Q Acoustics' M40 powered micro tower wireless audio system follows the popular M20 HD bookshelf wireless speaker system launched in 2021. The British audio specialist states that the M40 is “the most convenient and cost-effective way to fill your home with full size, powerful and immersive sound without filling your home with big, imposing loudspeakers.”

Standing just 71cm tall, these 2-way petite pillars are compact and discreet and feature a 22mm tweeter sitting above a pair of 125mm (5-inch) mid/bass units in a reflex-ported cabinet, all powered by a 100W (peak) Class D amplifier on each side with a crossover at 2.5kHz. According to Q Acoustics, this is good for a 38Hz-22kHz frequency response (-6dB).

The manufacturer says the M40's decoupled tweeter promises a “crisp, pure high-frequency performance” and is partnered with Helmholtz Pressure Equaliser (HPE) technology to reduce unwanted standing waves inside the cabinet.

Meanwhile, taking care of the midband and bass frequencies is the C3 Continuous Curved Cone. This was first seen and heard in the 5000 Series of loudspeakers, of which the Applause Award-winning 5040 impressed us with its “precise tonal accuracy and fine spatial definition within the soundstage”. C3 (pronounced 'C cubed') combines the outstanding bass performance of a traditional straight cone with the high/midrange control and fidelity of a flared cone.

The cabinet features Q Acoustics' proprietary Point to Point (P2P) internal bracing to keep the speaker as rigid and inert as possible. As well as the drivers, these house two phono inputs and a 3.5mm jack catering for analogue sources alongside an optical and USB Type B for digital inputs up to 24bit/192kHz. Additionally, there is Bluetooth 5.0 onboard supporting aptX HD and aptX Low Latency technology, offering wireless connectivity up to 24bit/48kHz. You can also use the Sub Out port and attach a subwoofer.

Handily, you can designate the powered speaker as either the left or right channel. This removes the possible awkwardness of getting it near a power outlet. Also, an EQ switch lets the system know if each speaker is positioned in a corner, against a wall, or in free space so its digital sound processing can work its magic and optimise the audio performance.

The UK brand also tells us that it has paid particular attention to the M40's grille design, adding that it found fixing the grille to the baffle, rather than it being removable, allows for added strength derived from the baffle and significantly reduces the grille's structure, particularly around the drivers. The upshot is that this open grille design minimises disruption of sound dispersion patterns while reducing reflections for a smoother sonic performance.

Finally, the 710 x 250 x 296 mm (HxWxD) M40 sports a high-quality finish offered in Black, White and Walnut.

The Q Acoustics M40 is available now, priced at £749/ €899 (RRP).

Visit Q Acoustics for more information