The New Q Acoustics Concept 40 Review 2022

The Concept 40 is a stand-alone speaker. It’s similar to idea 20, but it’s bigger and has some unique characteristics including ‘gelcoreTM construction,’ which has a number of well-known benefits, according to Alex Munro, Q Acoustics’ Brand Director, who represented Q Acoustics at the Bristol event.

Positives

• Louder, more bassy in comparison to Concept 20.

Negatives

• Very expensive, your average worker may not be able to afford this piece of art.

Editor Rating

Review

Gelcore Construction’TM means the Concept 40 benefits from what can best be described as a ‘cabinet within a cabinet’, with a special resonance-cancelling compound adhering between the inner and outer shells. This cabinet is both rigid and exhibits extremely low resonance. The latter is achieved because the resonance-cancelling compound absorbs the kinetic energy (movement) generated within the inner cabinet by the drive units, and disperses this energy by converting it into heat.

When compared to a good conventional cabinet, radiated power (colouration) throughout the critical mid-band (voice frequencies) reduces by an average of more than -6dB. In the high and low frequencies the effect is even greater, with improvements in excess of -10dB.

Because concept 40 is larger, it is also heavier, weighing 5.5 kilogrammes more than concept 20. It can handle up to 150 W of power and has a lower frequency response of 64 to 53 Hz than the previous generation. Because it’s on floor stands, the added bass will help shake things up on the dance floor. You shouldn’t be too fixated on sensitivity, but the Q Acoustics idea 40 has a maximum sensitivity of 90 dB, which is a few decibels more than the concept 20. The idea 20 withstands are half the price of the concept 40, but they aren’t quite as good.

As quoted from Alex Munro

Make no mistake, the new Concept 40 is special. It delivers a sonic performance which until now, has only been enjoyed by those privileged enthusiasts who could afford wonderful, but very expensive, ‘high end’ loudspeakers.

You’d expect a five-year warranty from such high-end speakers, and that’s exactly what you get. Q Acoustics has once again produced a speaker that appears to be superb.

Specification

•  Enclosure type: 2-way reflex with double woofer
•  Bass Unit: 2 x 125mm
•  Treble Unit: 25mm
•  Frequency Response: 53Hz – 22kHz
•  Nominal Impedance: 6ohm
•  Minimum Impedance: 4ohm
•  Sensitivity: 90dB
•  Recommended Power: 25 – 150w
•  Crossover Frequency: 2.3kHz
•  Dimensions H/D/W mm: 972 x 288 x 170
•  Weight: 18.5kg
•  Sold in: Pairs
•  Finishes available: Lacquered Black Gloss / Lacquered White Gloss
•  Warranty: 5 Years