In this review, we will be comparing 3010c and Alpha P3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Q Acoustics and PSB.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Q Acoustics 3010c and PSB P3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Q Acoustics 3010c | PSB P3 |
|---|
| Brand | Q Acoustics
United Kingdom · founded 2006 | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.9" decoupled | 0.75" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4" Coated paper | 4.5" Polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 60-30k Hz | 57-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 85 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-80 watts | 10-80 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 4.41kg / 9.7lbs | 2.23kg / 4.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 10" x 6.1" x 9.9"
254 x 155 x 251 mm | 8-3/4" x 5-3/16" x 7-5/16"
223.0 x 132.0 x 186.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Q Acoustics 3010c and PSB P3 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 3010c |
PSB P3 |
| 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.
Drivers
Both 3010c and Alpha P3 are 2-way speakers.
Q Acoustics 3010cPSB P3
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 3010c |
PSB P3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.9-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
3010c features a 0.9" decoupled Tweeter and 1 x 4" Coated paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3100Hz . On the other hand, the Alpha P3 features a 0.75" anodized aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz.
Frequency Response
3010c has a frequency range of 60-30k Hz whereas Alpha P3 has a frequency range of 57-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 57Hz, the Alpha P3 can go slightly deeper then the 3010c's min frequency of 60Hz.
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
3010c is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the Alpha P3 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. 3010c sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the Alpha P3's is rated at 87 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the PSB P3 a more sensitive speaker compared to Q Acoustics 3010c, 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 80 watts RMS, though 3010c is rated 15-80 watts and Alpha P3 10-80 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
3010c features 5-way post type posts and Alpha P3 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
PSB P3's 5-way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 3010c and Alpha P3 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 3010c's and PSB P3's external dimensions. Q Acoustics 3010c has external dimensions of 254 x 155 x 251 mm (10.0 x 6.1 x 9.9 in) whereas PSB P3 has external dimensions of 223.0 x 132.0 x 186.0mm (8-3/4 x 5-3/16 x 7-5/16inch).
Q Acoustics 3010c is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 23mm wider, 31mm taller and 65mm deeper than PSB P3.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Q Acoustics 3010c and PSB P3 in scale.
Comparison image of Q Acoustics 3010c and PSB P3 Size and External Dimensions
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 3010c is approximately 389.1cm2 / 60.3inch2 and base area of the PSB P3 is approximately 245.5cm2 / 38.1inch2. The 3010c requires 58% more surface area than the Alpha P3 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Q Acoustics 3010c and PSB P3 on a Media Console
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 3010c weighs 4.41kg / 9.7lbs and the PSB P3 weighs 2.23kg / 4.9lbs. This makes the 3010c 98% heavier than the Alpha P3.
Here is a comparison of how 3010c and Alpha P3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Q Acoustics 3010c?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 3010c:
- 2 x 3010c bookshelf speakers
- 2 x Foam Bungs
- 2 x Speaker Grilles
- 1 x User Manual
- 1 x Handling Gloves
- 8 x Rubber Speaker Grips
What's in the Box of PSB P3?
Here are the items that come with the Alpha P3:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Minimum Impedance |
4 ohms
vs
3.7 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
4.5 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
57 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
223mm
vs
254mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
245cm2
vs
389cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
279USD
vs
399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Q Acoustics 3010c |
PSB Alpha P3 |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
15-80 watts |
10-80 watts |
| Sensitivity |
85 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.7 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
60-30k Hz |
57-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
4.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Coated paper |
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.9" |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
decoupled |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
3100Hz |
3000Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
254.0mm (10") |
223.0mm (8.8") |
| Width |
155.0mm (6.1") |
132.0mm (5.2") |
| Depth |
251.0mm (9.9") |
186.0mm (7.3") |
| Weight |
4.41kg (9.7lbs) |
2.23kg (4.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, Black, White, Oak |
Walnut,Black Ash |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
28-30" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
4 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
4 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Q Acoustics 3010c is the newer design, against a 2019 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | PSB P3 digs deeper - 57Hz against 60Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | PSB P3 is more sensitive (87dB vs 85dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | PSB P3 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (80W vs 80W). |
| Size | depends | PSB P3 is easier to place; Q Acoustics 3010c is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. PSB P3 sits in a wider range (9 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | PSB P3 is cheaper - $279 against $399, about 30% less. |
A Q Acoustics 3010c B PSB P3
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system 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?
PSB P3 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Q Acoustics 3010c if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. Match it to your room: we rate Q Acoustics 3010c the better fit for near-field listening; elsewhere the two are rated the same. In a large or open-plan room, Q Acoustics 3010c has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, PSB P3 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.