In this review, we will be comparing 3030i and Bronze 2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Q Acoustics and Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Q Acoustics 3030i and Monitor Audio Bronze 2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Q Acoustics 3030i | Monitor Audio Bronze 2 |
|---|
| Brand | Q Acoustics
United Kingdom · founded 2006 | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" decoupled | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Coated paper | 6.5" C-CAM |
|---|
| Frequency response | 46-30k Hz | 42-30k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-75 watts | 30-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.20kg / 13.6lbs | 5.30kg / 11.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12.7" x 7.8" x 12.9"
325.0 x 200.0 x 329.0mm | 13.7" x 7.2" x 11.0"
350.0 x 185.0 x 281.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Q Acoustics 3030i and Monitor Audio Bronze 2 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 |
Monitor Audio Bronze 2 |
| 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.
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through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both 3030i and Bronze 2 are 2-way speakers.
Q Acoustics 3030iMonitor Audio Bronze 2
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 |
Monitor Audio Bronze 2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-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 Bronze 2 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" C-CAM Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3100Hz.
Frequency Response
3030i has a frequency range of 46-30k Hz whereas Bronze 2 has a frequency range of 42-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the Bronze 2 can go slightly deeper then the 3030i's min frequency of 46Hz.
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 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the Bronze 2 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. 3030i sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Bronze 2's is rated at 90 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Bronze 2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Q Acoustics 3030i, 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.
Bronze 2 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas 3030i has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the Bronze 2.
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
Bronze 2 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. 3030i has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
3030i has a rear firing port whereas Bronze 2 has a front firing ports. Monitor Audio Bronze 2's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Q Acoustics 3030i with its rear-firing port.
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 Monitor Audio Bronze 2'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 Monitor Audio Bronze 2 has external dimensions of 350.0 x 185.0 x 281.0mm (13.7 x 7.2 x 11.0inch).
Monitor Audio Bronze 2 is 15mm narrower and 48mm less deeper than Q Acoustics 3030i but it is also 25mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Q Acoustics 3030i and Monitor Audio Bronze 2 in scale.
Comparison image of Q Acoustics 3030i and Monitor Audio Bronze 2 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 Monitor Audio Bronze 2 is approximately 519.9cm2 / 80.6inch2. The 3030i requires 27% more surface area than the Bronze 2 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 Monitor Audio Bronze 2 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 Monitor Audio Bronze 2 weighs 5.30kg / 11.7lbs. This makes the 3030i 17% heavier than the Bronze 2.
Here is a comparison of how 3030i and Bronze 2'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 Monitor Audio Bronze 2?
Here are the items that come with the Bronze 2:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 2 Foam port plugs
- Hex-key
- Owner's Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
 Height |
325mm
vs
350mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
75 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
42 Hz
vs
46 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Base Surface Area |
519cm2
vs
658cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
379USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Q Acoustics 3030i |
Monitor Audio Bronze 2 |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-75 watts |
30-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
46-30k Hz |
42-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Coated paper |
C-CAM |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
decoupled |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2400Hz |
3100Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
325.0mm (12.8") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
| Width |
200.0mm (7.9") |
185.0mm (7.3") |
| Depth |
329.0mm (13") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Weight |
6.20kg (13.6lbs) |
5.30kg (11.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, Black, White |
Walnut, White, Rosemah, Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
30-31" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
4 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
4 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Q Acoustics 3030i is the newer design, against a 2016 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 | Monitor Audio Bronze 2 digs deeper - 42Hz against 46Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Monitor Audio Bronze 2 is more sensitive (90dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Monitor Audio Bronze 2 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | B | Monitor Audio Bronze 2 takes more power (100W vs 75W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | B | Monitor Audio Bronze 2: bi-amping. Monitor Audio Bronze 2 sits in a wider range (11 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Monitor Audio Bronze 2 is cheaper - $379 against $499, about 24% less. |
A Q Acoustics 3030i B Monitor Audio Bronze 2
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?
Monitor Audio Bronze 2 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Q Acoustics 3030i if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. Match it to your room: we rate Q Acoustics 3030i the better fit for near-field listening; elsewhere the two are rated the same. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Monitor Audio Bronze 2 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.