Versatile. Sound. Design.
Q Active delivers an entire high fidelity wireless audio system, serving up uncompromised audio quality while fitting seamlessly and conveniently into its user’s lifestyle.
What is Q Active? Q Active is an answer to the unfulfilling sound of modern wireless and Bluetooth speakers and bars. Q Active is also the answer for the audiophile who's ready to pare down and simplify. Flexible and versatile, Q Active creates stunning sound in even the most challenging environments thanks to its advanced engineering. And, of course, Q Active delivers the value of technology for the money that listeners expect from Q Acoustics.
"Their sound is fun, fleshy and detailed without any kind of “digital” sound — quite a feat for a very digital pair of speakers. And while they can do some audiophile tricks like proper imaging and killer transients, it’s the way they sound outside the “sweet spot” that endears them to the entire household."
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WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY
Enjoy a wide range of digital connection options, like Bluetooth® 4.1, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and even wired Ethernet and WiFi-based UPnP.
Q Active is Roon Ready, which means seamless, instant setup for high resolution playback from the popular audiophile music management software.
The hub comes in two versions, Google “Chromecast built-in”
Also, Q Active can integrate with the native app of your favorite streaming service -- Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Qobuz, Spotify and Tidal -- which means quick and easy access to a world of music from any device.
Q ACTIVE CONTROL HUB
Q Active’s hub is where it all starts. Digital and analog inputs are both losslessly converted to 24bit/96KHz high resolution digital audio, where they are then streamed to the speakers via a 5.8GHz signal. This means every type of source and format you want to listen to, including analog records or another line-level analog source (like a treasured SACD player), can be controlled wirelessly by the Q Active system. Enjoy seamless high definition audio no matter where it comes from.
MULTIROOM AUDIO INTEGRATION
There are some great new ways to easily organize and distribute audio to multiple rooms, and Q Active is designed to work with the latest technology from the industry leaders. Google "Chromecast built-in" offer simple integration based on your choice of Q Active hub. Apple Airplay2 and Roon users enjoy seamless connection no matter the style of hub.
Play the same song throughout the whole house, pipe different music to different zones or let the music follow you as you move throughout your day. The Q Active multiroom capability opens a world of new possibilities in your home music experience.
STUNNING HIGH RESOLUTION SOUND
Q Active can play back digital files up to 32bit/192kHz*, whether from its control hub via a smartphone or tablet. It wasn't long ago that CD quality (16bit/44khz) was too high resolution to stream, and MP3s dominated wireless music systems. But the Q Active is designed with a higher goal in mind, allowing modern high resolution releases to be played back in all their glory.
The result of all this painstaking and uncompromised engineering is extraordinary musical accuracy and consistently high audio quality. Q Active delivers a sonic performance way beyond its price.
*highest resolution files are converted to 24bit/96khz before streaming to speakers
ACTIVE AMPLIFICATION
In a typical home audio system there is one amplifier driving two speakers, which are themselves made up of multiple drivers. The speaker drivers all share the same source of power, and inside the amplifier the left and right channels typically share the same power supply -- what the amp uses to make music. In the Q Active system, each driver (there are three in each Q Active 200 speaker and four in each Q Active 400 speaker) is controlled by its own individual, specifically selected amplifier. And each speaker is powered individually, like a set of monoblock amplifiers in an audiophile system.
Using a total of six (or eight) discrete amplifiers, with a total of 280 (or 440) watts of power to drive the Q Active system means each individual driver receives its own carefully regulated amplification. As a result, Q Active is able to control each driver with accuracy and finesse which is one of the secrets to the magic. This allows Q Active speakers to sound bigger and more precise than you might think possible.
DYNAMIC WIDESCREEN SOUND
The unique look of the Q Active speakers is not primarily a design statement, but specific to the acoustic design of the speakers. Q Acoustics wanted Q Active to deliver as wide a soundstage as possible with no compromise in stereo focus for individual listeners, and specified Balanced Mode Radiators (BMRs) as the principle drivers for the speakers.
BMRs are amazing devices, and allow Q Active to project a palpable sense of imaging across your entire listening area, rather than restricting it to the ‘sweet spot’ of a typical audiophile setup. In addition to this widescreen presentation, BMRs stand out in midrange performance thanks to the lack of phase-disrupting filters. You see, these BMRs operate all the way down to 150Hz, where they hand over to Q Actives’ subwoofer driver. For such a small package they manage impressive output across nearly all frequencies. There is no midrange crossover distortion because there is no crossover, so the result is clean and uncolored midrange performance.
Offsetting the BMRs in the Q Active cabinet serves a function, too. It allows for a degree of fine-tuning in your listening room, as you can position the BMRs to the inside or the outside of the cabinets based on the proximity of walls nearby or to widen the presentation when the speakers are closer together. The offset also reduces edge diffraction, resulting in better imaging and focus.
POWERFUL, CONTROLLED BASS
Unique design extends to the back of the Q Active speakers, which typically isn't an area ripe for comment with average speakers. Again, Q Acoustics design stands out with clever engineering intended to make placement easier and deliver surprising bass even in difficult rooms.
The back of the Q Active 400 features two rear-firing 114mm / (4.5in) subwoofers, ported in their own internal enclosure, delivering fast, deep and beautifully organized bass. There is a waveguide or "lens" directly between the subwoofer cones and the back of the speaker and this area is open on the sides, allowing for full response even if the speakers are placed with their backs against a wall.
Q Active 200 bookshelves feature the same exact technology and identical subwoofer driver, but only one could fit the smaller cabinets.
Together with the rear-mounted boundary controls on each speaker, which allow Q Active to contour the bass based on where speakers are placed, the amount of flexibility in the Q Active system is completely unique in the price range.
For users, by following simple setup instructions provided by Q Acoustics, achieving full-figured, high resolution sound is finally made easy -- no advanced degree or golden ears required.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Speak to a HiFi Guide • 1-888-326-7490 • 8am to 5pm MDT
