In this review, we will be comparing G One and M20 HD, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Genelec and Q Acoustics. Being Powered speakers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Genelec G One and Q Acoustics M20 HD first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Genelec G One | Q Acoustics M20 HD |
|---|
| Brand | Genelec
Finland · founded 1978 | Q Acoustics
United Kingdom · founded 2006 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 50-watt RMS | 128-watt RMS |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Dome | 0.875" Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 3" Cone | 5" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 74-20k Hz | 55-22k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | — | 24-bit / 192 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | No | Built-in 5.0 |
|---|
| Weight | 1.70kg / 3.7lbs | 5.10kg / 11.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7.7" x 4.8" x 4.5"
195 x 121 x 115 mm | 10-15/16" x 6-11/16" x 12-3/16"
278.0 x 170.0 x 310.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both G One and M20 HD are 2-way speakers.
Genelec G OneQ Acoustics M20 HD
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Genelec G One |
Q Acoustics M20 HD |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
0.875-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 3-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
G One features a 0.75" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 3" Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz. On the other hand, the M20 HD features a 0.875" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woofer.
Frequency Response
G One has a frequency range of 74-20k Hz whereas M20 HD has a frequency range of 55-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the M20 HD can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the G One's min frequency of 74Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both G One and M20 HD have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Genelec G One's and Q Acoustics M20 HD's external dimensions. Genelec G One has external dimensions of 195 x 121 x 115 mm (7.1 x 4.8 x 4.5) whereas Q Acoustics M20 HD has external dimensions of 278.0 x 170.0 x 310.0mm (10-15/16 x 6-11/16 x 12-3/16inch).
Q Acoustics M20 HD is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 49mm wider, 83mm taller and 195mm deeper than Genelec G One.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Q Acoustics M20 HD needs about 279% more floor or shelf area. Q Acoustics M20 HD is 195mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Q Acoustics M20 HD is 83mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Genelec G One is approximately 139.2cm2 / 21.6inch2 and base area of the Q Acoustics M20 HD is approximately 527.0cm2 / 81.7inch2. The G One requires 74% less surface area than the M20 HD which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Genelec G One weighs 1.70kg / 3.7lbs and the Q Acoustics M20 HD weighs 5.10kg / 11.2lbs. This makes the M20 HD 200% heavier than the G One.
Here is a comparison of how G One and M20 HD's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Genelec G One?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of G One:
- Genelec G One 2-Way Powered Bookshelf Speaker (Polar White, Single)
- Iso-Pod Stand
- 5.9-feet Power Cable
What's in the Box of Q Acoustics M20 HD?
Here are the items that come with the M20 HD:
- Powered speaker
- Passive speaker
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- 2 AAA batteries
- 13-feet Speaker wire
- 59-inch Optical digital cable
- 2 Foam port plugs
- Owners Manual
 Height |
195mm
vs
278mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
139cm2
vs
527cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Woofer Size |
5 inches
vs
3 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
74 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
700USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 USB Port |
USB-B
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 3.5mm Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via 3.5mm AUX input |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
 Digital Input |
Optical
vs
No
|
Connect digital inputs directly |
| General |
Genelec G One |
Q Acoustics M20 HD Wireless Music System |
| Brand |
Genelec |
Q Acoustics |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered stereo speakers |
| Frequency Response |
74-20k Hz |
55-22k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
128-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
n/a |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
n/a |
192 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
3" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cone |
|
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
0.875" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
3000Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
195.0mm (7.7") |
278.0mm (10.9") |
| Width |
121.0mm (4.8") |
170.0mm (6.7") |
| Depth |
115.0mm (4.5") |
310.0mm (12.2") |
| Weight |
1.70kg (3.7lbs) |
5.10kg (11.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Aluminum |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
White,Black |
Black, White, Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
RCA |
3.5mm, Stereo RCA |
| USB Port |
No |
USB-B |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
n/a |
mono-RCA |
| Digital Input |
No |
Optical |
| HDMI Input |
No |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
A generation apart: Q Acoustics M20 HD is the newer design, against a 2013 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Q Acoustics M20 HD digs deeper - 55Hz against 74Hz. |
| Built-in power | B | Q Acoustics M20 HD has the bigger amplifier (128W vs 50W RMS). |
| Connections | B | Q Acoustics M20 HD adds Bluetooth, streaming and digital inputs. |
| Size | depends | Genelec G One is easier to place; Q Acoustics M20 HD is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | Q Acoustics M20 HD: a sub output. |
| Price | B | Q Acoustics M20 HD is cheaper - $599 against $700, about 14% less. |
A Genelec G One B Q Acoustics M20 HD
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Q Acoustics M20 HD is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Genelec G One if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 74Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Q Acoustics M20 HD has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Genelec G One is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.