In this review, we will be comparing 3030i and A120, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Q Acoustics and JBL.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Q Acoustics 3030i and JBL A120 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Q Acoustics 3030i | JBL A120 |
|---|
| Brand | Q Acoustics
United Kingdom · founded 2006 | JBL
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" decoupled | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Coated paper | 4.5" Polycellulose |
|---|
| Frequency response | 46-30k Hz | 60-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-75 watts | 20-125 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.20kg / 13.6lbs | 3.82kg / 8.4lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12.7" x 7.8" x 12.9"
325.0 x 200.0 x 329.0mm | 11-1/4" x 6-3/4" x 7-7/16"
286.0 x 172.0 x 189.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Q Acoustics 3030i and JBL A120 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 3030i |
JBL A120 |
| 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 3030i and A120 are 2-way speakers.
Q Acoustics 3030iJBL A120
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 3030i |
JBL A120 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
3030i features a 1" decoupled Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Coated paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2400Hz. On the other hand, the A120 features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polycellulose Woofer.
Frequency Response
3030i has a frequency range of 46-30k Hz whereas A120 has a frequency range of 60-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the 3030i can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the A120'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
3030i and A120 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 3030i sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the A120's is at 86 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Q Acoustics 3030i a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL A120, 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.
A120 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS, whereas 3030i has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the A120.
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
3030i features 5-way post type posts and A120 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
JBL A120's 5-way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 3030i and A120 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 3030i's and JBL A120's external dimensions. Q Acoustics 3030i has external dimensions of 325.0 x 200.0 x 329.0mm (12.7 x 7.8 x 12.9inch) whereas JBL A120 has external dimensions of 286.0 x 172.0 x 189.0mm (11-1/4 x 6-3/4 x 7-7/16inch).
Q Acoustics 3030i is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 28mm wider, 39mm taller and 140mm deeper than JBL A120.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Q Acoustics 3030i and JBL A120 in scale.
Comparison image of Q Acoustics 3030i and JBL A120 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 3030i is approximately 658.0cm2 / 102.0inch2 and base area of the JBL A120 is approximately 325.1cm2 / 50.4inch2. The 3030i requires 102% more surface area than the A120 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 3030i and JBL A120 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 3030i weighs 6.20kg / 13.6lbs and the JBL A120 weighs 3.82kg / 8.4lbs. This makes the 3030i 62% heavier than the A120.
Here is a comparison of how 3030i and A120'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 3030i?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 3030i:
- 2 x 3030i bookshelf speakers
- 2 x Speaker Grilles
- 2 x Foam Bungs
- 1 x User Manual
What's in the Box of JBL A120?
Here are the items that come with the A120:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 2 Foam plugs
- 4 Brackets
- 8 Rubber feet
- 8 Screws (M6 x 8mm)
- Owner-feets Manual
- Warranty Card
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
75 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
30k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
 Height |
286mm
vs
325mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
325cm2
vs
658cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
250USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Q Acoustics 3030i |
JBL Stage A120 |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-75 watts |
20-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
46-30k Hz |
60-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
4.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Coated paper |
Polycellulose |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
decoupled |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2400Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
325.0mm (12.8") |
286.0mm (11.3") |
| Width |
200.0mm (7.9") |
172.0mm (6.8") |
| Depth |
329.0mm (13") |
189.0mm (7.4") |
| Weight |
6.20kg (13.6lbs) |
3.82kg (8.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF, Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, Black, White |
Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
Keyholes w/ bracket |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
26-28" |
| 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 - Q Acoustics 3030i costs roughly 2x what JBL A120 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 | A | Q Acoustics 3030i digs deeper - 46Hz against 60Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Q Acoustics 3030i is more sensitive (88dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | JBL A120 takes more power (125W vs 75W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | JBL A120 is easier to place; Q Acoustics 3030i is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. JBL A120 sits in a wider range (10 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | JBL A120 is cheaper - $250 against $499, about 50% less; arguably a different class. |
A Q Acoustics 3030i B JBL A120
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?
Q Acoustics 3030i is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 100% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - JBL A120 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Q Acoustics 3030i 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 JBL A120 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Q Acoustics 3030i the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and JBL A120 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.