In this review, we will be comparing 3010c and Diamond 12.0, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Q Acoustics and Wharfedale.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Q Acoustics 3010c and Wharfedale 12.0 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Q Acoustics 3010c Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 0.9" decoupled Tweeter
- 4" Coated paper Woofer
- 60-30k Hz Frequency Response
- 85 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:15-80watts
- Weight:4.40kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 254.0" x 6.1" x 9.9"( 254 x 155 x 251 mm )
Wharfedale 12.0 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 4" Mica-infused polypropylene Woofer
- 70-20k Hz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:20-60watts
- Weight:5.10kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 265.0" x 6.2" x 8.9"( 265.0 x 160.0 x 228.0mm )
What size room are the Q Acoustics 3010c and Wharfedale 12.0 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 |
Wharfedale 12.0 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Good |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
No way |
(* 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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Q Acoustics 3010c and Wharfedale 12.0 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both 3010c and Diamond 12.0 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Q Acoustics 3010c |
Wharfedale 12.0 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.9-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 4-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 Diamond 12.0 features a 1" Textile Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Mica-infused polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700Hz.
Frequency Response
3010c has a frequency range of 60-30k Hz whereas Diamond 12.0 has a frequency range of 70-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 60Hz, the 3010c can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Diamond 12.0's min frequency of 70Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. 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 Diamond 12.0 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 Diamond 12.0's is rated at 87 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale 12.0 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. While using
an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the
max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
3010c can handle a max power of 80 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Diamond 12.0 has a max power handling value of 60 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the 3010c.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Diamond 12.0 features 5-way post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. 3010c has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 3010c and Diamond 12.0 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
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 Wharfedale 12.0'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 Wharfedale 12.0 has external dimensions of 265.0 x 160.0 x 228.0mm ( 10.4 x 6.2 x 8.9inch) .
Q Acoustics 3010c is 5mm narrower and 11mm shorter than Wharfedale 12.0 but it is also 23mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Q Acoustics 3010c and Wharfedale 12.0 in scale.
Comparison image of Q Acoustics 3010c and Wharfedale 12.0 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 Wharfedale 12.0 is approximately 364.8cm2 / 56.5inch2. The 3010c requires 7% more surface area than the Diamond 12.0 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an 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 Wharfedale 12.0 on a Media Console