Q Acoustics M20 HD – A Year Later: Still the Best Bookshelf Speakers?

I’ve owned the Q Acoustics M20 HD Active Bluetooth Speakers for over a year now, and I wanted to share my thoughts on these premium bookshelf speakers under £400. These are my first pair of active bookshelf speakers. Up until now, I’ve always leaned towards passive speaker setups with a dedicated amplifier, like my Mordaunt Short Mezzo 2s paired with a Marantz PM6005 in the living room.

For my garden office setup, I was looking for something more compact, clutter-free, and with Bluetooth connectivity so I could quickly stream music from my Spotify account via mobile. I also wanted to connect both my laptop and desktop gaming PC, creating a seamless and minimalist workspace. That’s what drew me to the Q Acoustics M20, they seemed to tick all the right boxes in a sleek, all-in-one design.

I listen to a lot of music while working, but I also needed speakers that could hold their own for casual gaming sessions. I had enough desk space to accommodate a pair of speakers, but wanted to minimise cable clutter. At 279mm (H) x 170mm (W) x 296mm (D), the M20s aren’t tiny—but they fit perfectly into my office layout.

To get the most out of speakers like the Q Acoustics M20 HD, it’s worth considering the streaming quality of your music service. I recently explored how Hi-Res Audio streaming compares to Spotify and which services offer the best sound.

Breaking Them In: The Sound Improved Over Time

To be honest, I wasn’t immediately blown away by the sound quality and I might go as far as saying, I was a little disappointed. But like most speakers, the M20s needed a running-in period. After around 50 hours of use, about a month of regular listening, the sound began to open up significantly. The mids are rich and detailed, the bass is tight and controlled, and the highs are crisp without being harsh. Whether you’re listening to jazz, rock, or electronic music, I find the M20s deliver a balanced and immersive audio experience.

Now, I absolutely love how they sound. I remember, one day, they just started sounding sublime. They completely blew me away! For a small 4×3 metre garden office, they provide a full, immersive listening experience without the need for external amplification or additional components. I can see why they’re getting a 5-star rating in so many reviews.

What Is a Speaker’s “Breaking-In” Period?

If you’ve ever heard audiophiles talk about “running in” or “breaking in” speakers, they’re referring to the period of time it takes for the speaker components to loosen up and perform at their best.

When speakers are brand new, certain parts, especially the driver surrounds (the flexible rings around the cones) and spider assemblies (which centre and support the driver), can be slightly stiff. This affects how freely the speaker cone can move, which in turn impacts sound quality, especially in the bass and midrange.

Over time, typically between 20 and 100 hours of playback, these components gradually become more flexible. As a result, the speaker’s sound can open up, becoming smoother, more dynamic, and more detailed.

In the case of the Q Acoustics M20 HD, I personally noticed a significant improvement in clarity and low-end response after a few weeks of regular use. Initially, they sounded a bit tight and flat, but after around a month, they truly began to shine.

It’s not just audiophile folklore, many manufacturers acknowledge this process. While they’ll still sound good out of the box, giving your speakers some time to “settle in” often reveals their true potential.

Connectivity and Versatility

The M20s offer a plethora of connectivity options:

• Bluetooth 5.0 with support for aptX™, aptX™ HD, aptX™ Low Latency, SBC, and AAC codecs.
• USB input supporting up to 24-bit/192kHz for high-resolution audio.
• Optical and RCA inputs for connecting to TVs, turntables, and other devices.
• 3.5mm AUX input for portable devices.
• Subwoofer output for those seeking deeper bass response.

I personally wouldn’t need anything else from these speakers in terms of connectivity, but for some, an extra set of RCA inputs would go a miss.

This versatility makes the M20s suitable for various applications:

• Home Audio Systems: Enhance your living room or bedroom with high-quality sound.
• Desktop Setups: Ideal for computer audio, providing clarity for both work and entertainment.
• TV Audio: A great alternative to soundbars, offering superior stereo separation.
• Gaming: Immerse yourself in games with detailed soundscapes.

Design and Build: Elegant, Flexible, and Well-Crafted

The Q Acoustics M20 HD speakers strike a perfect balance between modern design and functional versatility. Available in three stylish finishes, matte black, matte white, and classic walnut veneer, they’re designed to complement a wide range of interior styles, from minimalist setups to more traditional home décor.

The build quality is excellent. The enclosures feel solid and well-damped, with no rattles or resonances, even at higher volumes. The premium materials and attention to detail give them a reassuring, high-end feel that’s often missing in speakers at this price point.

Despite their powerful performance, the M20s maintain a relatively compact footprint, measuring 279mm (H) x 170mm (W) x 296mm (D), making them ideal for a variety of placement options. Whether you’re setting them up in a home office, studio, bedroom, or living room, their flexibility really shines.

You can:

• Sit them on a desk or shelf for easy nearfield listening
• Mount them on speaker stands for improved isolation and stereo imaging
• Wall-mount them using compatible brackets, ideal for home theater or space-saving setups
• Tuck them into bookshelves or corners with minimal impact on aesthetics

Their tidy design, combined with the built-in amp and wireless functionality, makes for a clean, cable-light setup that’s perfect for modern living.

Technical Specifications

• Drivers: 22mm decoupled tweeter and 125mm mid/bass driver.
• Frequency Response: 55Hz – 22kHz.
• Amplifier Power: 2 x 65W peak; 2 x 32W continuous.
• Dimensions: 279mm (H) x 170mm (W) x 296mm (D).
• Weight: 5.5kg (powered speaker), 5.1kg (passive speaker).

Value for Money

When I first started looking into the M20s, pricing was in the £439 region. I managed to find a pair for £400, but the great news is the M20s are now available for approximately £349 from . Considering their performance and features, they offer excellent value for money in the active speaker market.

What I Love About the Q Acoustics M20 HD Speakers

After a year of use, here are the standout features that make the Q Acoustics M20 HD a top choice in my setup:

• Superb Sound Quality & Power: With 130W of built-in amplification, these speakers deliver detailed, powerful sound that easily fills a small to medium room.
• Versatile Connectivity: Featuring Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD, USB, optical, RCA, and AUX, the M20s connect effortlessly to phones, laptops, TVs, and gaming PCs.
• Flexible Positioning: A simple left/right channel switch lets you place the powered speaker where it suits your setup best.
• EQ Optimisation: An EQ switch fine-tunes the sound based on placement, corner, wall, or free space, for better room-matching performance.
• Remote Control: Easily manage volume and playback with the included remote, no fiddling with rear panel buttons.
• Compact & Clean Setup: Thanks to the active design, there’s no need for an external amp, keeping things tidy and simple.
• Optional Subwoofer Output: If you crave deeper bass, there’s a dedicated output to add a sub, though it’s rarely necessary.
• Great Value: At around £349, you get a premium audio experience without the high-end price tag.

Areas for Improvement

As much as I’ve enjoyed the Q Acoustics M20 HD, they’re not without a few quirks and limitations, some of which may be deal-breakers depending on your setup or priorities.

Lack of Sound Modes

There are no selectable EQ presets or sound modes (e.g., movie, voice, night mode), which some users might expect at this price point, especially for speakers used in a mixed media environment.

Aggressive Auto-Standby 💤

One of the most frustrating aspects is the auto-standby feature. The M20s automatically power down after about 20 minutes of inactivity, and this cannot be disabled. This wouldn’t be so bad, but:

• They don’t remember the last selected input when they wake up (they default to optical).
• You have to manually power them back on using the button on top, awkward if they’re shelf-mounted or out of reach.
• This makes them less suitable for desktop or always-on setups, especially over analogue input.

Fixed Grilles

The speaker grilles are non-removable, which limits both aesthetic preference and the ability to clean or inspect the drivers, something audio enthusiasts may find disappointing.

Bluetooth Pairing Limitations

The M20s do not automatically reconnect to your last-used Bluetooth device, meaning you’ll often have to reselect them manually in your device’s settings.

Final Thoughts: A Year On, Still Impressive with Room to Improve

After over a year of daily use, the Q Acoustics M20 HD Active Bluetooth Speakers continue to impress me with their exceptional sound quality, versatile connectivity, and clean, all-in-one design. Whether I’m streaming music from Spotify, connecting to my gaming PC, or just enjoying background tunes while I work, these speakers deliver reliable performance with clarity, warmth, and surprising power.

While there are a few limitations, such as the aggressive auto-standby mode, non-removable grilles, and awkwardly placed indicator lights, none of these are serious deal-breakers. However, they may be worth considering if you’re planning to use them primarily on a desktop or expect flawless Bluetooth convenience.

At around £349, the M20 HDs offer fantastic value for an active speaker setup, especially for those who want hi-fi sound without the need for a separate amplifier. With just a few minor firmware updates or design tweaks, Q Acoustics could easily take this already great speaker system to the next level.

If you’re looking for versatile, high-performance bookshelf speakers that look as good as they sound and don’t require extra components or clutter, the M20 HDs are still one of the best options available in their price range. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them, especially for home offices, small media rooms, or minimalist hi-fi setups.

And if you’re also after a pair of wireless headphones with powerful bass to complement your setup, check out my full Skullcandy Crusher Wireless review, a deep dive into one of the most fun, bass-heavy headphone experiences you can buy.