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British brand Q Acoustics has announced its first foray into the active loudspeaker arena. Its new Q Active range will kick off in November with the standmount Q Active 200, followed by the floorstanding Q Active 400 in January.

Billed as an 'uncompromised, versatile, high-resolution system,' the Q Active 200 is a stereo speaker pair supplied with a compact Control Hub. This connects to your home network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and acts as a hub for wireless sources including Bluetooth (v4.2), Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect and Roon.

It also has physical inputs – HDMI ARC, optical digital audio and stereo phono – plus a subwoofer output. The analogue input can be switched between use for a line-level source, or the Hub's onboard MM phono stage for a turntable connection. UPnP support allows for music streaming from a PC or NAS device.

The Control Hub, which ships with a remote control, connects wirelessly to the speakers. Incoming audio (to a maximum resolution of 32-bit/192kHz) is converted to 24-bit/96kHz. The speakers can also operate as a UPnP media player capable of streaming your digital audio library from a computer or NAS drive.

'The wireless design means the Control Hub can be placed out of sight if desired: behind a TV, in a cupboard or on a rack,' says Q Acoustics.

The Control Hub will also offer Chromecast built-in at launch (supporting multiroom systems and simplified app casting), with an Amazon Alexa version due in January. Voice control options are Google Assitant, Amazon Alexa and Apple Siri.

The speakers feature dual offset 2.25in BMR (Balance Mode Radiator) drivers and a 4.5in rear-mounted woofer. Total claimed onboard power is 280W, via six discrete Class D amplifiers.

Q Acoustics says the speakers deliver a 'widescreen sound' with a 'huge sweet spot... No matter where you’re sitting in the room, you’ll hear the same rich, detailed and expressive sound.' A three-way switch optimises low-frequency performance for close-to-wall, in-corner or free-space positioning.

The Q Active 200s are available in matte-black or matte-white finishes, and can be partnered with optional stands that borrow the 'War of the Worlds'-esque design ethos of Q Acoustic's previous Concept 300 premium models.

Pricing for the Q Active 200 speakers with Google Cast is £1,500. Pricing for the Q Active 400 tower models (pictured below), which add a second bass driver, is TBC.

Says Q Acoustics of its new toys: 'The Q Active range represents the ultimate combination of convenience, style and audiophile-quality sound for exceptional value for money.