Q5 vs RS1.5

[Roe74]

is there a significant improvement of the RS 1.5 over the Q5’s? I have Q5’s that I’ve had since new. Would it be worthwhile to move to the 1.5’s? I wish I could do a side by side but can’t. Thanks.

 

[seifreit]

Good question. I am curious about how they stack up against some of the comparable models that followed. I just picked up a pair of Q5's this past weekend. I now understand why everyone raves about the Watkins woofers. I have only been able to listen to them for a couple days but I like them a little better than my RS 5b's that were previously in the bedroom system.

 

[tubed]

Good question. I am curious about how they stack up against some of the comparable models that followed. I just picked up a pair of Q5's this past weekend. I now understand why everyone raves about the Watkins woofers. I have only been able to listen to them for a couple days but I like them a little better than my RS 5b's that were previously in the bedroom system.

a sideways move

 

[goodolpg]

A pair of 1.5's with the dog ear stands caught my eye a few days ago on ebay.
Don't see them for sale all that often.

 

[chef free]

The two speakers are very similar. Both use Watkins Dual Drive woofers and the smaller EMIT tweeters, both are rated as reproducing 38-32 kHz +/-3dB, even the non-mirrored boxes are similar in size; Q5 is 26.5"X15"X12" while the RS1.5 is 26.5"X15"X11".

The only real difference is the midrange driver and the crossover. The Q5 uses the 1 1/2" dome crossed at 4 kHz and 600 Hz, but the RS1.5 uses a 5" cone mid that is crossed at 5 kHz and 350 Hz.

The differences will be subtle...

 

[curtpenn]

Always loved the Q5s and thought they were the best bang for the buck if you could stretch a bit and had enough current to do them justice. I could only afford the Juniors back in the day and I still have them. Was fortunate to find a nice pair of Q2s in 2005 and they are now my mains. Still want some QLS-1s. Maybe someday. I’d keep those Q5s forever and enjoy them somewhere.