Q Acoustics Announces Q Active 200 and Q Active 400 Speakers
The Q Acoustics catalog has been replenished with the first active models – the Q Active 200 shelves and the Q Active 400 floor stands. Structurally, the models are quite different from their passive counterparts: they are not just existing acoustics, to which an amplifier has been added.
The active models were developed from the ground up, the company said, aiming to create a flexible, no-compromise high-definition gaming system. Both new products received class D amplifiers and dual 2.25-inch Balanced Mode Radiators (BMR), shifted laterally relative to the central axis of the speakers, plus 4.5-inch subwoofers are located on the rear wall, supplemented by waveguides – one at the shelf models and two for floor speakers. The shelf model uses six amplifiers with a total power of 280 watts, and the floor model uses eight amplifiers for 440 watts.
There are two controls on the rear panel of the speakers: one selects the channel, right or left, and the other selects the bass calibration depending on the position of the acoustics in the room. All acoustics control is carried out through the hub – interfaces, including wireless ones, are connected to it. The speakers also communicate with the hub wirelessly.
Connectivity options include Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Roon, Spotify Connect, HDMI ARC, as well as the usual optics and analog input. There is a subwoofer output, as well as a built-in MM phono stage. The acoustics itself supports the streaming services Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Qobuz, Spotify and Tidal. There is support for connecting to a home network via UPnP. The built-in DAC is ready to handle 32-bit / 192 kHz input, but converts it to 24-bit / 96 kHz. Both models support voice assistants Siri, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and are ready to build multi-room on these ecosystems from Apple, Google, Amazon and Roon.
Active acoustics are available in black or white. The first to enter the market was the Q Active 200 with Google Cast – it can already be purchased in Europe for 1,999 euro, the racks will cost an additional 419 euro. Q Active 200 Amazon Works with Alexa and Q Active 400 will appear on the market in January. The company has not yet announced the cost of the floor model.
