclips videos.
Love your videos, especially trying to figure out what’s on the wrist, looks like a BB41
Agreed. One of the best in its class. Up there with Elac and Triangle as some of my favs.
Q acoustic concept series are astounding transparent?
Between watching your videos and all the emails I get about deals, it's getting real tough to not buy more speakers this year. Bought a bunch of new stuff 2 years ago, including replacing my entire main system and then buying speakers last year that I ended up not even using and just giving to my niece 😅. But now I have the itch again, including building another sub. Damn you! 😂
Thanks for another video Cheap Audio Man!
Those things look amazing!
You are crazy generous my friend ❤❤❤
I am sooo happy that i live in the land of high prices! The 5010 cost about 660€ so you can get almost two pairs 😂😂. Life is!🤑 I have the 3020 for my tv set and just got 3030 for the other set + another pair to switch between!
Celebrating a little early with that mimosa drink? 😂 Lost control of your tongue, but no matter, my compromised hearing still understood. 😂 They look lovely and may put them on the list for 2026. 😂
I prefer a speaker with white chocolate presence, with perhaps a little tobasco on top. I also desire a sensitivity of 143 and a nominal impedance rating of 2 and one thirds. But if you REALLY want to see me salivate over a speaker, then wrap it in endangered species wood, platinum woofers, and taffy pulled tweeters. And last but not least, I will require that they be just expensive enough that I not need ask the price, lest I fall victim to "if you need to ask, you can't afford them" conundrum. So, with the above requirements in play, I expect they could only exist after a carefully drafted defense department acquisition product, much like the gold plated ashtray and elephant ivory toothpick.
They do look pretty fine.
You might appreciate this story Randy...
My old band opened for Korn in '95 in Atlanta at the Masquerade. Sugar Ray was first on the bill, right before us. Anyway, we were all supposed to get a soundcheck before doors opened at 8pm but Korn used up the entire 3 hr soundcheck, mostly on mic'ing the drummer's dopey 9-pc kit. We spent most of the time smoking weed backstage w/ Sugar Ray. Good times.
That is the coolest story ever!
Skylabs! That place is SO cool!
I love Q acoustics.. Started off with the 3030is paired with the douk audio st-01 pro and then got a killer deal on the q acoustics 5040 (£440) manufacturer refurbished now paired with the Cambridge Audio cxa81.
Sounds brilliant!
Absolutely LOVE my 3030i’s. Would be cool if they had them with a bamboo or birch outer.
Gorgeous looking speakers. Price is hefty however. Would be purchasing the Polk R200's at this price point. Heck the Polk's are on sale on Amazon for $550 a pr right now.
Damn you! Why did I read your post? I'm trying my hardest not to by any new gear this year 😂.
Are these shielded? Like... could i stick them next to a CRT TV/Monitor?
I have a yamaha as301 with wharfedale 12.1 speakers and was wondering if these would be an upgrade or the elac debut 3.5s
What pair of speakers would you recommend, which are the size of the HomePod mini and the same sound quality or better? I don't have space on the table to put big speakers, and need something on the sides of the monitor. The homepods mini are perfect, but don't provide a wired connection, and AirPlay is not quite reliable when connecting from the Mac. As an alternative I got Creative Pebble Pro, wondering if there is something better. Thx for the good work!
Yeah, these Q Acoustics are so good and so affordable, that I immediately have to buy another pair of Dali Spektor 2s, just in case...
I have the 50 series and Concept series setup in my showroom. When properly setup, as good as the 50 series is, they are no match for the Concepts. Imaging sets them apart. The Concept series is staggering. Q makes some of the best speakers available at any price.
Recently got a pair of these, brand new, for £195. I reckon that's a 10/10.
Nice Shirt!
Nice work mate but Why have the speaker tucked behind the rack?? Surely not the best way to listen to them??
5020 are on discount for 419 euro for a rosewood pair in the store close to me
Could anyone help me with wich amps pair well with this speaker in a small room?
I'm in the Dallas area and if you need someone to come pick up "stuff" - let me know
Send me an email channel name at the g mail
Q acoustics are fantastic. They outperform many of my more expensive speakers.
Do a giveaway of stuff and the winners pay shipping!!!!
Looking at these reminded me of the Micca RB42s, those curved angles, wraparound vinyl and the heft, eventhough they are at WAAY different price-points. How do they compare wrt bass response?
What's with the vague video titles? They make searches almost impossible.
I thought you had a huge glass of OJ. 😂
Thanks fur another great video. Which watch you wearing in this video?
just heard you say something about people closer to you and to get gear?....i live in kansas city...not sure how close i would be to you...but now you know
All of your video titles are full of superlatives. That is not helpful.
You are taking it too seriously. He's just trying to grab your interest
@bigblueocean Sure he does. And still, clickbait and all that false advertising stinks.
@@Tortuositno one is forcing you to watch it.
@@Tortuosit let the grumpiness go now. The world has changed. RUclips is a very competitive environment and he has a family to feed. That doesn't stink quite so badly now does it?
Unless they are.
Randy, I have the 5040 and the acoustics center. Thought on the 5010's as rear left/right chanel for 5.1?
Off topic - what rack system is that for your components?
It’s a Pangea rack. Very nice and reasonably priced
Have you ever shown a multi speaker surround speaker set up for PCs?
Nice tee shirt; thanks for not whining for subs at the start 😃
Anyone have any thoughts on how the these and more specifically the 5020s are at low listening volumes? Curious how they would be compared with a comparable ELAC?
Shocked you like these but not LS50. Same scooped mid-range, at least in my setup. Insta-return.
Nice review! Out of my price range, unfortunately. But please note that "toroidal" only has one "i" in it, not two.
😊
I know have I Wish by Skee-Lo stuck in my head now. Thanks Randy lol
I can give you some insight into whether $700 is a budget item for a portion of a sound system or not. No.
I’m in Dallas and I can help you clean up your space…no shipping needed…
Same here, I’ve got a truck and 💪. Ready to help anytime!
What part of the country are you in? ...I am interested in stuff
I volunteer…Town and location of your best burger joint. Say when, I’ll be there …… bring me some good stuff you no longer use or test.
while i cant meet u. what if i paid 4 shipping?
Let’s say I could get the 5020s for $445 a pair OR the Concept 30 for $602. Which should I pick? Need advise and I don’t know who to ask?
I actually like the 5020’s better. The concept 30’s are gorgeous though. Just not as dynamic as I’d like
"Fake VU meters". Not sure I'm seeing the selling point but whatever floats your boat.
Fake VU meters are very buoyant
I think i'm in the wrong ecosphere here.
When I think budget speakers I'm thinking $60 bucks.
How do these sound vs Kef $1300 and SVS $1200 speakers. Can they get to 95 or above DB ❓
I don’t think these will hold together at 95. You’d need a beefy amp for that too
@cheapaudioman Thank you.
I always wanted to live in a world where $750 for some micro speakers was "cheap". Please let me know if they are ever $350.
I'm in Dallas, let me know when to meet😊😊
So what is the best amp to pair with wiim ultra to feed speakers and sub?
I agree bit expensive , other options that are better and cheaper. Ie Whatfdale Denton 80th edition
I know a trucker who can do a pick up
Please & thank you - What software are you using to edit?
Final Cut
@@cheapaudioman - Thank you.
i gotta say...anyone who wears metallica shirts and has coffee cups with the metallica logo...CANT BE ALL THAT BAD :)...what other TALLICA stuff do you have?
What is closer to you? With regard to giving stuff away. I'm sure it's not me in western NY but I don't know.
750??!! How can I then afford my computer habit?
Hey id drive to a place close to your location for some equipment. I can only imagine the cool stuff you have.
I don't get how for example you don't like the ls50 meta because they don't have bass, yet the 5020 has even less bass then the meta's and you love that speaker XD
5020’s sound is more natural and I feel like they’re more dynamic. If you love them though that’s all that matters.
@cheapaudioman in small, uneven room I have, they do really good. I've started using dirac recently and that has honestly been the biggest upgrade. Even these small ls50s with low bass and great dispersion make chaos with room modes.
They sound like they're better than the 3020s, which were warm seemingly to the exclusion of any other criteria. Yikes!
Please review the Concept 300/500 series.
If you live in the UK or Ireland do not buy from Richer Sounds....any problems the staff are clueless and pig ignorant...
$750 for a speaker with a 4.5" woofer? LOL Their previous 3030i with a 6.5" woofer sold for much less than that...
whoa laying the smackdown... any time some speaker is compared to a Sonus Faber is a win for that speaker. but to have it *beat* (sonically) the Sonus Faber at close to half the price is amazing. and sure, the amps matter but idk anyone who'd ding you for a Cambridge EX.
The important curves are on the baffle, which these seem to be missing.
Where do you want o meet?
I gotta ask.What state do you live in?I wouldn't mind a free subwoofer
0:34 Ah yes, the smooth jazz Hong Kong Phooey cover. Again. Ugh.
I can meet you in Denton, how about that?
Shame they only go down to 56Hz.
I've come to a conclusion:
Cheapman is not normal.
He changes speakers many times in a single year, just because something new comes out. But something new doesn’t automatically mean it’s an upgrade.
It’s almost like every new video brings new recommendations. He tests, buys, sells, buys again, or gets free samples. Cheapman never acts like a typical user who buys something good, keeps it, and simply enjoys the music.
He almost never talks about music itself-new releases, great albums, or anything related to enjoying music as an art form.
This channel feels like an American TV infomercial: Buy, buy, buy!
And it’s not just him. Almost all reviewers are like this: Steve Guttenberg, Joshua Valour, The Headphone Show, Crinacle, HiFi Insider, etc.
This isn’t a path to happiness. It just creates anxiety. Always chasing “the best,” only to realize that the best doesn’t exist.
What a poor way to live life.
Because of that the recommendations are not an users level.
Dont need to delete my post, just think about the hole products your know.
Its not only you, its the chain from the hole.
Industry, consumers, new products...
I dont post it to offend you.
Its just a thought. Im too do it, changes the perfect good products, I now realize how sick Im. How this search for greatness is fake.
It's very simple, instead of watching videos about new equipment (that you don't need because you already bought it) spend your time and enjoy the music. I'm not criticizing either, just saying.
Too bad they stuck a giant "Q" on the front otherwise I might be interested...
"CheapAudioMan", once again spotlighting a $750 pair of mini-speakers with a single 4.5" woofer? Yeah at that point, I'll just stick with headphones. 🧐
Hey Randy, I'm in NRH. I can help you with your giveaways - thanks
Shoot me an email