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. After a gap of a couple of years, another model was introduced, in the form of the 3030i.
They are now the largest of the three standmounters in the range and, with all the current models already having gained five-star reviews, they have quite a legacy to uphold.
Keeping it in the family
It comes as no shock to find that Q Acoustics has stuck closely to its successful recipe for the 3030is, merely adding a larger mid/bass unit and a more generous cabinet.
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 (up from 12.5cm in the junior model) is actually 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 from a photograph.
It’s 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 other speakers in the range, the enclosure is internally braced for rigidity and carefully damped to minimise any enclosure resonances.
The rear-firing port means it’s best to leave a little room between the rear of the speaker and the wall behind it. Still, 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 towards the listening position 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 need to be easy to drive so that even a micro-system, such as Denon’s D-M41DAB, can cope, and have enough in the way of 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 6007 series CD player and amplifier, these speakers have to be able to shine.
Surprisingly muscular
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 the others in the range, these are impressively cohesive performers with a smooth tonal balance and easy-going nature.
Rivals such as Dali’s Oberon 1s or B&W’S 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 Marche Slave Op.31 and the 3030is respond with a large-scale sound packed with authority. The promised bass heft is delivered, with the speakers providing plenty of weight to the low-end. Pleasingly, this extra dose of bass is well integrated and nicely controlled.
We can’t help but enjoy the way these boxes track the music’s rollercoaster dynamics, and their composure when pushed hard. They work more comfortably at high volumes than we’d expect for a product at this price too.
Switching to Massive Attack’s Heligoland, we 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.
They’re rhythmic and able to convey the changing momentum of a piece of music well. It all makes for a hugely rewarding listening experience; one that had us playing track after track long after the test session ended.
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 into the proceedings. Simply put, you can buy these with confidence.