Bruce, decorum...pleaseUm, did you mean you prefer busty blondes to speakers as a personal "thing"?
Sam,
He was simply stating that tastes in speakers differ among folks, just as do tastes in other things.....
Lee
More on the Q5s
- Thread starter mauidan
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Sam,
He was simply stating that tastes in speakers differ among folks, just as do tastes in other things.....
Lee
Bruce I am in agreement with you about the Magico exhibit. I spent most of my time talking to Alon and Irv. Then again I had already made up my mind that the Q5 is a world class speaker. I am sure we both had a better time in the Evolution Acoustics room.
that's interesting. from the pictures, it looks much smaller (the speakers look crammed into the corners). JA did confirm these measurements on the other forum though.
This was not connected with the Q5's sound quality. It was just that as a black speaker, with black highlights, and the name tastefully picked out in black, our art editor didn't feel it would make for a newsstand-worthy cover. Especially when compared with the red Focals we eventually used.
John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile
Just learned from this forum that two distinct members who own Alexandria X2 use them with high quality sub-woofers. It seems that the discussion about the bass of the Q5 is of limited practical interest - most surely they will be used with sub-woofers. May be the question should be - what is the best sub for the Q5?
Valid observation... My experience with multi-subs in a 2-Ch arrangement have made me a adherent to that approach with ANY speakers, especially full range.. The interesting thing is that the bass "character" of he main speakers seem to be retained, so ...
The low sensitivity (84 dB !!??) is to me a no-go.. Not that I am presently shopping for speakers ...
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Frantz, that is an interesting point you make. that is one of my main concerns, namely, i bought the Q5's for their refined (sealed) detail. i have listened to and decided not to purchase many of the major brands that have a ported structure given my taste stated above. having said that, i also agree with the statement that the bass spectrum is the foundation for other spectrums. i have been wondering, if i go the sub(s) route, will i lose many of the Magico qualities that i enjoy so much?
Regarding the power (low sensitivity) there is no doubt that these speakers require a lot of power and moreover, good power. i run them on Soulution 700 monoblocks and would guess that any SS or tube would have to be quite strong.
http://www.avguide.com/blog/best-sp...co-q5-loudspeakers-jvs-listening-room-how-q5s
"With the enclosure problem effectively solved, the Q5s truly do sound like electrostats (CLXes as a matter of fact) with all the virtues of dynamics added in." - JV
"With the enclosure problem effectively solved, the Q5s truly do sound like electrostats (CLXes as a matter of fact) with all the virtues of dynamics added in." - JV
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Anyone following JV's blog over on the AVguide.com site on the Q5's? JV seems to be getting a lot of heat of late, but his blog seems very informative to me.
Yes, it's very interesting.
He doesn't seem to have any problems with the Q5's bass response like Stereophile's MF.
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My guess is JV's ARC 610Ts do a better job than MF's Musical Fidelity amps in the lower midrange/upper bass on the Q5s.
Based on the impedance curve and sensitivity measurements in the Stereophile review, I don't think any Lamm amps need to apply for the job.
The reference MF amps will be fine, listen to any of the KW range sometime and they are up there with the best for handling speakers.
I will hunt down my copy of Hifi+, Alan Sircom reviewed both the Q5 and also the Dynaudio Confidence (think thats what they are called) model, I think he mentions the bass being deeper and stronger (ok on the Dyn it went down to 17hz) on the Dynaudio but in his opinion the Q5 is the better speaker.
Cheers
Orb
I will hunt down my copy of Hifi+, Alan Sircom reviewed both the Q5 and also the Dynaudio Confidence (think thats what they are called) model, I think he mentions the bass being deeper and stronger (ok on the Dyn it went down to 17hz) on the Dynaudio but in his opinion the Q5 is the better speaker.
Cheers
Orb
If there is a controversy or argument about whether the Q5 has authoritative bass, then by definition, the Q5 does not have authoritative bass.
The Q5 images well on the upper end. The bass does not convey the proper weight and scale, and is not seemlessly integrated into the upper midrange and high frequencies. For the price and hype, I would have expected better bass, particularly the quality. If some define bass in quantity, such as a thwack on a kick-drum, then I guess it would probably do that.
I also find it interesting to see that anyone considers JV to have any remaining credibility. He is so intertwined in the business of the industry, that his opinion is not worth the internet bandwidth on which it resides. I don't even find him to be entertaining.
The Q5 images well on the upper end. The bass does not convey the proper weight and scale, and is not seemlessly integrated into the upper midrange and high frequencies. For the price and hype, I would have expected better bass, particularly the quality. If some define bass in quantity, such as a thwack on a kick-drum, then I guess it would probably do that.
I also find it interesting to see that anyone considers JV to have any remaining credibility. He is so intertwined in the business of the industry, that his opinion is not worth the internet bandwidth on which it resides. I don't even find him to be entertaining.
Robert, i don't know your experience with the Q5, but I find the Q5's that i own completely different than you describe. i have never heard anyone state that the bass doesn't seamlessly integrate with the upper midrange and higher frequencies. The argument i hear seems to be different, namely that they do not have the 'thwack on a kick-drum' rather they produce a very refined and tight bass as expected with a sealed design. i think MF is basically stating he prefers the ported sound and JV prefers a sealed design sound.
Bruce B
WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
I don't see that this argument holds any water. I have a sealed design AND authoritative tight/refined bass.... down to 7Hz!
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Wow Bruce! Would you care to elaborate? Or are you talking about busty blondes again? BTW, any cheap car subwoofer with a built in class D amplifier, EQed and cranked to the max will give you (and MF, apparently) the bass you seem to be looking for? I don't see why you would want to spend high-end money for that kind of experience.
Bruce B
WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
Now if someone could build speakers with the silhouette of a busty blonde, then..... ??
I'm just saying you shouldn't stereotype sealed vs. ported woofers. There are good and bad ones of each. I've heard ported woofers that had great, articulate, refined bass response as we have a sealed enclosure that has bass slam.
Hi
Not replying for Bruce, he is old enough
but this is strong. I do understand the need for the best midband possible.. I have not heard the Q5 but for many who have heard have found that its bass performance does not stand out and that is a constant. Some can be quite satisfied by the “bass” from mini-monitors and find themselves content with the descriptive rather than suggestive bass such loudspeakers provide. True High Fidelity is about the full range of frequencies the ear and body can perceive and in that sense the reproduction of the lower bass is the what truly separates the SOTA from the not-bad-at-all. It is not an accident that speaker with any pretense of SOTA status make sure they reproduce the bass as well as possible. I would even dare say that a good portion of the price/cost of SOTA systems is in their bass performance/drivers when the low end is properly reproduced, music reproduction takes an added realism. It’s no accident that more and more audiophiles with speakers capable of serious and clean low bass “augment” these nonetheless with even more robust subwoofers. No one would ever mistake the Wilson Alexandria X-2 for bass-shy speakers, yet two members here in this forum have mated them with JL Audio Gotham subwoofers… I am sure neither have the subs you alluded to in their cars EQd and cranked to the Max… but I am certain their system can reach the single digits. The addition of these subs have added to their systems rather than subtracted as the “old” audiophile orthodoxy would have made you thought. I have heard one of these systems and anyone who has will tell you that taking the sub out removes a good part of the realism of the reproductions which sans-subs remain excellent by the way. My personal experience with speakers capable of clean loud and body-parts- rattling low bass, flat down to 25 Hz was that the realism and veracity of the reproduction was enhanced by the addition of, yes, three subs which brought my system response from 10 to 40 KHz within, plus or minus 6 dB .. No typo these speakers were capable of such ultrasonic capabilities… to entertain any passing bats …If one is willing to spit above $50K for a speaker isn’t it important that the bass performance be at the level of such a serious expenditure? I am not saying that the Q5 is not capable of such, I haven’t heard it. I simply find interesting that many have found its bass lacking and to me until I hear it, that’s not a plus, neither is its very low sensitivity which mandate powerful amplifiers to reach realistic SPL on many material.
Interesting the amount of bandwidth this speaker has generated. I have to find a way to audition it. Having heard its kin the Mini II at length however, my money would be on the Rockport Aquila, a speaker of distinction but strangely under the radar .
Hi Frantz, these speakers to get a lot of bandwidth. (for what it is worth my guess is that PhilipK is a.k.a. Alon Wolf - i don't really care one way or another it just seems like his posts are similar to other entries some other sites).
i tend to agree with most people who state the bass on this speaker is not the most authoritative when compared to its peers, yet i still bought the speaker. i think what is does well, it does better than other speaker. Now does that mean it has no bass, absolutely not. its bass is beautiful and there are certain recordings where this speaker is by far the most amazing speaker i have ever heard. there are other recordings where that is not true. i know Bruce will quote this and speak to his need for diversity across genres and i respect that, but for me the Q5's work most of the time. And to be frank, i don't think there is any speaker that is the best at playing all genres straight across the board, if there were we would all own it, therefore, we must weigh the pluses and minuses and make a decision that works for us as individuals.
i am sharing this post to give an opinion, i don't want to come across as defending the Q5 and am happy if people prefer other speakers over it. That is what i like best about this forum is most people love the hobby and want to share information as opposed to trying to convince everyone to buy what they own (like some other sites we have all belonged too).
therefore, my opinion is that people seem to be struggling with the Q5 because it is getting very high praises while admittedly being inferior in a category. I think JV puts forward some good descriptions on the Q5. i know JV gets received with mixed reviews on this site and he hasn't done himself any favors by touting the 11th best speaker in the world just this year ;-) but he has a good ear and has captured the essence of this speaker, namely its uncanny transparency.
I cannot comment on how well this speaker could sound with subwoofers. i completely agree with Frantz' position on bass and its ability to enhance the whole SF. i am hoping to experiment in this direction (my issue is living on the top floor of a building in NYC - i.e. neighbor control) but who knows maybe the combination gives the Q5 the diversity people are complaining about.
Frantz, i agree with you on the Rockport Aquila. That was my second choice, I think it is an amazing speaker. i made my choice based on some of the positive qualities i like with the Magico but would have been happy with the positive qualities of the Rockport. i spent a lot of time comparing those Rockports to the M5's at Goodwins.
i tend to agree with most people who state the bass on this speaker is not the most authoritative when compared to its peers, yet i still bought the speaker. i think what is does well, it does better than other speaker. Now does that mean it has no bass, absolutely not. its bass is beautiful and there are certain recordings where this speaker is by far the most amazing speaker i have ever heard. there are other recordings where that is not true. i know Bruce will quote this and speak to his need for diversity across genres and i respect that, but for me the Q5's work most of the time. And to be frank, i don't think there is any speaker that is the best at playing all genres straight across the board, if there were we would all own it, therefore, we must weigh the pluses and minuses and make a decision that works for us as individuals.
i am sharing this post to give an opinion, i don't want to come across as defending the Q5 and am happy if people prefer other speakers over it. That is what i like best about this forum is most people love the hobby and want to share information as opposed to trying to convince everyone to buy what they own (like some other sites we have all belonged too).
therefore, my opinion is that people seem to be struggling with the Q5 because it is getting very high praises while admittedly being inferior in a category. I think JV puts forward some good descriptions on the Q5. i know JV gets received with mixed reviews on this site and he hasn't done himself any favors by touting the 11th best speaker in the world just this year ;-) but he has a good ear and has captured the essence of this speaker, namely its uncanny transparency.
I cannot comment on how well this speaker could sound with subwoofers. i completely agree with Frantz' position on bass and its ability to enhance the whole SF. i am hoping to experiment in this direction (my issue is living on the top floor of a building in NYC - i.e. neighbor control) but who knows maybe the combination gives the Q5 the diversity people are complaining about.
Frantz, i agree with you on the Rockport Aquila. That was my second choice, I think it is an amazing speaker. i made my choice based on some of the positive qualities i like with the Magico but would have been happy with the positive qualities of the Rockport. i spent a lot of time comparing those Rockports to the M5's at Goodwins.
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