Short answer: the JBL L52 Classic. It ranks #25 of 34 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $1099.95; the Q Acoustics 5020 ranks #30 and costs $1199, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL L52 Classic offers: Genuine walnut wood veneer cabinet with a retro Quadrex foam grille (black, orange, or dark blue) reviving JBL’s classic L-series look. 5.25” pure pulp cone woofer and 0.75” titanium dome tweeter on a waveguide, front-firing bass… Watch for: Measured compression and distortion behavior from about 1-5 kHz was inconsistent (“wonky”) across output levels, and didn’t clean up even at lower volume; adding a subwoofer high-pass didn’t fix the high-frequency distortion…
What the Q Acoustics 5020 offers: Attractively finished compact standmount with a 5-inch Continuous Curved Cone woofer and carefully engineered cabinet details. Watch for: Erin found the tonal balance distinctly too crisp, forward and treble-heavy: the top end is roughly 3-5dB elevated while the 1-3kHz region is recessed, so vocals change level unnaturally as they move through their range.
Buy the JBL L52 Classic. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Q Acoustics 5020 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Q Acoustics 5020. It ranks near the bottom of the 34 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL L52 Classic | Q Acoustics 5020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099.95 | $1,199.00 |
| Ranked | #25 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #30 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5.25" pure pulp cone woofer, 0.75" titanium dome tweeter with waveguide | 5" (125mm) C3 mid/bass driver, 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| Dimensions | 13-1/16"H x 7-13/16"W x 8-11/16"D | 11.2"H x 7.1"W x 11.5"D |
| Weight | 11 lbs each | 15.4 lbs (15.4 lbs / 7.0kg) each |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87.9dB manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) | 53Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 10-75W RMS | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 103Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.8kHz | 2.5kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 25W - 100W (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | rear-ported |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL L52 Classic: $1,099.95 Amazon
Pros: Genuine walnut wood veneer cabinet with a retro Quadrex foam grille (black, orange, or dark blue) reviving JBL’s classic L-series look. 5.25” pure pulp cone woofer and 0.75” titanium dome tweeter on a waveguide, front-firing bass reflex port, in a compact stand-mount cabinet. A pronounced upper-bass bump around 100 Hz gives kick drums a punchy, textured character.
Cons: Measured compression and distortion behavior from about 1-5 kHz was inconsistent (“wonky”) across output levels, and didn’t clean up even at lower volume; adding a subwoofer high-pass didn’t fix the high-frequency distortion either. Response rolls off quickly above the upper-bass bump, so there’s punch and impact but not real low-end rumble or fundamental weight below about 60 Hz without a subwoofer. Soundstage width was inconsistent track to track, with imaging not staying locked to where instruments should be. Vocals could sound hot and slightly grainy in the 2.5-5 kHz region; pointing the speakers off-axis reduced that sharpness but also killed high-frequency air.
Full JBL L52 Classic review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.8kHz |
| Dimensions | 13-1/16"H x 7-13/16"W x 8-11/16"D |
| Drivers | 5.25" pure pulp cone woofer, 0.75" titanium dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 10-75W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 11 lbs each |
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Q Acoustics 5020: $1,199.00 Amazon
Pros: Attractively finished compact standmount with a 5-inch Continuous Curved Cone woofer and carefully engineered cabinet details. Erin found distortion well controlled at normal levels: below 1% down to about 50Hz at 86dB/1m. Its 87dB measured sensitivity is unremarkable rather than hard to drive, and it maintains acceptable output for typical 80-85dB listening. The rear port can be plugged for placement flexibility.
Cons: Erin found the tonal balance distinctly too crisp, forward and treble-heavy: the top end is roughly 3-5dB elevated while the 1-3kHz region is recessed, so vocals change level unnaturally as they move through their range. The shallow woofer crossover and steeper tweeter slope contribute to the off-axis discontinuity, while the port has a strong 1kHz resonance. Bass is limited: Erin measured F3 103Hz and F10 48Hz; at 96dB distortion reaches about 3% by 100Hz, and he bottomed the woofer when pushed hard. He preferred the less-expensive 3020i’s linearity and did not recommend the 5020 for neutral listening without EQ.
Full Q Acoustics 5020 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 103Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.5kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 7.1"W x 11.5"D |
| Drivers | 5" (125mm) C3 mid/bass driver, 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | 25W - 100W (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Erin's Audio Corner; 87.9dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (15.4 lbs / 7.0kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported |
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