According to Q Acoustics, the new mid/bass driver design featuring the new C3 Continuous Curved Cone profile "elevates the 5050 and 5000 series beyond its class and will form a technical platform for years to come." Alongside the other models in the series, the 5050 also inherits the same cabinet and driver technology from the company’s flagship Concept range, delivering sonic performance while standing out with its elegant, minimalist design lines. The dark acrylic baffle motif also mirrors the minimalist cone profile.
The result of extensive research and expert engineering, the C3 Continuous Curved Cone profile combines the bass performance benefits of a traditional straight conic cone with the high/mid-range frequency control of a flared cone. The C3 cone's geometry also requires good motor strength and substantial magnets are coupled to large voice coils to increase motor strength, resulting in better power handling and control.
The dispersion pattern and well-controlled frequency response of the woofer's C3 Continuous Curved Cone design also ensures smoother high-frequency integration with the 1" dome tweeter. With a design taken from the Concept series but in a new housing, the high-frequency driver is fully hermetically sealed and mechanically isolated (floating) from the front baffle to protect from internal cabinet pressure and resonances from the mid/bass driver. The inner chamber is also carefully vented for lower distortion, with a lower crossover point for seamless integration through the crossover region.
Inside the cabinet, Point to Point internal bracing stiffens the structure to minimize lower frequency vibrations, while focusing stereo imaging and improving soundstage. Four Helmholtz tubes are fitted inside the 5050 to reduce internal pressure and standing waves. The deep bass dynamics from the C3 woofers are also superior, allowing more flexibility in placement of speakers near the wall boundaries of the listening room.
The baffle fronts are laminated with a layer of butyl rubber and black acrylic trim, not only to provide a damping layer to suppress vibration occurring in the baffle, but to offer an eye-catching counterpoint to the cosmetically clean front presentation uninterrupted by any fixings.
As with the entire 5000 series, the Q Acoustics 5050 speakers arrive in a choice of four modern but classic finishes that complement any living space, including the introduction of a new stylish lighter wood veneer. High-quality finishes include Satin Black, Satin White, Santos Rosewood and Holme Oak. The 5050 floorstanding model also comes with stylish solid aluminum stabilizers that feature adjustable spikes for easier leveling adjustment, and durable low-profile speaker terminals.
The new 5050 joins the 5000 series, which also includes the 5010 bookshelf, 5020 standmount, 5040 floorstanding, and the 5090 center-channel. Together, these models are also a complete line-up for a home cinema speaker set-up. With the new 5050 flagship, once again Q Acoustics proves that it pays off to improve speaker design were it matters the most, achieving great results even in affordable home audio systems.
The 5050 is available now and priced at EUR €1,699 or USD $1,999.
www.qacoustics.co.uk | www.qacoustics.com
