In this review, we will be comparing 3020c and Q1 Meta, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Q Acoustics and KEF.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Q Acoustics 3020c and KEF Q1 Meta first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Q Acoustics 3020c Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 0.9" decoupled Tweeter
- 4.74" Coated paper Woofer
- 60-30k Hz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:25-90watts
- Weight:5.50kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 279.0" x 6.9" x 11.1"( 279 x 175 x 281 mm )
KEF Q1 Meta Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 12th Generation Uni-Q Driver
- 1" Hard dome Tweeter
- 5.25" Aluminum Woofer
- 51-20k Hz Frequency Response
- 86 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 4ohms
- Power Range:Up to 150watts
- Weight:6.09kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 302.0" x 7.1" x 10.9"( 302 x 180 x 277 mm )
What size room are the Q Acoustics 3020c and KEF Q1 Meta 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 3020c |
KEF Q1 Meta |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Poor |
(* 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 3020c and KEF Q1 Meta 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 3020c and Q1 Meta are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Q Acoustics 3020c |
KEF Q1 Meta |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.9-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.74-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
3020c features a 0.9" decoupled Tweeter and 1 x 4.74" Coated paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2600Hz. On the other hand, the Q1 Meta features a 1" vented aluminum dome with MAT absorber Hard dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2.1 kHz.
Frequency Response
3020c has a frequency range of 60-30k Hz whereas Q1 Meta has a frequency range of 51-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 51Hz, the Q1 Meta can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 3020c's min frequency of 60Hz.
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
3020c is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the Q1 Meta which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Q1 Meta can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. 3020c sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Q1 Meta's is rated at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Q Acoustics 3020c a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF Q1 Meta, 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.
3020c can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas 3020c has a max power handling value of 90 watts RMS , 60 watts less than the Q1 Meta.
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
3020c features Binding Post type posts and Q1 Meta has a Binding Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KEF Q1 Meta's Binding Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 3020c and Q1 Meta 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 3020c's and KEF Q1 Meta's external dimensions. Q Acoustics 3020c has external dimensions of 279 x 175 x 281 mm ( 11.0 x 6.9 x 11.1 in) whereas KEF Q1 Meta has external dimensions of 302 x 180 x 277 mm ( 11.9 x 7.1 x 10.9 in.) .
Q Acoustics 3020c is 5mm narrower and 23mm shorter than KEF Q1 Meta but it is also 4mm deeper.
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 3020c is approximately 491.8cm2 / 76.2inch2 and base area of the KEF Q1 Meta is approximately 498.6cm2 / 77.3inch2. The 3020c requires 1% less surface area than the Q1 Meta which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.