Did the English writer, painter and social reformer John Ruskin perhaps get it wrong after all? He is the author of the famous quote "The law of economics forbids getting a lot of value for a little money ... It doesn't work". - It does work, one would like to call out to him in the face of the Q Acoustics 5020, a loudspeaker that has only been available for a good month. The press release for the new 5000 series was slightly misleading, as it read: "Located between the 3000i series and the models of the Concept series ...". Are the new speakers simply a bridge between the other two series - or do they turn out to be the "golden mean"? That's what we want to find out in this test.

For years, the 3000i models from Q Acoustics have been part of the i-fidelity.net test routine. The compact 3010i (300 euros/pair) with their price/performance ratio are the perfect introduction to good-sounding music listening. They are regularly in use at i-fidelity.net. There are visual similarities to the new series, especially the shape of the cabinets, which are available in white, black, rosewood and oak with rounded corners. This flowing design prevents the impression of a boxy cabinet. Currently, four models are available: the compact speakers 5010 and 5020, the centre 5090 and the floorstander 5040. They will be joined by the larger 5050 in the course of the year. Thus, with this series, reasonable two- and multi-channel solutions can be realised in rooms of different sizes.

The seven-kilogram 5020 is a bookshelf speaker, a designation i-fidelity.net has never liked. Of course, these speakers can be placed on a shelf or sideboard and they will naturally make music there, but they fall short of the possibilities offered by a free-standing setup. For this purpose, Q Acoustics offers the inexpensive 3000FSi stands (219 euros/pair). These stands are coupled to the floor with height-adjustable spikes, the speaker itself is securely fixed to the top plate with two screws so that nothing wobbles or tilts. From a sound perspective, this type of set-up offers the greatest possible potential. If you don't like the look of the drivers, you can attach a cover that sticks to the baffle with magnets. However, it is a little too small - just look at it at an angle and it will come off the front.