In this review, we will be comparing Q Acoustics 5020 and EVO4.1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Q Acoustics and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Q Acoustics 5020 and Wharfedale EVO4.1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Q Acoustics 5020 and Wharfedale EVO4.1 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Q Acoustics 5020 and Wharfedale EVO4.1 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Q Acoustics 5020 and EVO4.1 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Q Acoustics 5020 |
Wharfedale EVO4.1 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.18x2.36-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
Q Acoustics 5020 features a 1" Soft-dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Continuous Curved Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500 Hz. On the other hand, the EVO4.1 features a 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 1 x 5" Kevlar Woofer .
Frequency Response
Q Acoustics 5020 has a frequency range of 53-30k Hz whereas EVO4.1 has a frequency range of 64-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 53Hz, the Q Acoustics 5020 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the EVO4.1's min frequency of 64Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Q Acoustics 5020 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the EVO4.1 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Q Acoustics 5020 sensitivity is rated at 87.9 dB and the EVO4.1's is rated at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Q Acoustics 5020 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale EVO4.1, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Q Acoustics 5020 and EVO4.1 has the same power range of 25-100 watts.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
EVO4.1 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Q Acoustics 5020 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Q Acoustics 5020 has a rear firing port whereas EVO4.1 has a bottom firing ports. Wharfedale EVO4.1's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Q Acoustics 5020 with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Q Acoustics 5020's and Wharfedale EVO4.1's external dimensions. Q Acoustics 5020 has external dimensions of 286.0 x 181.0 x 293.0mm ( 11-1/4nch x 7-1/8inch x 11-1/2inch ) whereas Wharfedale EVO4.1 has external dimensions of 335.0 x 210.0 x 295.0mm ( 13.1 x 8.2 x 11.6inch) .
Wharfedale EVO4.1 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 29mm wider, 49mm taller and 2mm deeper than Q Acoustics 5020.
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 Q Acoustics 5020 is approximately 530.3cm2 / 82.2inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale EVO4.1 is approximately 619.5cm2 / 96.0inch2. The Q Acoustics 5020 requires 14% less surface area than the EVO4.1 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 Q Acoustics 5020 weighs 7.00kg / 15.4lbs and the Wharfedale EVO4.1 weighs 7.80kg / 17.2lbs. This makes the EVO4.1 11% heavier than the Q Acoustics 5020.
Here is a comparison of how Q Acoustics 5020 and EVO4.1's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Q Acoustics 5020?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Q Acoustics 5020:
2x 5020 loudspeaker 1x Owners manual 2x Foam bung
What's in the Box of Wharfedale EVO4.1?
Here are the items that come with the EVO4.1:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 4 Jumper-bars (pre-installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Pair of white cloth gloves User Manual
Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Low Frequency Response |
53 Hz
vs
64 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
286mm
vs
335mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
530cm2 (181x293mm)
vs
619cm2 (210x295mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Minimum Impedance |
3.5 ohms
vs
3.3 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Q Acoustics 5020 |
Wharfedale EVO4.1 |
Brand |
Q Acoustics |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-100 watts |
25-100 watts |
Sensitivity |
87.9 dB |
87 dB |
Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
3.3 ohms |
3.5 ohms |
Frequency Response |
53-30k Hz |
64-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
5" |
5" |
Woofer Composition |
Continuous Curved Cone |
Kevlar |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.18x2.36" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-dome |
AMT (Ribbon) |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2500 Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
286.0mm (11.3") |
335.0mm (13.2") |
Width |
181.0mm (7.1") |
210.0mm (8.3") |
Depth |
293.0mm (11.5") |
295.0mm (11.6") |
Weight |
7.00kg (15.4lbs) |
7.80kg (17.2lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Relfex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
Available Colors |
Holme Oak,Satin Black,Satin White,Santos Rosewood |
Walnut,Black,White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 years |
5 Years |