Q Acoustics 3030i
Back in 2018, Q Acoustics launched its excellent 3000i speaker range. It appeared fully formed with multiple standmounter options, a large tower and dedicated home cinema offerings. Now, surprisingly and with little warning, we have another model in the form of the 3030i.
The 3030is are now the largest of the three standmounters of the range and, with all the current models already having gained five-star reviews, they have quite a legacy to uphold. It comes as no shock to find that Q Acoustics has stuck closely to its successful recipe here, merely adding a larger mid/bass unit and more generous cabinet.
More volume
With the speaker’s enclosure packing 12.5 litres of volume – more than double that of the 3020is (6.1 litres) – the larger mid/bass driver and cabinet bode well for bass extension, dynamic reach and the ability to play more loudly.
The 3030i’s 16.5cm mid/bass is based on the one used in the 3050i floorstanders, but tweaked to work in this installation. It hands over to a 22mm dome tweeter at 2.4khz. This tweeter is shared throughout the range and is a pleasingly detailed and refined unit. Here, though, it is decoupled from the front panel to provide isolation from the vibrations generated by the mid/bass unit, which helps improve detail and focus.
The cabinet keeps the 3000i series family appearance, so much so that some may struggle to differentiate between the various standmounters of the range in a photograph. They’re relatively deep, to give that extra volume, so if space is at a premium you may wish to look at the smaller models instead. As with the range’s other speakers, the enclosure is internally braced for rigidity and damped to minimise any enclosure resonances.
Give it space
The rear-firing port means it’s best to leave a little room between the rear of the speaker and the wall behind it, to allow the port to work properly.
We play around with positioning and find the 3030is to be refreshingly unfussy. In our test room, they sound best when placed around 40cm out into the room, but remain pretty balanced even when much closer. A little toe-in helps solidify the stereo image, but the exact angle doesn’t prove too critical.
Speakers at this level have to be able to work with a wide range of equipment. They must be easy to drive so that even a micro system such as Denon’s D-M41 can cope, and have enough smoothness to sound good with low-bitrate music streams. Yet, given suitably talented electronics, such as Rega’s Brio with a partnering Planar 3 turntable or Marantz’s 6006 series CD player and amplifier, they need to be able to shine.
Muscular yet easy-going
Give these boxes a few days to settle and they produce a sound that’s familiar yet surprisingly muscular compared with other 3000i series standmounters. Like them, these are impressively cohesive performers with a smooth tonal balance and an easy-going nature. Rivals such as Dali’s Oberon 1s or B&W’S pricier 607s may deliver a more vivid and exciting sound, but the Qs counter that with a balanced, slightly understated but always engaging performance.
We listen to Tchaikovsky’s Marché Slave Op.31 and the 3030is respond with a large-scale sound packed with authority. The promised bass heft is delivered, and it’s well integrated and nicely controlled.
We can’t help but enjoy the way these boxes track the music’s roller-coaster dynamics and their composure when pushed hard. They work more comfortably at high volumes than we’d expect for a product of this price too.
We switch to Massive Attack’s Heligoland and admire the 3030is’ ability to follow multiple instrumental strands and the way they render low level sounds in a busy mix. These are impressively detailed performers but they present that information in a coherent and unforced way.
It all makes for a hugely rewarding listening experience; one that has us playing track after track long after the test session ends.
The 3030is are a welcome addition to the 3000i range. They have all the attributes of their smaller siblings, but add a huge slice of authority.