As you can see from some of my recent reviews, I’m starting to get into the world of audio in a much wider way than before. Of course, headphones are only one part of it, and speakers are another. Check it out today I have a set of the Q Acoustics M20 HD, a £389/$499 bookshelf speaker set that’s as simple as it gets very good – no need The app does everything you need.
Out of the box, the Q Acoustics M20 HD makes a solid first impression, with more classic styling than most computer speakers we’ve seen, with a nicely rounded cabinet and minimal controls—only power, Volume up and volume down. There is also a small LED indicator that glows in various colors depending on the source used (Bluetooth, optical, analog or USB). Most of the other useful controls are found on the sturdy remote that comes with the speaker, which controls media playback, volume, and changing audio sources—and there are plenty of them.
The M20 HD is a system that can be placed almost anywhere in your home – as long as you can run speaker wire between the two units – and feed it all manner of inputs. Think of it as some sort of audio base station, especially with the abundance of ports on the back of the right speaker. Everything from optical to aux, USB-B and RCA line levels are included, and there’s a subwoofer output if you want to add more low-end to your program. For wireless enthusiasts, support for aptX HD Bluetooth also makes it easy to stream high-resolution audio from compatible devices.
This wide range of connectivity makes the M20 HD an omnipotent wired or wireless music system that can be connected to anything from phones to PCs, or integrated into more sophisticated hi-fi systems with dedicated streaming or with RCA Line CD player-level ports. There’s even a switch on the powered speaker that allows it to switch between outputting left or right channel – handy if your power and audio sources are only available in one of the two speaker positions.
Now comes the most important bit – the sound. In short, the M20 HD sounds fantastic. They deliver rich, full-bodied sound with truly stunning clarity across a wide variety of music and sources. Listening to Jimmy Buffett’s Cultural Infidel reveals particularly clear and precise percussion, while turning to Phil Collins’ boisterous Wear My Hat packs plenty of punch. You might also want to describe the M20 HD’s performance as a bit “shiny,” as they handle the high end fairly well, providing a sense of refinement on percussion-driven tracks such as audiophile favorite Steely Dan’s Do It Again.
With that in mind, it’s easy to assume the M20 HD lacks punch on the low end. However, it is not. They don’t have an overly aggressive thumb like units I’ve tested with dedicated subwoofers such as the SteelSeries Arena 7, but the M20 HD speakers handle well without the subwoofer and have a good extended experience. The bass, guitar, and drums on this song are notoriously competitive, and the M20 HD handles it particularly well, with plenty of low-end rumble.
Their mids are smooth and gorgeous, making listening a real pleasure. A dedicated session listening to James Taylor’s Hourglass album demonstrates this well, with tracks such as Line ‘Em Up and Jump Up Behind Me sounding remarkably smooth and refined. It’s a beautiful sound, with plenty of depth, that’s for sure.
For every song I tested, and in my favorite games like CS:GO and Forza Horizon 5, the soundstage delivered by the M20 HD was exceptional. Granted, as standalone speakers rather than headphones or a soundbar, the soundstage they deliver can be huge, but the separation it offers is good. Listening to Peter Gabriel’s new single Road To Joy portrays this particularly well, with his voice coming in the center channel, while the song’s synths and percussion hit the side, and David Rhodes’ funky guitar playing in the background. Came from the other side. It’s a delight that the M20 HD can render some rather complex soundscapes so smoothly.
My only criticism of the M20HD is their size, as they are considerably larger than more typical bookshelf speakers at 296x279x170mm. To put them in, you’ll need a particularly large bookshelf or a deep desk. I just happen to have enough room to put them on my TV stand, where they’ll be for the foreseeable future, but unfortunately won’t fit on my desk then. If you do want to put them in, you just have to make sure you have the space. If you want something with similar options but smaller, consider the Ruark Audio MR1 MK2 speaker, which we also recommend.
Thankfully, you can at least use a switch on the back of the main speakers to adjust the tonal balance of the speakers based on whether they’re freestanding, against a wall, or in a corner—clever stuff. Foam plugs are also provided in case you’re using them against a wall and want to reduce their bass output.
In the grand scheme of things, £389/$499 isn’t really much for a set of bookshelf speakers this powerful. They can be a bit loud for certain rooms and spaces, but otherwise they give them a gorgeous, rich and refined sound with a great sense of timing and space, making them great speakers of all genres. The versatile options for music and gaming are alike. They also offer a wide range of wired and wireless inputs. If you’re looking for a set of powerful yet affordable wireless speakers for your living room, office, or anywhere else in your home, these Q Acoustics M20 HD are DF’s recommended speakers for the money.
