Q Acoustics 3030i Review - A Beautiful Bookshelf Speaker
Q Acoustics is one of the most popular speaker brands of the past decade. The success has been down to their ability to encapsulate a consumer audience as well as Hifi enthusiasts. The 3020 is considered a gold standard by many at its price point, and having reviewed it in the past; we are impressed with its products.
Today, we will review the Q Acoustics 3030i bookshelf speakers; they are a little bit bigger and a bit more expensive, but I think they still represent good value for money in 2022.
Pricing & Availability
The Q Acoustics 3030i is available to purchase online as well as in many Hifi stores. They are usually in stock but may need to be preordered in some cases. You can click the link below, which will show you the Amazon pricing in your local area.
Specifications Evaluation
The Q Acoustics 3030i is renowned for housing an impressive set of hardware under its sleek exterior. The cabinet utilizes a precise construction methodology employing point-to-point (P2P) bracing, substantially reducing cabinet interference to offer a purer sound. This technique is drawn from the higher-end Concept 500 series, which speaks volumes about its efficacy in enhancing structural integrity.
The loudspeakers house a 165mm (6.5 in) mid/bass driver coupled with a 22mm (0.9 in) decoupled high-frequency dome tweeter to ensure the reproduction of crisp highs and substantial lows. These specifications, aligned with a calculated crossover frequency of 2.4kHz, permit the 3030i to produce a detailed and balanced harmonic output.
A noteworthy attribute is its low-frequency response, which can reach as low as 46Hz, giving it a substantial presence in the lower end of the frequency spectrum. Its frequency response is fairly broad, stretching from 46 Hz to 30 kHz. The speaker exhibits a sensitivity of 88 dB, which means it can deliver a substantial volume even at moderate power inputs.
The recommended amplifier power range is 25 to 75 watts, underlining its compatibility with various home entertainment systems and audio setups. The nominal impedance is standardized at 6 ohms, allowing it to maintain a reliable and steady performance with most amplifiers.
To cater to a diverse array of individual preferences and room aesthetics, the 3030i is offered in a selection of contemporary finishes, including Arctic White, Carbon Black, Graphite Grey, and English Walnut, seamlessly blending with modern room interiors.
In terms of physical dimensions, each unit measures 200mm in width, 325mm in height, and 329mm in depth, offering a substantial yet compact footprint that can fit into various living spaces without overpowering the room's aesthetics.
The Q Acoustics 3030i represents a merger of refined engineering and aesthetic design, promising a powerful auditory experience and visually appealing addition to one’s living space. Its features and specifications make it a formidable contender for bookshelf speakers.
Build Quality, and Design
Q Acoustics has followed right in line with their design language on the 3030i; it fits right in place with the larger 3050 and smaller 3020 models. It has a bit of funk and flare that happily differentiates itself from traditional boxy bookshelf speakers.
There is an emphasis on the curves, whether it be the rounded edges of the cabinets or the stylized alignment of the drivers and their mounts. It looks modern and sleek, but perhaps the best aspect is that it is available in three colors (White, Black, Walnut, and Graphite Grey) to match your interior.
The build quality is excellent and above what we usually see in this price range. Each speaker is meticulously well finished, with zero imperfections or seams, and even when we removed the drivers to look inside, there was no overspill on the glue or rough cuts of the driver mounts. Bracing was considered more than sufficient for a speaker of this size.
These speakers are not powered/active, so amplification will be determined by other units in your hifi setup. Standard cabling can connect the speakers to said amplification; on the back, you will find two screw-down jacks to attach. These are gold plated and channels indicated by red and black rings.
On to the meat of the speaker now and driving the sound is a 2-way driver setup. It’s a standard layout with a sizeable 6.5-inch woofer on the bottom and a 1-inch dome tweeter on top. You can also find the Emotiva B1+ for less money, which would be an excellent alternative to the 3030i should you wish to experiment with ribbon tweeters.
The bass port is large and mounted on the speakers' rear, so you must account for the position you will place them in the room to optimize the sound. They became overly boomy-sounding when placed too close to a wall, but your distance will always depend on room planning and materials.
Sound Quality
As I mentioned above, one of the strengths of Q Acoustics is the ability to straddle the consumer and enthusiast world. The 3030i does that well, giving a taste of high-end sound while not sounding flat or dull. They are an energetic and responsive speaker who handles modern music well but also holds their own when getting into jazz and classical listening sessions.
I think the clarity and spacing match well with enthusiastic speed and punch. The oversized 6.5-inch driver is fast and still delivers great thump and sub-bass response to the point that, while still beneficial, you won’t necessarily need to use a subwoofer. A lot of music I tested, like Two Feet and Infected Mushroom, banged in the low end yet still showed good texture and detail in the mid-bass.
The midrange is the most vital point where they resolve high to low midrange notes well. I never felt female vocals or upper-range cymbals to be too much. Not smooth but clear with some naturality is probably the best description I can use. Spacing was excellent, and despite throwing some complicated songs at them, like Tsaikovsky’’s 1812 Overture (Telarc with digital canons), they didn’t get confused or muddy the sound in any way.
The highs are the one area where I think they could have done better, but that’s only because my regular speakers for the past few weeks are the Emotiva I mentioned above. Those are class-leading at this price and show the Q Acoustics to be a bit less airy and resolving, although they are competitive when measured against Klipsch and Polk.
Overall, this is an entertaining speaker; its ability to go loud while resisting the deformation of the notes was impressive. I think tonally, it will suit both audiophiles and consumers simultaneously.
Alternatives to the Q Acoustics 3030i
KEF LS50 Meta
The KEF LS50 Meta leverages proprietary Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) to provide remarkably pure and natural sound by eliminating unwanted sound from the driver's rear. This compact bookshelf speaker offers a precise soundstage and deep bass, despite its small size, making it a formidable competitor in the high-fidelity speaker market. Its unique and modern design can add a stylish touch to any living space.
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
The ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 bookshelf speakers are known for their remarkable value-to-performance ratio. Designed by the renowned Andrew Jones, these speakers offer a dynamic audio experience characterized by smooth highs and deep lows, courtesy of a 1-inch cloth dome tweeter and a 6.5-inch aramid-fiber woofer. They also feature a front-firing port, allowing for greater placement flexibility and facilitating smoother low-frequency performance. Their straightforward design ensures they can easily blend into most home décor styles.
Final Verdict
I admittedly heard these speakers a few years ago, and the crazy thing was I had priced them in my head at almost $100 more. Imagine my response when I had finished the testing for this review and went to check the current RRP. That is excellent value, especially when paired with a capable amp. You can get excellent sound while still having one of the better-looking speakers at this price.
I would recommend them in a heartbeat if you're predominantly listening to rock-pop style music, but some other friendly market options may better suffice for Jazz and Classical—still an excellent speaker with a lot of positives.
