In this review, we will be comparing 3010 and 3020, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Q Acoustics.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Q Acoustics 3010 and Q Acoustics 3020 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Q Acoustics 3010 | Q Acoustics 3020 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Dome | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4" Paper composite | 5" Paper composite |
|---|
| Frequency response | 68-22k Hz | 64-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-75 watts | 25-75 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 3.60kg / 7.9lbs | 4.60kg / 10.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9-7/16" x 5-7/8" x 8-1/16"
239.0 x 150.0 x 205.0mm | 10-3/8" x 6-11/16" x 9-5/16"
264.0 x 170.0 x 237.0mm |
|---|
3010 and 3020 are members of Q Acoustics's 3000 series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Q Acoustics 3000 Series
History
What size room are the Q Acoustics 3010 and Q Acoustics 3020 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Q Acoustics 3010 |
Q Acoustics 3020 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Bad |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both 3010 and 3020 are 2-way speakers.
Q Acoustics 3010Q Acoustics 3020
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Q Acoustics 3010 |
Q Acoustics 3020 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
3010 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Paper composite Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800Hz. On the other hand, the 3020 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Paper composite Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
3010 has a frequency range of 68-22k Hz whereas 3020 has a frequency range of 64-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 64Hz, the 3020 can go slightly deeper then the 3010's min frequency of 68Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
3010 and 3020 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 3010 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the 3020's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Q Acoustics 3020 a more sensitive speaker compared to Q Acoustics 3010, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Both handle the same maximum of 75 watts RMS, though 3010 is rated 15-75 watts and 3020 25-75 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier — change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
3010 features Binding post type posts and 3020 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 3010 and 3020 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Q Acoustics 3010's and Q Acoustics 3020's external dimensions. Q Acoustics 3010 has external dimensions of 239.0 x 150.0 x 205.0mm (9-7/16 x 5-7/8 x 8-1/16inch) whereas Q Acoustics 3020 has external dimensions of 264.0 x 170.0 x 237.0mm (10-3/8 x 6-11/16 x 9-5/16inch).
Q Acoustics 3020 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 20mm wider, 25mm taller and 32mm deeper than Q Acoustics 3010.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Q Acoustics 3010 is approximately 307.5cm2 / 47.7inch2 and base area of the Q Acoustics 3020 is approximately 402.9cm2 / 62.4inch2. The 3010 requires 24% less surface area than the 3020 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Q Acoustics 3010 weighs 3.60kg / 7.9lbs and the Q Acoustics 3020 weighs 4.60kg / 10.1lbs. This makes the 3020 28% heavier than the 3010.
Here is a comparison of how 3010 and 3020's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 Minimum Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4.0 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Height |
239mm
vs
264mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
307cm2
vs
402cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
119USD
vs
139USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
5 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
64 Hz
vs
68 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Q Acoustics 3010 |
Q Acoustics 3020 |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
Q Acoustics |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
15-75 watts |
25-75 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
4.0 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
68-22k Hz |
64-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper composite |
Paper composite |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2800Hz |
2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
239.0mm (9.4") |
264.0mm (10.4") |
| Width |
150.0mm (5.9") |
170.0mm (6.7") |
| Depth |
205.0mm (8.1") |
237.0mm (9.3") |
| Weight |
3.60kg (7.9lbs) |
4.60kg (10.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in Q Acoustics's 3000 series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
Q Acoustics 3020 digs deeper - 64Hz against 68Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
Q Acoustics 3020 is more sensitive (88dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
evenly matched |
Similar power handling (75W vs 75W). |
| Size |
depends |
Q Acoustics 3010 is easier to place; Q Acoustics 3020 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price |
A |
Q Acoustics 3010 is cheaper - $119 against $139, about 14% less. |
A Q Acoustics 3010
B Q Acoustics 3020
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement or how you will use them.
Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: Q Acoustics 3020 measures better, Q Acoustics 3010 costs about 14% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. Match it to your room: we rate Q Acoustics 3010 the better fit for near-field listening; elsewhere the two are rated the same. In a large or open-plan room, Q Acoustics 3020 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Q Acoustics 3010 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.