Short answer: the Audio First Fidelia. It ranks #1 of 179 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.8/5); the Q Acoustics 5020 ranks #157 (rated 2.2/5).
What the Q Acoustics 5020 does well: An attractively finished standmount with low distortion at normal levels and a rear port that can be plugged for placement flexibility. The tradeoff: 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 Audio First Fidelia is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. An excellent medium bookshelf speaker, a compact kit with remarkably accurate sound and good bass for its size at a great value. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.45 against 3.63 for the Q Acoustics 5020. Its bass reaches about 53Hz before falling 3dB, against 103Hz for the Q Acoustics 5020. Watch for: Kit assembly required; lower sensitivity (~83-85 dB vs. typical 85 dB average) demands adequate amplifier power.
Buy the Audio First Fidelia. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Q Acoustics 5020.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
An attractively finished standmount with low distortion at normal levels and a rear port that can be plugged for placement flexibility.
An excellent medium bookshelf speaker, a compact kit with remarkably accurate sound and good bass for its size at a great value.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Q Acoustics 5020 | Audio First Fidelia | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199.00 per pair | £950 per pair for the flatpack kit (assembly required) |
| Ranked | #157 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #1 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5” (125mm) C3 mid/bass driver, 1” (25mm) tweeter | 5” ceramic-aluminum cone woofer, 1” ceramic-aluminum tweeter |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.5kHz (manufacturer specified) | 1560Hz |
| Dimensions | 11.2”H x 7.1”W x 11.5”D | 11.8”H x 7.1”W x 11.7”D (300 x 180 x 297.6 mm) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87.9dB manufacturer specified) | 84dB |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 103Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Recommended Power | 25W - 100W (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.63 | 6.45 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.55 | 8.46 |
| DIY Kit | No | Yes |
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