The Q Acoustics 5020 is a relatively new bookshelf speaker model that was launched quite recently. Since its debut, the Q Acoustics 5020 has garnered plenty of praise from critics. The amount of accolades it has received in such a short amount of time is really impressive.
Q Acoustics 5020 is not the most affordable speaker model the company has to offer but it is still well within reach. This means you should have some budget left to get yourself a really decent amplifier to drive these Q Acoustics stand-mounters.
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Merits of Q Acoustics 5020
Q Acoustics 5020 is not just good because of its modest price point. The compact size of its speaker cabinet can be an attractive point for some listeners. It houses a 1″ (25mm) treble unit, followed by a 5″ (125mm) bass unit. The bass port is located at the rear and you will require some space between the back wall and the speaker. This is to prevent the walls from reinforcing the bass reproduction too much, causing it to sound overly pronounced.
For a small bookshelf speaker, the Q Acoustics 5020 can reach quite deep into the bass extension, down to 53Hz (-6dB) to be exact. The nominal impedance of the Q Acoustics 5020 is 6 Ohms and the recommended amplifier power is between 25 Watts to 100 Watts. Since its speaker sensitivity is 87.9dB, you might want to get an amplifier that can output power at a higher region of the recommended range. If it is for near-field listening, you can get an amplifier with slightly lower power.
More details of Q Acoustics 5020 at Amazon
They may be small in size but the soundstage the Q Acoustics 5020 can project does belies their size. The stereo imaging capabilities of the Q Acoustics 5020 help to define the soundstage really well. Musical instruments are separated clearly and the imaging is sharp. Q Acoustics 5020 speakers’ high clarity allowed us to hear the music details without the need to strain our ears. Overall, the Q Acoustics 5020 bookshelf speakers sound more musical than clinical. Not saying the 5020 is not accurate though.
The bass performance is quite light which also comes as no surprise since the Q Acoustics 5020 is a small bookshelf speaker. You can easily resolve this by adding an active subwoofer to supplement the bass reproduction. We have prepared a list of the best amplifiers that you can choose and match to your Q Acoustics 5020 speakers. Please take some time to consider them and you might want to work out a budget first.
The Best Amplifiers for Q Acoustics 5020
The NAD D 3045 is one of the best amplifiers for Q Acoustics 5020 speakers especially if you are planning to set up a desktop sound system. Not only the NAD D 3045 is compact, but you can also set it in an upright position. This gives you plenty of desktop space left for your other items like the Q Acoustics 5020 bookshelf speakers. NAD D 3045 has features that will fit modern-day music listeners. It has an asynchronous USB 24/192 input supporting MQA and DSD, a headphone amp, HDMI ARC, and more.
More details of NAD D 3045 amplifier at Amazon
The Denon PMA-900HNE is another amazing amplifier with a plethora of features and doesn’t cost a lot to get your hands on one. Listeners who like to use online music streaming services will be delighted to know that the Denon PMA-900HNE supports Spotify, Pandora, TIDAL, and more. This Denon amplifier also has enough power to drive your Q Acoustics 5020 bookshelf speakers. The neutral warmth of the PMA-900HNE can help make the Q Acoustics 5020 speakers sound slightly rounder.
More details of Denon PMA-900HNE at Amazon
Want more amplifier power to drive your Q Acoustics 5020 bookshelf speakers? If yes, you might want to take a look at the Cambridge Audio CXA81. It has a power output of 120W RMS into 4 Ohms and is packed with features. The Cambridge Audio CXA81 is an enthusiastic performer as well, its dynamic handling can help to add a bit more excitement when playing your favorite music through the Q Acoustics 5020 speakers. The energetic performance of the CXA81 doesn’t jeopardize the clarity of the music presentation.
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For Q Acoustics 5020 speaker owners who are still looking for small amplifiers, the NAD D 3020 V2 is an excellent choice for you. This is a very compact amplifier suitable for Q Acoustics 5020 users who are facing space restraints or planning to set up a desktop stereo system. You can place the NAD D 3020 V2 in an upright position which saves up a lot of surface space. It has sufficient amplifier power for nearfield music listening. If you need more bass, you can always connect an active subwoofer to the NAD D 3020 V2.
More details of NAD D 3020 V2 amplifier at Amazon
The Marantz PM6007 is one of the best amplifiers to go with your Q Acoustics 5020. It is an exceptional amplifier for listeners who want to add some warmth to the overall sound reproduction. The Marantz PM6007 is not just about warm-sounding, it can be a punchy performer when it needs to. There is high clarity too which matches well with the Q Acoustics 5020 bookshelf speakers, giving you a clear and detailed music presentation.
More details of Marantz PM6007 amplifier at Amazon
If you like the sound characteristics of Cambridge Audio amplifiers but don’t wish to spend too much on one. The Cambridge Audio CXA61 might be a good alternative for you. This award-winning amplifier is no doubt a worthy match for your Q Acoustics 5020 speakers. It has high sound quality for the money and is an energetic performer. Your music will sound a bit more exciting when pairing your Q Acoustics 5020 to the CXA61, without compromising the clarity and details.
More details of Cambridge Audio CXA61 amplifier at Amazon
To Conclude
These listed amplifiers are ideal choices for small listening rooms and will match well with the Q Acoustics 5020 bookshelf speakers. If you are planning to set up a sound system inside a mid to large listening room, you might want to reconsider using another pair of speakers that are larger than Q Acoustics 5020.
The lack of subterranean bass reproduction from the Q Acoustics 5020 stand-mounters can be resolved by integrating an active subwoofer. You should get amplifiers with a subwoofer output if you are eyeing to get a subwoofer for your sound system.
