Option to upgrade from M5 to Q5

[cmarin]

Have an opportunity to trade my trusted M5s for a set of Q5s. Would like help and advice from AA colleagues on the swap and issues to consider. If I do make the swap, I'll be keeping my current Soulution 711/725 pre/power amplification combo. The Soulution combo has more than enough power to drive my current M5s with headroom to spare. Thanks in advance for your help.

[cmarin]

Correction and apologies. Thread title should read: "Option to upgrade from M5 to Q5"

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by cmarin

Correction and apologies. Thread title should read: "Option to upgrade from M5 to Q5"

[asiufy]

That'll depend on the price, I guess.
Have in mind the Q5 is most likely the first Q-series speaker to get an upgrade, so you should price this one accordingly...
If the price is right, I say go for it, as you have the amps to drive them!

alexandre

[cmarin]

You're right Alexandre: The Q5 is the likeliest Q speaker to be upgraded next; and the choice will come down to getting the right price for older technology.

I bought my M5s as used demos from the same dealer who's looking to now trade his Q5 demos. Yes the Q5s are now older technology, but they are newer than my M5s which have provided a lot of musical enjoyment over the years. The price differential with trade could be attractive especially compared to the significant cash needed for the new M or even a used flagship Q7.

I have not had a chance to listen to the Q5s yet, but will get to hear them soon. I'd be very interested in hearing the opinions of other AA members who have had a chance to hear the Q5 or even better both the M5 and the Q5.

[jrsystems]

I've heard them separately, in very different situations. I really liked the M5s driven by Soulutions. I heard the Q5s with McIntosh amps and I was unimpressed.

Give the Q5s a good listen. They are more clinical and analytical than the M5s. I found the M5s to be warmer and more pleasing. Depends on your tastes.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the two.

[cmarin]

Originally Posted by jrsystems

I've heard them separately, in very different situations. I really liked the M5s driven by Soulutions. I heard the Q5s with McIntosh amps and I was unimpressed. Give the Q5s a good listen. They are more clinical and analytical than the M5s. I found the M5s to be warmer and more pleasing. Depends on your tastes. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the two.

Agree the M5s are definitely no slouches. I've found that their performance ceiling has a lot of headroom even for their older technology. The before and after incremental performance of the M5s with the right amplification, cabling, room Rx and power conditioning in my experience has been almost night and day.

Yet the reduced resonance of the Qs with their all aluminum bodies is impressive and they represent a significant technological step forward. But as you say, that doesn't necessarily translate into a better sound in my room and for my musical tastes.

The Q5 was the first Q generation speaker and under the circumstances, it presents for me now an affordable dip into the higher end of the Q pool.

There is no substitute for direct experience and I would love to listen to the Q5s in my room and equipment. But it's very difficult to do that with these kind of speakers. The logistics alone of dealing with these heavy behemoths are daunting. Hope to get to the next best option and hear them in a good room with good equipment soon. And to get the knowledgeable advice from the folks here on AA.

Thanks for the input.