Review – Q Acoustics Active 200 Active speakers – High fidelity sound

Review - Q Acoustics Active 200 Active speakers looks like a work of art which offer High fidelity sound with true wireless connectivity

Review: Q Acoustics Active 200 – There must be a nest. Strange. Suddenly loudspeakers with BMR chassis flooded the market. Do you not know? One should know. The three letters stand for a “balanced mode radiator”. Very few people have that on their radar. But there are connoisseurs. We tap a completely flat membrane with our finger. Strange. How is the energy converted?

Actually quite classically based on the principle of an electrodynamic driver. The panel moves in the shape of a piston. When it comes to the lower frequencies. In contrast, the height of the construction expands into a bending wave converter. So a double, a balancing act, a hybrid. Again: Not many developers dare to work on this construction because you have to go to school again to master the details.

And now a double. Here we are discussing the latest loudspeaker from Q Acoustics, in the coming issue we will celebrate the new Braun series. For some reason, a new generation of developers have devoured these converters. They have to be controlled and mastered with pinpoint accuracy. Otherwise there will be distortions. It can become critical, especially at high levels.

Why they lack accolade: Small, fine is great, but BMRs are rarely used as real room washers. Which could also be a shame. Let’s take a closer look. The latest coup from Q Acoustics is quite simply called Q Active. The compact 200 has just appeared, and the floorstanding loudspeaker 400 will follow soon, next year. Let’s take the X-ray vision. The 200 is a combination of two BMR drivers and an internal bass supplier. It’s kind of bizarre in shape. Or better: idiosyncratic.

Although the front would still have plenty of room, the BMRs are squeezed to a third. There is a slit towards the rear wall. The woofer breathes here, which is quite clear at over eleven centimeters. It starts at 150 Hertz. Amazingly deep. Definitely an exciting concept. Three chassis, but a flawless two-way structure with a switch. Right now we’re itching to look at the price tag. There are 2000 euros – including the hub.

The modern all-round solution

Now it’s getting exciting. Because the Q Active 200 sees itself as a modern media solution including converter and transmitter. The streams are transmitted from the hub to the loudspeakers at 5.8 GHz. Inside the loudspeaker there is a Class D level for each chassis. For our calculation, this means: We save ourselves an output stage, with the hub, a preamp, a converter and a lot more. That could be a wonderfully relaxed overall experience.

Let’s take a closer look: On the back of the speakers, I can / have to use a tiny switch to specify whether this box is on the left or right. Another switch requires me to decide whether the work of art is free or on a side wall. The hub itself can be enthroned wherever it likes.

What immediately makes it appear lovable to us: There is a switch to choose whether we want to operate the cinch port linearly or have a turntable with an MM system connected. The little box can transform both.

Visually we come in or via the TV via HDMI. Of course, the square connector for the Ethernet should not be missing. This is how we integrate the set into our home network; we can command streaming services or exploit the in-house NAS. We’re ready for Roon, plus AirPlay. Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify and Deezer are not foreign languages. This is a really brave move into the modern magic box.

We expect the first sound impression – and are discreetly offended. That sounds kind of – swampy. As if a beautiful, but also dangerous moor landscape had all the important audiophile details sink in. That must be a misunderstanding. It is precisely at this moment that we release adrenaline. We start playing.

In the first setup we put the two speakers on a sideboard. We have clearly specified via the tiny switches in the back that they reside close to the wall. Nevertheless, a big bass blub remained the decisive impression. So everything back to a new starting position, on free stands in the room, clearly removed from the back wall.

These can be any makes, but of course we argue clearly in favor of the originals from Q Acoustics. Filigree, tensioned, precisely fitting with screw connections. That’s how I want to see these speakers, that’s how I want to hear them. 460 euros for the couple should definitely be budgeted for this.

In terms of sound, the sky opens up miraculously, speed comes into play, the bass has a clearly defined contour. What is noticeable, however, is that these fine membranes should not be tormented with ultrasound. The bass in its greatest depth is also withdrawn. But this elegant joy of playing – it already sparkles. The price and the experience are just right.

Q Acoustics Active 200 – Conclusion

The overall structure is like a work of art. Sculptures in the room, plus donors of joy in front of the eardrums. But our measurement results also show the limits. This loudspeaker is not intended to fill an oversized living room with sound. But there will soon be a sisterly floor-standing speaker. We also clearly say: The 200 sounds best on the precisely fitting stands.