The Q Acoustics 5050 floorstanding speakers are now available at their lowest-ever price of £1,119, marking a £180 drop from the original £1,299 retail price and undercutting even last year’s Black Friday low of £1,169. These rear-ported towers won two What Hi-Fi? Awards in 2024, and at this price point, they represent exceptional value for anyone serious about audio quality without the premium flagship cost.
Key Takeaways
- Q Acoustics 5050 floorstanding speakers now £1,119—lowest price ever recorded
- Free QED XT25 Speaker Cable (3M) included at participating retailers, worth £79
- Available at Richer Sounds, Sevenoaks Sound & Vision, and Peter Tyson
- Won two What Hi-Fi? Awards in 2024 for design and performance
- Requires careful amplifier pairing due to slightly forward tonal balance
Why the Q Acoustics 5050 Matters Right Now
Award-winning floorstanding speakers rarely drop below £1,200, let alone to £1,119. This price point matters because it demolishes the false choice between budget speakers and serious hi-fi. The 5050s deliver controlled, articulate bass and impressive scale—qualities that typically demand twice the investment. At this discount, you’re not buying last season’s model or a stripped-down variant; you’re getting the full-spec tower that reviewers praised for its slick build and expressive dynamics.
The bundled QED XT25 Speaker Cable sweetens the deal further. Decent speaker cables alone cost £50 to £100, so including a 3-meter pair (valued at £79) effectively adds another layer of discount without inflating the headline price.
Q Acoustics 5050 Floorstanding Speakers: Sound and Setup
These towers excel at clarity and insight without fatigue, though they do lean slightly forward tonally. That means pairing them with warm, smooth amplification—not bright or aggressive gear—is essential. The Arcam A5, Cambridge Audio CXA81, or similar integrated amps work well here. If you’re sourcing music via streaming, the Cambridge Audio CXN100 pairs nicely; for vinyl, the Rega Planar 3 is a natural match.
Placement is forgiving for rear-ported designs. Keep them at least 20cm from the rear wall, angle them slightly inward toward your listening area, and allow roughly 50 hours of break-in before critical listening. The drivers need time to settle, and rushing this step means you’ll miss the full voice of the speakers.
Compared to their smaller sibling, the Q Acoustics 5040, the 5050s add authority and composure without losing the clarity that made the junior model a favorite. They do everything the 5040 accomplishes but with a deeper, more controlled bass foundation and a calmer overall presentation—exactly what you want when scaling up a design.
Where to Buy and What to Expect
The discount is live now at Richer Sounds, Sevenoaks Sound & Vision, and Peter Tyson. All three retailers are bundling the free speaker cable, so you’re not sacrificing anything by choosing one over another—compare delivery times and local availability instead. At £1,119, you’re saving £180 from the original list price, and that’s the genuine lowest recorded price for this model.
Stock at this price likely won’t sit around indefinitely. Award-winning speakers at sub-£1,120 pricing don’t last long in the market, especially when a free cable is included. If you’ve been waiting for the 5050s to drop, this is the moment.
Is the Q Acoustics 5050 the Right Speaker for You?
The 5050s suit listeners who value clarity, controlled bass, and dynamic expression over warmth or bass-heavy coloration. They’re not the best match for aggressive, bright amplifiers or rooms where bass already dominates. If you have the space for floorstanding towers, own an integrated amp with decent warmth, and want to avoid the hype tax on exotic brands, these speakers punch well above their price.
What amplifier should I pair with the Q Acoustics 5050?
Avoid bright or aggressive amplifiers. The Arcam A5, Arcam A5+, and Cambridge Audio CXA81 are excellent matches because they add smoothness and control without coloration. The slightly forward tonal balance of the speakers needs an amp that leans warm or neutral, not one that emphasizes treble.
Do the Q Acoustics 5050 need a break-in period?
Yes. Allow approximately 50 hours of listening before making critical judgments about sound quality. The drivers need this time to settle and reach their full voice. Skipping break-in means you’ll hear a thinner, less cohesive presentation than the speakers are capable of delivering.
How do the 5050s compare to the Q Acoustics 5040?
The 5050s are the larger, more authoritative version. They retain the clarity and insight of the smaller 5040 but add deeper bass control and a calmer overall character. If you have the space and budget, the 5050s offer noticeably more scale and composure, particularly in larger rooms.
At £1,119 with a free £79 speaker cable, the Q Acoustics 5050 floorstanding speakers represent the kind of value proposition that doesn’t come around often. Award-winning sound, solid build, and genuine savings make this one of the better speaker deals available right now. The only question left is whether you’re ready to commit to floorstanding speakers in your space.
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: What Hi-Fi?
