In this review, we will be comparing 3020c and Ultra Evolution Nano, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Q Acoustics and SVS.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Q Acoustics 3020c and SVS Ultra Evolution Nano first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Q Acoustics 3020c | SVS Ultra Evolution Nano |
|---|
| Brand | Q Acoustics
United Kingdom · founded 2006 | SVS
United States · founded 1998 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.9" decoupled | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4.74" Coated paper | 5.25" Composite glass-fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 60-30k Hz | 44-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 85 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-90 watts | 20-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.50kg / 12.1lbs | 6.10kg / 13.4lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11" x 6.9" x 11.1"
279 x 175 x 281 mm | 12.36" x 7.48" x 9.57"
314 x 190 x 243mm |
|---|
What size room are the Q Acoustics 3020c and SVS Ultra Evolution Nano 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 |
SVS Ultra Evolution Nano |
| 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both 3020c and Ultra Evolution Nano are 2-way speakers.
Q Acoustics 3020cSVS Ultra Evolution Nano
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 3020c |
SVS Ultra Evolution Nano |
|
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 Ultra Evolution Nano features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Composite glass-fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1900Hz.
Frequency Response
3020c has a frequency range of 60-30k Hz whereas Ultra Evolution Nano has a frequency range of 44-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 44Hz, the Ultra Evolution Nano can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 3020c'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
3020c and Ultra Evolution Nano have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 3020c sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Ultra Evolution Nano's is at 85 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Q Acoustics 3020c a more sensitive speaker compared to SVS Ultra Evolution Nano, 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.
Ultra Evolution Nano can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas 3020c has a max power handling value of 90 watts RMS, 60 watts less than the Ultra Evolution Nano.
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
3020c features Gold-plated 5-way type posts and Ultra Evolution Nano has a Gold-plated 5-way type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
SVS Ultra Evolution Nano's Gold-plated 5-way terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 3020c and Ultra Evolution Nano 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 3020c's and SVS Ultra Evolution Nano'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 SVS Ultra Evolution Nano has external dimensions of 314 x 190 x 243mm (12.36 x 7.48 x 9.57”).
Q Acoustics 3020c is 15mm narrower and 35mm shorter than SVS Ultra Evolution Nano but it is also 38mm 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 SVS Ultra Evolution Nano is approximately 461.7cm2 / 71.6inch2. The 3020c requires 7% more surface area than the Ultra Evolution Nano which gives it a small disadvantage 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 3020c weighs 5.50kg / 12.1lbs and the SVS Ultra Evolution Nano weighs 6.10kg / 13.4lbs. This makes the Ultra Evolution Nano 11% heavier than the 3020c.
Here is a comparison of how 3020c and Ultra Evolution Nano'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 3020c?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 3020c:
- 2 x 3020c bookshelf speakers
- 2 x Foam Bungs
- 2 x Speaker Grilles
- 1 x User Manual
- 1 x Handling Gloves
- 8 x Rubber Speaker Grips
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
279mm
vs
314mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
549USD
vs
899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
90 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4.74 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
44 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
30k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
461cm2
vs
491cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Q Acoustics 3020c |
SVS Ultra Evolution Nano |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-90 watts |
20-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
85 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.7 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
60-30k Hz |
44-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4.74" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Coated paper |
Composite glass-fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.9" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
decoupled |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2600Hz |
1900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
279.0mm (11") |
314.0mm (12.4") |
| Width |
175.0mm (6.9") |
190.0mm (7.5") |
| Depth |
281.0mm (11.1") |
243.0mm (9.6") |
| Weight |
5.50kg (12.1lbs) |
6.10kg (13.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, Black, White, Oak |
Piano Gloss Black,Piano Gloss White,Black Oak Veneer |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| 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 |
These sit in different price classes - SVS Ultra Evolution Nano costs roughly 1.6x what Q Acoustics 3020c does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | SVS Ultra Evolution Nano digs deeper - 44Hz against 60Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Q Acoustics 3020c is more sensitive (87dB vs 85dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | SVS Ultra Evolution Nano takes more power (150W vs 90W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Price | A | Q Acoustics 3020c is cheaper - $549 against $899, about 39% less; arguably a different class. |
A Q Acoustics 3020c B SVS Ultra Evolution Nano
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?
SVS Ultra Evolution Nano is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 64% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Q Acoustics 3020c looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the SVS Ultra Evolution Nano appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 60Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Q Acoustics 3020c much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Q Acoustics 3020c the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and SVS Ultra Evolution Nano for a mid-size room and a large room.
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.