Reviewing the Q Acoustics 3030i: Is This the New $500 Champ?

[@JRiffle_HeaveHoStudio]

Chris, thank you for this review! I recently built a quality starter stereo setup and your review of the Q Acoustics 3030i speakers were a key part of the selection process for my rig. Everything sounds great, and I can finally spin some records I haven't listened to since the early 80s.

[@thevinylattack]

They really are damn good speakers.

[@tharveytucker1]

I’ve had the 3030i for about a year now. Broken in or rather (my ears have broken in to them) and they sound great. I have them on top of a kallax stand, being around a foot from the wall. The bass hasn’t been boomy for me. If I had more space, I’d definitely put them on stands and spread them out further.

[@thevinylattack]

They do very well on the stands if you're able to make the space down the line.

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

Wow this is one of the most detailed reviews I've ever heard,his in depth analysis of certain instrument performance is above and beyond even "audiophile" speaker reviewers Very impressive sir

[@thevinylattack]

Thank you for saying so.

[@BMaxey]

I've been very impressed with the Q Acoustics speakers that I have heard. I went with the TOTL Concept 500's. They replaced a pair of Dynaudio Contour 30's that I had for a few years. As I was "upgrading" to a "higher-end" speaker, I auditioned (in-home when I could) several speakers in the $10k to $20k range. Goldenear Triton References, Dynaudio Confidence 30i's, Magico A5's, Sonus Faber Serafino's, and others went through the paces and, frankly, the Concept 500 was able to easily compete with those much more expensive speakers.

[@thevinylattack]

From what I've heard thus far, I'm not terribly surprised that the Q's held their own. They're making a very solid product.

[@kenspo]

My listening room is so small, so Im thinking about these combined with Rotel RA-1062 when playing vinyl. Good review!!

[@thevinylattack]

They'll certainly fill a small room with sound.

[@kenspo]

@@thevinylattack Thank you! Just been offered a nice pair of Dali Zensor 3, so not sure what to do now..haha!

[@thevinylattack]

@@kenspo GIve them a listen and go from there.

[@kenspo]

@@thevinylattack Thank you! :)

[@TLA1014]

Another great review, Chris! My Triangle BR03's are a bit jealous for sure! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on another bookshelf speaker!

[@thevinylattack]

My pleasure!

[@epi2045]

Thanks for making it a point that measurements aren’t the full story. I love cooking and it’s amazing how some herbs taste differently if they are cut, torn, crushed, and run through the food processor. I remind myself of this when I am auditioning equipment. They’re subtle things that change the sound even though the sum on parts are the same.

[@thevinylattack]

A very good analogy.

[@jikenj]

Another perfect video Chris ! I've been a Ub5 and Uf5 for a few years now and as you said these need power! My Emotiva basx a 100 does a great job for the Ub5's hope to try out a pair of those Q'S in the near future.

[@thevinylattack]

I think you'll be quite impressed with the improved sound of the Q.

[@benirw1n]

I don't want to turn this place into "ask Chris whatever you want about audio products" corner, but what is your experience & opinion on Dynaudio as far as bookshelf speakers go? I'm looking at their Emit M10s, and am curious if you think a used pair for under would $500 beat these options, especially if I am looking for an accurate and neutral sound profile in my speakers.

[@thevinylattack]

I haven't had any Dynaudio stuff come through my door.

[@rakoksy]

I have it and I like it very much but I'd like to try also elac uni-fi ub52. What's your advice ?(the price is the same now)

[@thevinylattack]

The Elac's sound good, but they're just too hard to drive in my opinion.

[@andreassouth1523]

.I'm not into forward (in your face)sounding speakers. So i bought a month ago Q 3030i with Yamaha a-s 501.I was very worry maybe the sound turn out to be too bright for me.Ηappily the sound is laid back.The highs are crystal but not offencive,the mids are warm and revealingly and the bass deep and strong (in my room).In some movies bass gets very low frequencies like a subwoofer!The whole room is shaking!!So i don't have to spend more money for a subwoofer. Like i said i was worry about the synergy between them but Yamaha A-S 501 proved to be a true gem.

[@thevinylattack]

That sounds like a good pairing.

[@mjallenuk]

An excellent review sir. I've been considering some stand mount speakers for a while for the back room. Q-Acoustics are high on my list but I'm a bit on the fence as I don't know how much use they'll get.

[@thevinylattack]

I can assure you they won't get any use at all if they're not in the back room ;-)

[@CosmicKnight1]

Hi Chris, nice review. Would you please link to Owen’s music. I’m not find him out KZbin. Thanks.

[@CosmicKnight1]

Owain Phyfe. Played in The New World Renaissance Band. Partial discography on Wikipedia.

[@thevinylattack]

I put a link in the description :-)

[@JoseGarcia-oo4mc]

Thanks for this video. Will these speakers match with a Hegel h 95 ?

[@Totalplonker]

The sound of Q acoustics will always have a place in my 💚

[@thevinylattack]

I'm a fan. No question.

[@mden2490]

Thanks again for a great video. Do these have enough bass extension, without a subwoofer?

[@thevinylattack]

While I think every system would benefit in some way from a sub, these definitely hold their own in the low end department.

[@mden2490]

@@thevinylattack thank you

[@EclecticMusicMan]

I have the 3050i floorstander’s but I do find them a bit shouty at higher volumes.

[@thevinylattack]

Interesting. I didn't find that with the 3030i.

[@BigMacIain]

Nice review, thanks. Would these pair well with my Rotel A11 Tribute?

[@thevinylattack]

Absolutely.

[@hashman3171]

That sir... May I say....is one fine beard today!!!! Great review on the speakers

[@thevinylattack]

Glad you liked it!

[@richardlloyd5519]

Hi! Great review and comparison here. BTW What was Owen's last name? I think I am mis- hearing or mis-spelling / trying to locate his work on iTunes

[@thevinylattack]

Owain Phyfe. There's a link to his music right in the description as well.

[@Meisuko]

That was well done review. Thank you.

[@thevinylattack]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@josephanthony2865]

Dude! Your reviews are so helpful. So, I’m rolling w/ Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo, ifi Zen preamp…. And now the question of speakers. These 3030i’s are in the budget… but, if it was manageable to add a few more dollars to the speaker budget I’m wondering if you have any thoughts about the next stanchion up? Was looking at the Martin Logan 15i shelf speakers.. My listening needs are strictly turntable but I may incorporate a CD player down the road. wondering if ML would be a good direction or if you might have another consideration. By the way, loved the Kill ‘Em All review. I’m wearing my T-shirt right now. Peace!

[@thevinylattack]

Personally, I'd go with the Q acoustics.

[@josephanthony2865]

@@thevinylattack yer judgment is always sound. Roger that.

[@josephanthony2865]

Hey again… last question…. With the price of stands for each 3030i, if money weren’t that much of an issue would it be just as smart to go ahead and buy the 3050i? And, if yes, would the ifi Zen work well w/ the 3050i’s ? Thanks for all yer good high-fi steers 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@thevinylattack]

@@josephanthony2865 I'm sure it'd be a good setup.

[@andreassouth1523]

Excellent review!!

[@thevinylattack]

Thank you.

[@johngreek]

After almost 3 year's with BR03's A took the risk to sell them and bought the 3030i .. because I was looking for a more realistic neutral sound speaker , also The Vocal mids reproduces Thin in BR03's and the mid-highs are boosted very much for me Ears. So, setting Up The 3030i in my room with Nait 5i , iFi Zen Dac, and Raspberry Pi4.... Testing Almost every Genres of Music And .. owww my goodness YES !!! Boom !! That's for me ,in this price range They're Fantastic!!!

[@thevinylattack]

The 3030 is still my favorite speaker in this price range.

[@sonebombone]

Hi, i am now buying my first speakers that are not logitech computer speakers :D I was looking at Br03 and 3030i with onkyo 9010. So would you say 3030i are definitely a better option?

[@johngreek]

so .. its very different speakers in sound , if you want something all go around with more bass ! go for the 3030i ,it is more forgiving but sometimes a boring speaker , in the other hand the BR03 shines in tonality and female voices !!!! and very good for Modern music ,,, @@sonebombone

[@francisdelacruz6439]

What's the associated equipment set up?

[@thevinylattack]

In what regard?

[@francisdelacruz6439]

For the test. Do you have an equipment listing for the comparison? Such as source, amp / pre / integrated etc.? Maybe I missed that....

[@thevinylattack]

@@francisdelacruz6439 I listed the equipment used in the video.

[@SherlockChromesSFY]

I wonder how these would hold up against the Klipsch Fives? I’ve been seeing a lot of buzz about the Fives on other channels. I’d love to hear your take on them

[@brochg]

Until Klipsch adds an EQ to their app, the fives are a waste of money. They are all bass, all the time.

[@thevinylattack]

As the Klipsch are a powered speaker, I really wouldn't do a like for like comparison. I'd be happy to review the speaker though if I can get the Klipsch people on board.

[@solishomero]

Where do we purchase this speaker at your rate sir?

[@thevinylattack]

You can find them online at several major retailers.

[@solishomero]

@@thevinylattack That's not the endorsement I wanted to hear

[@VinodKumar-gx7wj]

Beautiful and helpful review!! How good it is in the imaging and soundstaging area?

[@thevinylattack]

Glad you liked it.

[@VinodKumar-gx7wj]

@@thevinylattack Could you please let me know how good it is for imaging and soundstaging?

[@VinodKumar-gx7wj]

Will it pair well with Audiolab 6000A?

[@thevinylattack]

I couldn't see why not.

[@edwardgoettl72]

Another great review. Thanks for the music suggestions as well. Was the name of your friend Owen Fife? I think I have that wrong because I can’t find anything for him. Thanks again.

[@michaelhickey001]

Owain Phyfe

[@thevinylattack]

Here's the album I used in this review: open.spotify.com/album/6fXfMf2L6bR5qPOO5do7TL?si=OK28Zu_yRvytirOMsLimeQ

[@marcmarcello981]

Excellent album reviews.

[@thevinylattack]

Thanks.

[@lewiswaddo5045]

I have the 3030i with stand mount, the 3020i and the 3070s subwoofer. Was my main setup for a couple of years before I moved on to the Dali Oberon 9s which I paired with some Townshend super tweeters. Loved my Q-acoustics setup though! Great for a starter speaker :) One thing I find interesting about the review is the price. I live in the U.K., so I picked these up for £270 in the U.K. which works out to be about $360 USD. I guess shipping is expensive due to them being 25kg and then tax on top. I recall it being about £30 to ship locally in the U.K. haha. End of the day, great speakers. My other half uses them now in her listening room. :D

[@thevinylattack]

Shipping costs definitely come into play. Still a great value for the money.

[@mden2490]

Would you say that the 3030s need a subwoofer in a two channel system?

[@S.L.1211]

I own that Dexter Gordon album re-release and I agree it is superb. Simply wonderful HiFi. One of my favourite records to play on my system.

[@thevinylattack]

I sometimes feel like he doesn't get as much credit for his playing as he deserves.

[@peterfitton4529]

Is this the 2015 remaster? Or the CD version that has 4 tracks rather than 3?

[@thevinylattack]

@@peterfitton4529 It's the 2021 Tone Poet reissue.

[@peterfitton4529]

@@thevinylattack ah, ok. So the Tone Poet remaster is a vinyl only release, I take it?

[@thevinylattack]

@@peterfitton4529 Correct.

[@D1N02]

I've listened to the comparison with the KEF Q350 over on the E Project channel, and I much preferred the KEF. A more relaxed bottom up sound. The upper mids of the 3030i were drawing too much attention, making it feel congested to me.

[@s.daniel9224]

I agree. The congestion at mid to high volumes I’d disappointing. But, I think this may be a 2-way problem more then the build. I still find myself going back to the 3030i’s for less busy music.

[@D1N02]

@@s.daniel9224 Someone should compare it to the newer 5020

[@EA-58]

I own the 3020i...still think switching to his big brother.

[@thevinylattack]

I've not heard the 3020, but I can say the 3030 is quite a performer.

[@scrunts666]

Not bad for £270 :) I would still go for a vintage pair though and save about £200 and get just as much sound :D

[@thevinylattack]

A vintage pair of what?

[@scrunts666]

@@thevinylattack Mission, Tannoy, KEF, Mordaunt Short, Rega. Gale, JPW, so many to choose from, all can be found for less than £100 and all will be as good, maybe even better, than the Q Accoustics which are okay, but by no means do anything that has not been done many times already.

[@thevinylattack]

@@scrunts666 It's a possibility. I prefer the warranty and comfort of knowing where my products have been/treated.

[@scrunts666]

@@thevinylattack Fair enough, I think you are missing out on some classics though that would be good for video reviews :)

[@thevinylattack]

@@scrunts666 Considering the various states of vintage gear, I don't think it would be useful to people who can't buy the same thing I'd be reviewing.

[@paulhanlon5112]

In my opinion the 3030i are giant killers, Room Acoustics play a massive part in these speakers performance, patience in setting them up will reward the listener,,,not doing so and it will go pear shaped,,,in my room I could not get them Dialed in, so I sold them and purchased the 3020i (smaller) which for me cured the problem,,,I would have no reservations in recommending either of these models,,,,crazy value!!!!

[@thevinylattack]

They're still my favorite speakers under $500. Q Acoustics makes some really nice stuff.

[@kevin_m]

I pulled the trigger on the 3030i after a bunch of research and am hoping using with a sub/marantz/WiiM ultra w room correction will work out well. Fingers crossed. 😅

[@dvdr866]

At Amazon where I am they are 200 dollars for me

[@johntrott9513]

Ha! My perverse needs. Definitely need the massage of a good subwoofer or two.

[@thevinylattack]

They definitely fill out the sound.

[@elmerbais]

Q acoustic all the way

[@jeremyr722]

Of the three speakers, I would choose the 3030i in a heartbeat. I have a feeling the Triangle would be too bright for me, and the ELAC... well, I just am not a fan of its looks. Btw I’m a percussionist, and I 100% know what an udu is 👍

[@thevinylattack]

It wasn't an udu, it was an oud ;-)

[@Madjed2024]

Oud is the Arabic lute

[@1mctous]

My brother-in-law builds and plays both ouds and guitars as a hobby. I didn't have to look it up. Speakers and headphones alike stand or fall on drum sound.

[@thevinylattack]

It's always nice to have a luthier in the family.

[@gdemirjian]

Sounds like you're reviewing the recordings, not speakers. I typically like your reviews, but this was over complicated for a $500 speaker. I auditioned the Elac, the Q's and the BR03. I used a Polk PSW108 and the best combo in my room was with the BR03.

[@thevinylattack]

Probably because this speaker impressed me so much.

[@SlippstersVideos]

Did i hear you say fret speak? Ahhhhhhhh kay.

[@thevinylattack]

I said squeak, but I said it a little too fast.

[@richardlloyd5519]

@@thevinylattack I like the idea of Fret Speak ; )

[@Audfile]

You put 500 on top of another 500.

[@cd-rom.]

A: In the trash, where it belongs.

[@cd-rom.]

🤡