What amplifier does the Q Acoustics Concept 500 need?

Pick a speaker and tell us how loud you listen and how big the room is. We work out the power it actually needs, check which amplifiers can safely drive its impedance, and rank 297 amplifiers against it.

Your system

Four questions. Nothing is hidden on price.

Passive speakers only - a powered speaker already has its amplifier inside.
Changes the order only. Nothing is hidden for costing too little or too much.
Q Acoustics Concept 500
Q Acoustics Concept 500
Floor-standing
90 dB · 6 ohm
dips to 3.7 ohm
$4,599 a pair
Full specs →
Power needed
10–160 W
per channel, into 6 ohms

To hit 95 dB peaks at 3 m from a pair of Q Acoustics Concept 500, you need at least 10 W a channel. Anything from about 20 W to 160 W a channel is comfortable; past that, more watts stop buying you anything.

Show the working
  • 95 dB target at the seat
  • +4.8 dB for 3.0 m of distance
  • -3 dB for a stereo pair
  • -86.8 dB effective sensitivity
  • 1.2 dB taken off to convert the 6 ohm 2.83V rating to dB per watt
  • 2 dB allowed for optimistic published sensitivity
  • Published sensitivity 90 dB, used as 86.8 dB per watt.

Advance Paris A10 Classic with the Q Acoustics Concept 500

Good match
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (130 W to 190 W).
Full Advance Paris A10 Classic specs · Clear this amp
 
$90 $25,000

192 integrated amplifiers suit the Q Acoustics Concept 500

Also show the 57 we do not recommend
1
Denon PMA-3000NE
Denon PMA-3000NE
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $3,799
Excellent match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 160 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
2
Denon AE PMA-A110
Denon AE PMA-A110
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $3,999
Excellent match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 160 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
3
Technics SU-G700M2 Grand Class
Technics SU-G700M2 Grand Class
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 70 W into 8 ohms · $2,700
Excellent match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (70 W to 140 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
4
Marantz Model 30
Marantz Model 30
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 100 W into 8 ohms · $2,999
Excellent match
12 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (100 W to 200 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
5
Cambridge Audio Evo 75
Cambridge Audio Evo 75
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 75 W into 8 ohms · $2,499
Excellent match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (75 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
6
Rotel S14
Rotel S14
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $2,499
Excellent match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
7
Roksan Attessa Streaming Amplifier
Roksan Attessa Streaming Amplifier
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $3,199
Good match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (80 W to 130 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
8
Rega Elicit MK5
Rega Elicit MK5
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 105 W into 8 ohms · $3,345
Good match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (105 W to 160 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
9
Advance Paris A8 APEX
Advance Paris A8 APEX
Integrated Amplifier · Class AB-T · 75 W into 8 ohms · $2,999
Good match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (75 W to 110 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
10
Yamaha A-S2200
Yamaha A-S2200
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 90 W into 8 ohms · $4,500
Good match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (90 W to 150 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
11
Yamaha A-S1200
Yamaha A-S1200
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 90 W into 8 ohms · $3,000
Good match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (90 W to 150 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
12
Denon PMA-1600NE
Denon PMA-1600NE
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 70 W into 8 ohms · $2,099
Excellent match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (70 W to 140 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
13
Denon PMA-1700NE
Denon PMA-1700NE
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 70 W into 8 ohms · $2,099
Excellent match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (70 W to 140 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
14
Audiolab 9000A
Audiolab 9000A
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $2,999
Good match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (100 W to 160 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
15
MOON 250i v2
MOON 250i v2
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 50 W into 8 ohms · $2,400
Excellent match
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (50 W to 100 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
16
Advance Paris A10 APEX
Advance Paris A10 APEX
Integrated Amplifier · Class AB-T · 120 W into 8 ohms · $3,499
Good match
12 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (120 W to 185 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
17
Arcam SA35
Arcam SA35
Integrated Amplifier · Class G · 120 W into 8 ohms · $3,300
Good match
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (120 W to 200 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
18
McIntosh MA252
McIntosh MA252
Integrated Amplifier · Class HD · 100 W into 8 ohms · $5,000
Good match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (100 W to 160 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
19
Arcam SA30
Arcam SA30
Integrated Amplifier · Class G · 130 W into 8 ohms · $3,300
Good match
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (130 W to 200 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
20
Advance Paris A10 Classic
Advance Paris A10 Classic
Integrated Amplifier · Class AB-T · 130 W into 8 ohms · $2,999
Good match
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (130 W to 190 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.

Showing the best 20 of 192. Narrow it with the price range below, or a different budget split.

48 power amplifiers that would also drive them

Listed separately because they are not a complete system: a power amplifier has no volume control and no inputs to speak of, so you need a preamplifier or a streaming preamp as well. Worth it if you already own one, or if you want to buy the two halves separately.

1
MOON 330A
MOON 330A
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 125 W into 8 ohms · $4,400
Excellent match
13 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (125 W to 250 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
2
Parasound Halo A23+
Parasound Halo A23+
Power Amplifier · Class A/AB · 160 W into 8 ohms · $2,500
Good match
13 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (160 W to 240 W).
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
3
PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Power
PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Power
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $7,195
Good match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (100 W to 150 W).
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
4
Naim NAP 250
Naim NAP 250
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $8,999
Excellent match
12 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (100 W to 190 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
5
Parasound JCM250
Parasound JCM250
Power Amplifier · Class A/AB · 250 W into 8 ohms · $4,250
Workable with care
15 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it. Well above the 200 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 1 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (250 W to 450 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
6
TEAC AP-701B
TEAC AP-701B
Power Amplifier · Class D · 170 W into 8 ohms · $4,000
Good match
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 6 ohm speaker dipping to 3.7 that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
7
Rogue Audio Stereo 100
Rogue Audio Stereo 100
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $4,195
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
No 6 ohm tap - the nearest is 8 ohm (taps: 4 / 8 ohm). It will play, but the match is a compromise and the amplifier will not make its rated power.
A valve amplifier makes the same power on each tap, so what matters is sensitivity - and at 86.8 dB this speaker is efficient enough that 100 W is comfortable.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
8
NAD C298
NAD C298
Power Amplifier · Class D · 185 W into 8 ohms · $3,099
Good match
13 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker that dips to 3.7.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 6 ohm speaker dipping to 3.7 that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
Were these amplifier recommendations useful?
It helps us tune the matching, and we read every comment.

Sensitivity and impedance figures are the manufacturer's own. We read sensitivity as dB at 2.83 V/1 m and take 2 dB off it, because published figures run high. Treat the result as a well-founded starting point, not a measurement. Full Q Acoustics Concept 500 specs.

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