Q Acoustics 3010i
It’s easy to forget that Q Acoustics is still a relatively young company. Formed back in 2006, it quickly became one of our go-to brands for affordable speakers. While the company has steadily expanded its range over time to include more premium offerings, the entry-level 3000i series remains at the core of its line-up.
There are now three standmounters in the 3000i range. The newest and priciest are the 3030is. They launched at £329 a few months ago, but you won’t have to look too hard for discounts. Strangely, the company produced these speakers two years after the rest of the range – but we’re glad it did. In our opinion, they are excellent value for money.
Given that there’s so much shared tech between these and the standmounters below – the 3020i (£199) and 3010i (£160) – it is interesting to compare and contrast the three. All were awarded the full five stars when tested, and remain among the best in their price class.
So, does the right choice for you come down to going for the most expensive one you can afford, or does one of the junior speakers rise above its station?
It’s difficult to differentiate between the three models from a picture unless they’re shown next to each other. Dimensions aside, they look pretty much the same, with a clean front panel, two drive units and rounded cabinet edges.
They’re all built to similarly high standards with a quality of fit and finish that few rivals can match. Their cabinets feel solid and inert thanks to carefully considered bracing. In each case, there’s a choice of four finish options – black, white, grey or walnut.
Varying cabinet sizes
Put these speakers side by side and you’ll see that, despite the visual similarity, there’s a significant difference in cabinet size. The 3010is have an internal volume of 4.0 litres, the 3020i take that up to 6.1 litres and the 3030is more than double that at 12.5 litres. As you move up the range (and the models get bigger), it comes as no surprise to find that the mid/bass driver does as well.
It starts as a 10cm coated paper–coned unit in the smallest speaker, grows to 12.5cm in the middle one and ends at 16.5cm for the 3030i, which has a drive unit from the range’s floorstander, but tuned for this installation. Each model benefits from a rear-firing reflex port.
All three speakers use the same tweeter design. It’s a well-behaved wide surround dome that produces some of the most refined and detailed sounds we’ve heard at this end of the market. Q Acoustics has also decoupled the tweeter unit from the front panel by means of a silicone isolation system. This kind of thing is usually seen only at premium price points and reduces the negative effects of vibrations generated by the mid/bass unit.
None of these Q Acoustics is particularly difficult to drive, which is sensible, given they’re as likely to be partnered with a low-power micro system as a dedicated hi-fi amplifier. The 3010is are the least sensitive at 86db/ W/m, so will require more driving than the other two (both rated at 88db/w/m).
Why are the cheapest and smallest of the trio the most power hungry? There is a compromise between sensitivity and low-frequency extension and, with a smaller speaker, there’s more need to sacrifice sensitivity for a balanced sound.
While these speakers have a great many similarities, that doesn’t extend to room positioning. In our test room, the 3010is sound best close (around 10cm) from the rear wall where the extra sonic reinforcement adds some much-needed substance to their bass. In comparison, we have to move the 3020is a little further out – around 25cm – to get the optimum frequency balance, and it’s almost double that for the 3030is.
Impressive maturity
Given an appropriate setting, the 3010is are terrific performers. Their presentation has a maturity that belies their modest price. It’s impressively detailed and nicely balanced, working well across a wide range of music and electronics. Some rivals offer a more exciting listen, including the Dali Spektor 2s, but the 3010is’ appeal lies more in fading into the background and leaving the music to do the entertaining.
They’re a little rounded tonally, which makes sense as budget electronics can sound a little crude. That smoothness is never taken too far though. The well-behaved treble has bite as well as insight and, once properly positioned, the speakers produce decently weighty and tuneful bass.
In absolute terms, we’re left wanting for scale and dynamic contrast, but given the 3010i’s price and size it would be wrong to make too much of these things. All things considered, this is an accomplished performance.
Move up in price (and size) to the 3020is and we gain in terms of dynamic expression and authority, as expected. These speakers lose nothing to their smaller siblings. All the insight and refinement of the 3010is remains intact and is reinforced by greater muscle and an improved sense of composure.
The 3020is are better at delivering the punch of a Massive Attack bassline or rendering the majestic quality of an orchestra in full flow. Neither of these speakers prioritises rhythmic drive, but they’re more than able to communicate the changing momentum of the music being played. Whether you’re into Kate Bush or Jay Z, these Qs render it well.
So where does that leave the largest and most expensive of our trio? The 3030is are the only ones here to have a go at deep bass. Their considerably more generous internal volume and larger mid/bass driver make themselves felt. They have a big-boned presentation and sonic heft that the smaller speakers can’t get close to. If you have a larger room, these are the ones for you.
But if you don’t, or are willing to sacrifice a bit of low-end authority for a slightly more articulate midrange, then go for the 3020is. While each model does well at its respective level, we think the middle ones strike the sweetest performance-per-pound balance.