Want to inject some energy into your home cinema sound? Look no further
View online review whf.cm/QA5040_5_1
Q Acoustics has already earned itself a What Hi-Fi? Award in 2023 with its 5040 floorstanding speakers. Bundle those speakers with a set of bookshelf surrounds, a subwoofer and a centre channel, and we have ourselves a promising 5.1 home cinema package.
This Q Acoustics 5040 5.1 Home Cinema speaker package is priced at £2475 – but what exactly does that include? Well, we can instantly recognise a familiar face in the mix, as the front speakers are the aforementioned 5040 floorstanders. For reference, a pair of 5040s will set you back £999 on their own.
You also get a pair of 5010 passive standmounters, the 5090 passive centre channel and the QB12 active subwoofer. Bear in mind that you will probably need stands for the 5010 surround speakers, though Q Acoustics also produces a dedicated wall mount. Its price puts it in the same ballpark as its Group Test rivals, the Award-winning Wharfedale Evo 4.4 5.1 Home Cinema Pack (£2475, p36) and the excellent Bowers & Wilkins 606 & 607 S3 surround speaker package (£2496, p32).
The first hint that these speakers are more playful and energetic than others we have tested is found in the design. The 5040 features a distinctive yet cohesive design for all speakers. While the Wharfedale Evos look more stoic and traditional with their black wood veneer finish, and the B&W go for a functional, angular design, the Q Acoustics carve out a distinct personality for themselves.
They are available in black or white (the passive speakers can also be bought in Oak or Rosewood but the subwoofer cannot). On the white set, black front panels around each speaker unit add a pleasing pop of contrast while the black finish is also a looker, especially if you fancy a sleeker and more understated appearance. The cabinets’ rounded corners create a modern aesthetic that will complement most living rooms and home cinema set-ups. The package is also usefully compact compared with the hefty Wharfedale speakers, too.
The 5040 floorstanders measure 97 x 29 x 36cm (hwd) including the detachable spikes. They also weigh just 18kg, which is a fair bit lighter than the Wharfedale Evo 4.4 at 26kg. Beneath the surface, the 5040 sports a tweeter sandwiched between two 125mm mid/bass drivers in a vertical arrangement, something of a tradition now for Q Acoustics speakers. The design of
