These are Freaking FANTASTIC. Concept 500 Review!
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
- #Qacoustics #Concept500 #Review
Buy the Concept 500! amzn.to/3ddGkEx
Concept 500: bit.ly/3l2uAHB
Audio Art Cable: bit.ly/3gDSiYM
Sound clips with commentary: • Q Acoustics Concept 50...
0:00 Start
2:11 General Info
5:59 Treble Impressions
8:53 Mid Impressions
11:30 Bass Impressions
13:04 Soundstage
14:25 Measurements
16:39 Final Thoughts
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Your review is so colorful and descriptive.
After your review, I bought a gray pair.
I am blown away. After 30+ years in hifi hobby, these are the best speaker under $10k I have ever heard.
I plan to keep them forever!😎
Can I ask what amplification you are using? I have a Pass Labs Int-30, but worry it might be too smooth with this speaker.
Man alive! You've come a long way since you started this channel... The host in this video is confident, efficient, and emotive. Way to go Ron...good job.
Thanks Sean!
Gotta let you know Ron, Love your review style. I've been an audiophile for 50 years, seen a lot come and go over those years. Nice to see someone who looks normal (like me) that understands it's all about the emotional connection. Music is the journey, the system is the vehicle that takes you there.
Thanks Ron for the great review. It's nice to see when the engineers are allowed to make their concept a reality and have the beautiful finish match up to the vision.
It’s a rare day when a reviewer will provide a straight up, “I love this!” This is one to check out! Thanks, Ron!
Love this review please more of these. You help elevate and educate. I would never have heard Why So Serious - WOW!
Damn man, you have refined your review process over the years I have enjoyed your videos. From the “what’s inside” series to overall set reviews, you have gotten better with time... cliche as it may be, you’re alike a fine wine from any of the five Chateau’s of France!
Thank you!
First off, compliments to you for the thorough & most informative review. Biases aside, we totally concur and are extremely excited to feature the Concept 500 Loudspeakers at our studio in downtown Toronto. 😎
Another awesome review from NRD...! Keep 'em coming Ron. Love what your doing! I have to admit though... Watching your channel makes being unemployed all the more difficult. My HiFi wish list just keeps growing!
Hi Ron - from what you liked here, it seems you would like some of the higher-end KEF loudspeakers. I have had some Reference Three-Fours for about 20 years now and have no need to look for 'the next speakers' at all. They still tick all the boxes. In fact, since I tuned my system they sound better than ever. All the best, Rob
Wow! Those recordings you mentioned were spot on. Amazing
Hey Ron, killer video man, they are not for me but you keep improving your delivery and the quality of your videos, awesome, great job. I been following you for awhile and i can appreciate the quality of the content thank you so much.
Thanks for being a part of it!
Your best review yet interesting and concise. Bravo!
Another great video Ron. Love the new intro! Thumbs up.
MTM design, curved front baffle, narrow width, focus on cabinet resonances, quality components and high sensitivity lead to a speaker that sounds good? Who'd a thunk it?
As far as the vertical lobbing associated with MTM designs, it looks like you are pretty good if your listening area is not any "taller" than the yellow line on your graph. I am also in the camp that thinks a decrease in response off axis amplitude actually helps control room bounce off of the floor and ceiling in this case. Not that super padded shag rugs are not in style... In Arizona. :-)
That C.S.D. plot ... sweet!
Its no wonder they sound good in essentially any application. Perceived tonal balance/FR is affected by the room etc, ... one can adjust for that. But a CSD plot like that is so workable in various applications.
Damn, dude. Ron, you almost kinda looked like you were getting a little emotional at the end there, but I totally get it. Music and HiFi moves the deepest part of my soul. There was a time a bit ago that I just felt kinda jaded and fed up with the whole thing, but luckily that passed. Seeing your true love of music and HiFi that a certain speaker set up just right with the right electronics backing em up can bring you is a totally magical thing, and I wish more people could experience it.✌️🎶🙂
ron, excellent, excellent review. very informative and "revealing"! how i wish i could afford them! i have the Q acoustics Concept 40 and have really enjoyed them during these last 2 years. it's obvious the Concept 500 are on a league of their own...
Don't feel bad, I can't afford them either. Bought some Concept 40's today.
@@MaterLacrymarum hey! cool! i bet you will love them...have tried several times to update my Q Acoustics concept 40 and I always end up returning the other speakers I bought (Elac, Revel, Tekton) ! LOVE the Q Acoustics. extremely honest but engaging, very nice soundstage, very dynamic, just a tad on the warm of neutral.
@@themastroiannis Sounds good. I've had my delivery, and they're sitting in boxes in my hall. Just trying to muster the energy for the unboxing. To be honest, I'd much prefer warm over analytical.
2022 and still buying and love these. Matched gracefully with a Gryphon Diablo amp. Compared with a McIntosh 352, the Gryphon Diablo make the soundtage wider and vocal more locked center and upfront. Highly recommended.
Had these at my house for an audition. Your review is very spot-on. This is really a great speaker that most people would love for all the reasons you state. The only place I felt they they fell short (to a small degree) was with slam and bite. I am a nut for percussion and these speakers were just a hair polite on the leading edge of some percussive sounds. Hard rock was also "smooth" in some way. Classical, chamber, folk and some jazz were really the sweet spots. Electronic and metal were less so. Lastly, in my room, the bass was huge. No need for subs unless for HT.
May I ask what amplifier you were using with them when you tried them.
@@JustinBenn musical fidelity m6500.
I have these as well and agree with you on all points. These are a little polite for rock and electronic and sound best at moderate to high volumes. If you play a lot at lower volumes these are polite and therefore a different speaker that has more projection and liveliness in sound would suit better for low to moderate volumes.
I am now looking at the Martin Logan XT F100 as well.
Excellent review bro. Well done.
Wow! Thanks for this review!
Welcome
Great review! I am always impressed!
Thanks Mark
Awesome review!
Q Accoustics - pay attention. I knew nothing that would make me consider these speakers
until this review. Yes, the C-500's are drop dead gorgeous - congratulations - but, other than some very good (other) reviews such as WHAT HI-FI etc ... nothing peaked my interest until today. Now, I am a sucker for good looks when it comes to audio AND I admit, I would sacrifice a (very) little in sound quality for same. However, based on what I am hearing here from Ron ... maybe I can have both? This is my year to purchase and my Amp has been decided upon (Hegel). Thank you Ron and the boys in the eye candy department at QA.
Fun fact: it's not 'peaked my interest', it's 'piqued my interest'. For real. Look it up :). And for future reference, it's 'jibe', not 'jive'.
Great and very accurate review Ron. I'm loving mine which I bought a lot less than the retail price here in Australia. Cheers
Care to share your buying secret? With love, Ken
@@kenstephens2955 Previous distributor was clearing remaining stocks at 40% off the retail price. Which I think was a bargain at this discounted price.
One of not-very-many speaker brands that are cheaper in Australia than the rest of the world. Had the Concept 40s and was determined to try another brand, but bang for buck won out and I'm pretty satisfied with the 500s. As Ron says, just a tad laid back on some sources (but less so than the 40s) so I added a small sub.
I have their budget 3050 speakers and love the way they sound, so can only image the extra quality of those puppies.
Hey man i do have the 3050 too original version, they are very nice 🙂, watch thomas and stereo the review of the klipsch towers, he said that he enjoy those klipsch at around 500 each more than these q accoustic just a thought
@@TexasCorgiGun that's because Thomas is a fan of V curve speakers, and the Klipsch are definitely voiced this way. The Q acoustics follow the British tradition of attention to midrange. It is down to preference.
It IS a truth as crazy as it sounds, but you're right about the foam plugs. They sure saved my bacon. I have a pair of very expensive bookshelves that are as boomy as it gets and the supplied foam plugs restored their low end response. Night and day difference.
Would be really interesting to see them make this as a 3 way speaker with additional 3 6.5 inch basselements . I would definately buy it based on look alone 😄 A comparison between concept 500 and the AE 520 I own would be fantastic, since they seem to have the same "laid back" top end.
Fantastic review...listened to these with a naim uniti star and wow
That was one excellent review. I must have a listen to a pair of these at some point. I’m wondering how they might compare to my Harbeth M40.1’s.
entirely agree. had these for a while now down in Oz, and they still satisfy and exhilarate. I have a 15in Klipsch sub matched with them. don't like the reflective gloss however - scratches and reflections distracting.
Would love to hear those.
Brilliant review💯
Those speakers look amazing, a finish second to none, great to hear the sound equally matches that!
What’s the outro music?
Thanks
Great review from (apparently) great speakers; thanks Ron.
Great review! Is love to build out a pair of Danny's X-MTMs using a well braced and layer dampened build even if i could never get them to look as beautiful as these do. 😌
Geez Ron thanks for mentioning Ben Howard. Now I have another songsmith to listen to. Since I've been working on my audio gear I am finding out what is played on the radio is not all that should be listened to. Thanks again!!
One of my all time favorites
Other manufacturers don't offer bungs to plug ports because they use bass drivers that only work in ported cabinets. Few bass drivers work in both sealed and ported boxes.
it dos not happen often nor should it, but I love it when you can say" I love it great phenomenal speaker" good job and one I will explore thanks great job
These are just about the same as Danny's GR Research X-MTM Encore speakers that I am building now. But I am heavily modifying them to my preferences and adding additional bass drivers to get the low end down to about 30Hz and not build a separate subwoofer. They are painted in a metallic gold paint that costs more than all the rest of the parts of the speakers but I think that it's worth it. They look so cool with bright pin spots on them.
I just finished a set of X-MTMs with only Danny’s cap and resister upgrades, and front mounted ports to accommodate the room they are in. I clicked on this review to hear what Ron has to say about the 500. A lot of what Ron has to say about the 500 I would say about X-MTM... You will really like the X-MTM... for how much less....
Nice review there amigo. Almost as good as that No Fidelity guy. About equal with the cheaper audio chap.🤘
A smartly engineered - inside cabinet of these produce the magic(low resonance and distortion) Excellent drive unit designs that are smartly mounted.
To top it off the Concept 500 look awesome on the outside. Interested in selling them ? ? 🤞
Hey Ron. Great video. Curious if you've heard the Von Schweikert Endeavor E-3 Mark IIs which at $9k similarly put a lot of effort into damping to get that clean grain free sound and also has 90db sensitivity like the q acoustic. I'm a huge fan of VSA's GAIN crossover network topogy which sounds fantastic with amazing imaging from a huge sweet spot. I'm curious how these two speakers would compare. I find the E-3s seriously punch above their weight class. You should try and get one of their from Leif Swanson over there if they are even doing reviews. I heard they're selling as many as the can make into the Asian market this year so maybe not.
Yes! My dream speaker! Iam a fan and have owned open baffle speakers! These are incredible!
Great testing methodology
Thank you for the review Ron. Awesome job! I very much enjoyed my Q Acoustics 3050i but I had to replace them because while they were exceptional at moderate to to loud levels they were sounding very dull and flat at low volume especially at the high frequencies. Can you or someone else share their experience how the concept series sound at low volume levels? Thanks!
Dang those look B.A. ! I mean gorgeous thanks Ron and AAC for the video !
I've not heard these speakers, but on paper it looks different (and better) than other products of that cathegory.
In the same appolito style, take a look at Living Voice, it's really good...
Hello Ron, many greetings from Cologne, Germany. Thank you for your entertaining youtube channel, always happy to see your positive movies that help one a little better through the difficult times. Music tip from Germany: Nils Frahm.
Stay healthy.
Greetings from Switzerland canton Aargau. I agree with Stephan's *Nils Frahm* tip - my favourite is *Wintermusik*
Hello and thank you for that great review. Could you compare them with Fyne Audio F702? What do you think are the differences betweem them? I think the Fynes are also little on the darker side speakers, so kind of simmilar "sweet" sound as the Concept 500's... can not decide though... thank you
Thanks 🙏 What amp would you recommend to take the most out of it?
I love your videos all of them. This one in particular but the speakers are out of my price range is there any possibility that you can tell us about the concept 40. I can’t find any reviews on this speaker and it’s more affordable people of done the 3050s but not the concept 40 that I can find. I noticed that the drivers are positioned differently than other Q products and it causes a bit of concern. Please advise
One day I'll get these!
The measurements are good, it can't be bad!!
Hi Ron
You have also heard the MTM from GR-Research are they of the same caliber as Concept 500?
I would like to build a few MTM's myself and possibly from GR-Research. What is your opinion?
Regards Winston
maybe a perfect combination with my wilsenton r8 tube amp,great review
Can I ask, what amp did you use and do you think a Denon pma a-110 is a good match with the concept 500?
I freakin' love that Ben Howard album.. Damn.
Hi Ron, what centre speaker you recommend to go with Concept 500 ?
NICE REVIEW! WHAT ANCILLARY GEAR DID YOU PREFER?
Ron, did you use Technics integrated amp and your Holo Audio May Dac to evaluate the Comcept 500?
Thanks Randy, I mean Ron, lol
cheapaudioman? lol
I used to have a pair of Q Acoustic 3050i’s. They were mightily impressive, for the price. Actually, they’d have been impressive had they been more expensive. So, when I decided to upgrade, the Concept 500 would seem the natural progression. I auditioned them at 3 separate retailers, driven by numerous premium amps. I was disappointed. They just sounded, flat, lifeless even.
Along with the Concepts, I auditioned B&W, ATC, Kef, Spender among others. Eventually settling for the Kef R11. They’re not perfect, nothing is! But they ticked most boxes for me!
i upgraded from the 3050i's to the concept 500's. Would have to disagree with your impressions, but of course can only speak of my own impressions. Soundstage and depth is just massive and deep on these in comparison. I guess i have spent alot of effort on room treatment and placement etc.
Ron you mention open baffle quite a bit ...
does open baffle work well in a small room or is it more for medium and larger rooms?
I literally just got my Concept 500's yesterday, in the Silver/Ebony as well.
Enjoy them!
Ideal for electronic music... great speakers for sure!
Great review, though they should be very good speakers for the price. I wonder how they'd compare to the Magnepan 3.7i's.
10:00 lol, funny enough the crossover part are very high end mundorf... that was right spot on
Hi Ron, is the rega Brio-R would match with the Concept 500 ?
Hello Ron, hope all is great with you !, I have a pair of PMC Twenty5 26, and I have been having this itch of "WHAT IF THESE ARE BETTER ?...are they in the same league ?, Honestly I have no idea how would they compare ... 😬
You'll be hearing from Sonus Farber lawyers in the next couple of days!🤭🤭🤗😇 Great review as always!
lol. No mafia ?
I'm measuring good audible bass down into the 20hz region with these speakers due to room unloading giving a boost. A subwoofer isn't particular needed for music duties i would say. But YMMV.
Hi, need help
I am using yamaha a-s201 amp. It played very well with monitor audio and b&w speakers (both 8ohm)
I tried yamaha nsf51 (6ohm) and where with 8ohm speakers at 50db was fairly loud, with nsf51 at same volume 50db is very quiet. At maximum loudness far from what i had with monitor audio/b&w speakers. On the back of A-s201 states 8ohm minimum. Ok I understand maybe they didn’t match well, even tho i was advised 6ohm speakers will play even louder. Now i got wharfedale 11.3 (4-8ohm).
So a-s201 should have no problem right, as the speaker is fully ok to be matched with 8ohm amp. But unfortunately exactly same problem with loudness as when it was with nsf51 speakers.
What is happening here?
Many thanks!
What amplifier would suite sonicly to the speakers?
Dude, your reviews are always great. I watch your reviews even with equipment that I wouldn't buy !
Thanks man! Wouldn’t be the same without you along for the ride!
Will these do well in a large room?
Man, I bet those Q500s pair up rather well with the Holo May in the background!
Excellent review,Ron!But why don't you show in room measurements,as you did many times before?Many thanks from Greece!
You find my in room measurements useful?
@@Newrecordday2013 Of course!Every room and every setup will measure differently-especially in bass and lower mids but I am more interested in low end extension in room.
I I have some what I feel is a solid SWAN DIY 3.1 book shelf speakers I build and played that song you suggested in the video "Why so Serious". That song is so dynamic and demanding my speakers , which I really like totally crapped out. It was trying. the port was totally chaffing and rattling. It takes a serious speaker to play that song well. Thanks for sharing, now I need to get something better. I like building speakers. Any DIY kits anyone recommends that could come close to the Q Accustics 500s??
Get a hold of Danny. Gr-research.com. He also cares about resonances.
Ron, will you giving us a sound review on theses? Would love the hear them.
It’s in the description
@@Newrecordday2013 Sorry , just saw it. Thanks
Quality reveiw m8 😀
Great review and looks matter!
Thanks!
Depends on what the reference is!!!
Nothing turns me off faster than harsh, grainy, ringy and sibilant treble and upper mids. This area needs to be clean and clear but also harmonically complete to not sound flat. I wonder how these speakers cope with the all important 90% of my collection where the recordings arent "audiophile" demo (read boring) worthy
Heard Q-Acoustics at RMAF 2019 in the Vinni Rossi room. Was different model cost $10k. Sounded excellent!
I'd like to hear Danny saying: Ron, bring in, these cheesefree speakers! :-)
hi, may I know the title of the music at the end of the review. Thanks.
I love the slide guitar on the intro, it sounds really good even a phone, who is it? And can you say what music you enjoy and use on your video? Thank you, Michael
Sound Hound app says it is:
Rhythm of the River , J.F. Gloss , Rhythm of the River.
I appreciate the information. Tidal has this artist on playlist.
@@michaeloconnor5602 Its on Spotify as well if anyone cares. I find their "highest" bitrate a bit ... stream-like. IMHO FLAC in Foobar in exclusive WASAPI mode still beats everything.
@@NightFlight1973 Hi, Thank you for your reply, When you say "their highest", do you mean Tidal or Spotify? I understand what FLAC is but...Foobar, WASAPI.. stream-like.. I'll have to do some homework I think! Keep up the good work.
can you do the concept 500 with subs for one bass track thanks
Ron I'm guessing you're not going to send this off to Randy at Cheapaudioman just 0 over his budget and about 000 over mine. Oh but to dream what my ears would hear, great video.
Hi, would the Naim Uniti Atom drive well these speakers? That’s the combo I am looking at to get. Thanks for your advise
Should be fine with that combo!
New Record Day thansk a lot for the reply 👍 any other option you would recommend vs the Naim? :) in the same price range of course ;)
@@rainergieringer7600 I'm going to butt in if you don't mind 😁 I heard them with a Hegel h390 and a Hegel h590 which have built in streaming. They sounded brilliant with both. Imaging, dynamics, mid range body & smoothness were just right for my taste. It was a lovely combination for cello suites, acoustic rock and other intimate music where you really want the speaker to just disappear. Honestly I felt that if I had to spend the next decade listening to nothing else but the Concept 500s and a Hegel 390 just playing Spotify or Tidal I'd still be happy. My friend in our local hifi store says she has sold these with Unitis, Cambridge CXNv2 & CXA81 combos and some other cheaper amplification than the Hegels. She likes them best with a Rega Aethos. They demo well with a range of equipment but they can do justice to serious hifi amplification. I really wanted to hear these with tube amplification.
sdemosi thanks for the information. Yes I try to get also an audition but not easy these days. I had KEF LS50W and wanted to upgrade to the LS50W 2 and sold it. But the black version not available so I started to look for options and my wife agreed on floor-standing speakers to have a chance. Since always bookshelf speaker over 10 years. I found a very good deal for the QA500. Nearly half the price then Germany. :) so they come nearly to the price of the KEF LS50 W2 with stands. So the additional cost of the streamer should be justified ;) I stream but also vinyl so Hegel or Naim Atom should be a good option :)
tweeter attenuation :-) why don't more do this....? currently £3.6k in uk
I just missed out on a pair of these thanks to the pandemic and less work hours.
These Vs the Salk Beats or the Salk Encores?
How would they be for 60's rock n roll?
“Why So Serious” isn’t on that Album when played with Apple Music, is there a different version?
Zimmer (and that album now!) fan, but that tracks not not it.
Help!
I know it's been a loooong time, but do you have recollection of how these might compare to the Salk Veracity ST?
These are better. Thanks!
@@Newrecordday2013 ask Jim to let you review the SS7F. The RAAL 70-20XR tweeter is lovely especially mated to the Accuton mid and Wavecor woofers.
Review there concept 50 when your ready, heard only positive reviews so far and would appreciate feedback.
I got them in house and they sound fantastic
Now do the 300s. :)
Hi Q Accoustic concept 500 with Yamaha as2200
A lot of people (i.e. me) have no way to properly place open baffle/dipole speakers properly in their living space. Maybe those Linkowitz Mini's, but otherwise, no. It's not happening. I need something I can jam against a wall and into a corner. This is New York, baby.
Stop it Ron, my checkbook can only take so much. First the Unifi 2.0 now this? But seriously are the Unifi even in the same conversation as the Concepts when it comes to sound stage and imaging?