Going to return my QA 5040s. What should I get?

[JBJTX81]

So I'm bought the 5040s based on many good reviews out there. As a note these are the most expensive speakers I've ever owned and only the 3rd set of speakers ive ever owned. I'm a novice. But they aren't my cup of tea. I found them very fatiguing and "in your face." When I toe them out to the point they are more enjoyable for me I lose most of the center image. My biggest complaint is vocals though. The seem thin and lifeless. I love the tone or timber not sure the correct wording but other than thin or lite im not sure out to describe the vocals. I'm not not saying they are a bad speakers. They excel at detail and clarity and the left to right imaging is good too. But I need something more laid back that I can listen to for hours without having to walk away. I need something with more heft/weight/life/realism in the vocal performers.

What would you all recommend in the 1.5-2k usd range? Floorstanders perfered but not necessary. I'd don't want to sacrifice too much of that detail but I want something where the upper end is a little more recessed and something that adds weight to vocal performers.

Suggestions?

 

[staticV3]

What would you all recommend in the 1.5-2k usd range? Floorstanders perfered but not necessary.

See here: https://www.spinorama.org/?shape=floorstanders&priceMax=1500&sort=score

Wharfedale Linton/Super Linton also worth a look, those are basically floorstanders:

 

[JBJTX81]

Super Lintons, 888s, Sierra titans, and r500s all sound appealing to me. I really hate the heritage look style of the super lintons though. Being able to get the speaker in white would be a huge plus.

 

[richard12511]

Based on the measurements, I'm not surprised you find the QA 5040s too bright.

 

[Beave]

Measured by Erin, see this thread discussing them: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...0-floorstanding-speaker-review-by-erin.50859/

Also measured by Stereophile: https://www.stereophile.com/content/q-acoustics-5040-loudspeaker-measurements

A very strange design, they get high sensitivity but at the expense of significantly low bass levels from the midbass to the upper bass.
The levels at 750Hz are a good 8-9dB higher than the levels at 150 Hz. That will make them shouty indeed.

They probably sound best right up against the wall behind them (well, maybe about 2 inches away to let the port "breathe.")

If you try that and it doesn't work for you, best to return them and get something else, like those mentioned above.

 

[PB63]

So I'm bought the 5040s based on many good reviews out there. As a note these are the most expensive speakers I've ever owned and only the 3rd set of speakers ive ever owned. I'm a novice. But they aren't my cup of tea. I found them very fatiguing and "in your face." When I toe them out to the point they are more enjoyable for me I lose most of the center image. My biggest complaint is vocals though. The seem thin and lifeless. I love the tone or timber not sure the correct wording but other than thin or lite im not sure out to describe the vocals. I'm not not saying they are a bad speakers. They excel at detail and clarity and the left to right imaging is good too. But I need something more laid back that I can listen to for hours without having to walk away. I need something with more heft/weight/life/realism in the vocal performers.

What would you all recommend in the 1.5-2k usd range? Floorstanders perfered but not necessary. I'd don't want to sacrifice too much of that detail but I want something where the upper end is a little more recessed and something that adds weight to vocal performers.

Suggestions?

Do you stream or have DSP? There are plenty of apps that could "repair" your speakers. As you already shelled out and probably will lose 50%, it's worth to try...

 

[PB63]

Oh sorry, didn't read your return remark... Never mind!

 

[staticV3]

Being able to get the speaker in white would be a huge plus.

Surprisingly doesn't narrow down your options too much.

KEF, Polk, MoFi, Revel, Arendal all come in white.

 

[JBJTX81]

Surprisingly doesn't narrow down your options too much.

KEF, Polk, MoFi, Revel, Arendal all come in white.

I will probably look closely at Polk and MoFi

 

[JBJTX81]

Do you stream or have DSP? There are plenty of apps that could "repair" your speakers. As you already shelled out and probably will lose 50%, it's worth to try...

I'm using the Wiim Ultra. I've done lots of adjustment to the EQ. The vocals on about 50% of the tracks I listen to still sound very thin. It just lacks an element of realism. I love the Speakers for about 50% of my playlist that include hip hop, electronic and rock. But the other 50% that is geared more towards Country Americana Red Dirt live recordings etc. that is more stripped down with more emphasis on the vocal performer than the rest of the band they simply do not appeal to me and I lose interest quickly. They sound great for about half of what I listen to but the half becomes totally unappealing.

 

[staticV3]

I'm using the Wiim Ultra. I've done lots of adjustment to the EQ. The vocals on about 50% of the tracks I listen to still sound very thin.

Please try disabling your current room correction if you have one active, then set the WiiM to Parametric EQ and type the following values into the WiiM Home App manually:


Preamp: -3.0 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 60 Hz Gain +3.00 dB Q 0.25
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 739 Hz Gain -2.99 dB Q 2.98
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1586 Hz Gain -2.76 dB Q 1.39
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 1760 Hz Gain +1.61 dB Q 0.26
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4818 Hz Gain -3.32 dB Q 2.96
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 6818 Hz Gain -2.94 dB Q 2.99
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 9001 Hz Gain -2.56 dB Q 2.72

This should take care of any brightness the 5040 might have.

If it's too bass-heavy, leave out the first filter.

The remaining three PEQ filters can be used to knock down room modes which you can measure using REW, loudspeakers.audio, HouseCurve, or the WiiM Home App itself.

Preferably REW or loudspeakers.audio since they support the Moving Microphone Method (MMM).

 

[JBJTX81]

I will give that a try tonight! Thank you!

 

[raindance]

The Q's need to be right up against the wall to get anywhere close to the right balance in a room. I tried them and found them weird sounding also.

The new KEF Q META series won't be bright and they come in white.

I've seen a couple of deals on Revel F35 floor standers in white...

I'd also suggest the Wharfedale Linton variants noting that the regular one needs to be out from the wall a bit and the Super is designed to be up close to the wall. I don't really like any of their other offerings.

 

[ZolaIII]

Linton's most definitely and regular one's! For what you want you will still need sub's. Sub's aren't easy to menage or integrate but Linton's with single sub crossed @ 80 Hz will deliver with SVS-SB1000 Pro for example.

 

[MarcT]

The Q's need to be right up against the wall to get anywhere close to the right balance in a room. I tried them and found them weird sounding also.

The new KEF Q META series won't be bright and they come in white.

I've seen a couple of deals on Revel F35 floor standers in white...

I'd also suggest the Wharfedale Linton variants noting that the regular one needs to be out from the wall a bit and the Super is designed to be up close to the wall. I don't really like any of their other offerings.

Yes, I was going to recommend the OP a free trial of the KEF Q7 Meta's. They can be had with a trial period from BB and Crutchfield.

 

[JBJTX81]

Linton's most definitely and regular one's! For what you want you will still need sub's. Sub's aren't easy to menage or integrate but Linton's with single sub crossed @ 80 Hz will deliver with SVS-SB1000 Pro for example.

This is the sub I'm using right now with the 5040s

 

[ZolaIII]

This is the sub I'm using right now with the 5040s

Buy another one and go 2.2 with Linton's with high crossovers each sub close to it's belonging main. That's a bit complicated but you massively gain on mid bass (8s" in Linton's). It's a little more work and neads multichannel DSP support (with PC or standalone as MiniDSP) but worth it if you ask me. One day add super tweeters and you have 5 way.
I really don't get QA, first they made bass canon's and now they make shy guys.

 

[JBJTX81]

Of these are there any that would be best closer to the wall? In my space I have about 9"-12" From the back of the speaker to the wall depending on the depth of the speaker.

Love the look and the 1K price tag.

https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Floorstanding-Features-Certified-Adjustable/dp/B09B168RDW/ref=asc_df_B09B168RDW?mcid=4ebaf0016bae367d8b9740fe6f17b859&hvocijid=9440176161018898030-B09B168RDW-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9440176161018898030&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027253&hvtargid=pla-2281435177818&th=1

Looks ok and 2k isn't unreasonable

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-FYWws20uETa/p_991Q11MWH/KEF-Q11-Meta-Satin-White.html?XVINQ=GLX&XVVer=1K46&awcr=715105997263&awdv=c&awnw=g&awug=9027253&awkw=pla-2365610015728&awmt=&awat=pla&gad_source=4&gad_campaignid=18590063256&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlMfABhCWARIsADGXdy9CrD4QaDu1HfmGf-o0mByGnZqJsF_W_oEeSM5Ul6CEH-gV588EUZUaAlkkEALw_wcB

Not a fan of the gold emblems (are they easily removable) 2700 is awful with stands included.

https://www.audioadvice.com/products/wharfedale-super-linton-bookshelf-speakers?variant=41689475285076

Love the look 4650 is hard to stomach

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-eVJbd3ElbvL/p_406SP888WH/MoFi-Electronics-SourcePoint-888-White.html?cc=02&XVINQ=2UA&XVVer=1JDU&awcr=714324824588&awdv=c&awnw=g&awug=9027253&awkw=pla-2366016825111&awmt=&awat=pla&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21481537844&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlMfABhCWARIsADGXdy_tMPgH6E5ypFOkbSG2fi0G20q8IvppRGtAumaJnjncI5bTD7Xj4JkaAs9dEALw_wcB

 

[JBJTX81]

Buy another one and go 2.2 with Linton's with high crossovers each sub close to it's belonging main. That's a bit complicated but you massively gain on mid bass (8s" in Linton's). It's a little more work and neads multichannel DSP support (with PC or standalone as MiniDSP) but worth it if you ask me. One day add super tweeters and you have 5 way.
I really don't get QA, first they made bass canon's and now they make shy guys.

I like the idea of the 2.2 but super tweeters wont do much for me with my poor hearing. My dogs might enjoy it I wont hear anything from them...lol.

 

[ZolaIII]

I like the idea of the 2.2 but super tweeters wont do much for me with my poor hearing. My dogs might enjoy it I wont hear anything from them...lol.

I didn't mean targeting UFOs with super tweeters but more using them to suport and widen coverage of small regular 1" silk dome one's on Linton's. Where the flare begins to narrow at about 5 KHz if I remember correctly. Hope you at least ain't bad with crossovers for 2.2 you do each to it's own main and preferably at 120 Hz. You need to do it semi manual or full manual as devices with Dirac supporting it are both rare and expensive (and so is the license). I am being honest with you.