Short answer: the Revel Performa4 M145, if you are buying new. The Revel M105 ranks higher than the Q Acoustics 5020 (#15 vs #146 of 168 bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Revel Performa4 M145, is rated 4.3/5 at $1,999.95 and is still sold new.
The case for the Q Acoustics 5020: Attractively finished compact standmount with a 5-inch Continuous Curved Cone woofer and carefully engineered cabinet details. The catch: 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 Revel M105 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. CEA2034 spinorama shows an essentially flat on-axis response with only a small 5kHz peak, a smooth listening window, and clean waterfall decay. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.76 against 3.63 for the Q Acoustics 5020. Its bass reaches about 63Hz before falling 3dB, against 103Hz for the Q Acoustics 5020. The tradeoff: Low nominal impedance demands a capable amplifier that can handle low-impedance loads.
Buy the Revel Performa4 M145, the replacement for the discontinued Revel M105; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Q Acoustics 5020.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Q Acoustics 5020 | Revel M105 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199.00 per pair | $1,500 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #146 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #15 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5” (125mm) C3 mid/bass driver, 1” (25mm) tweeter | 5.25” aluminum cone woofer, 1” aluminum tweeter with acoustic lens waveguide |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.5kHz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 11.2”H x 7.1”W x 11.5”D | 14”H x 7.9”W x 9.8”D (355.6 x 200.7 x 248.9 mm) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) each |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal, low minimum |
| Sensitivity | 87.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87.9dB manufacturer specified) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 103Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 49.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 44kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | 25W - 100W (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.63 | 5.76 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.55 | 8.18 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Q Acoustics 5020: $1,199.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Q Acoustics 5010 (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, estimated 3.5/5), the Q Acoustics 5040 (smaller floorstanding, rated 4.1/5), the Q Acoustics 5050 (larger floorstanding, estimated 4.3/5) and the Q Acoustics 5090 (center, estimated 3.7/5).
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. Measured bass extension of 103Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87.1dB.
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 Q Acoustics 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) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.63 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.55 |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported |
- Links
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Revel M105: $1,500 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Revel Performa4 M145, ranked higher, estimated 4.3/5. See every Revel Performa generation.
Same family: the Revel M106 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.6/5), the Revel F206 (smaller floorstanding, rated 4.5/5), the Revel F208 (larger floorstanding, rated 4.5/5), the Revel Performa3 C205 (smaller center, rated 4.1/5) and the Revel Performa3 C208 (larger center, rated 4/5).
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows an essentially flat on-axis response with only a small 5kHz peak, a smooth listening window, and clean waterfall decay. Wide horizontal dispersion gives flexibility with toe-in. The reviewer called it reference-quality performance with minor EQ correction applied. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Low nominal impedance demands a capable amplifier that can handle low-impedance loads. Bass distortion runs high in the 80-250Hz range from woofer displacement, and maximum output is limited compared to larger designs. Discontinued.
Full Revel M105 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14”H x 7.9”W x 9.8”D (355.6 x 200.7 x 248.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” aluminum cone woofer, 1” aluminum tweeter with acoustic lens waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 44kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, low minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.76 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.18 |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Revel M105 vs Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G
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