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Q Acoustics 3050c vs Klipsch RP-280F Comparison

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Q Acoustics 3050c

Passive Floor-standing | 42-30k Hz

Q Acoustics 3050c
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Klipsch RP-280F

Passive Floor-standing | 32-25k Hz

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-280F
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Q Acoustics 3050c Q Acoustics 3050c
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Klipsch RP-280F Klipsch RP-280F
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Q Acoustics 3050c
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Klipsch RP-280F
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Q Acoustics 3050c vs Klipsch RP-280F Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing 3050c and RP-280F, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Q Acoustics and Klipsch.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Q Acoustics 3050c and Klipsch RP-280F first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Q Acoustics 3050c Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 0.9" decoupled Tweeter
  • 2 x 5.5" Coated paper Woofer
  • 42-30k Hz Frequency Response
  • 90 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 6ohms
  • Power Range:25-150watts
  • Weight:17.80kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 1020.0" x 12.4" x 12.4"( 1020 x 315 x 316 mm )

Klipsch RP-280F Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter
  • 2 x 8" Cerametallic Woofer
  • 32-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 98 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:up to 150watts
  • Weight:28.41kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 1094.0" x 10-9/16" x 17-3/8"( 1094.0 x 269.0 x 442.0mm )

What size room are the Q Acoustics 3050c and Klipsch RP-280F 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 3050c Klipsch RP-280F
Near-field Bad Bad
Small Room Poor Poor
Mid-size Room Good Good
Large Room Good Good
Very Large Room Poor 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 3050c and Klipsch RP-280F compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both 3050c and RP-280F are 2-way speakers.

Driver Q Acoustics 3050c Klipsch RP-280F
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 0.9-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 2 x 5.5-inch 2 x 8-inch

3050c features a 0.9" decoupled Tweeter and 2 x 5.5" Coated paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2400 Hz. On the other hand, the RP-280F features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 2 x 8" Cerametallic Woofer .

Frequency Response

3050c has a frequency range of 42-30k Hz whereas RP-280F has a frequency range of 32-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 32Hz, the RP-280F can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 3050c's min frequency of 42Hz.

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 Floor-standing class in our database.

Low Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

3050c
RP-280F
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

Q Acoustics 3050c
Klipsch RP-280F
Min
Average
Max

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

3050c is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the RP-280F which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. 3050c sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the RP-280F's is rated at 98 dB. This 8 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-280F a more sensitive speaker compared to Q Acoustics 3050c, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Floor-standing Speakers

3050c
RP-280F
Min
Average
Max

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.

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

RP-280F features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. 3050c has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Klipsch RP-280FBinding post Terminals
Klipsch RP-280F's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both 3050c and RP-280F 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 3050c's and Klipsch RP-280F's external dimensions. Q Acoustics 3050c has external dimensions of 1020 x 315 x 316 mm ( 40.2 x 12.4 x 12.4 in) whereas Klipsch RP-280F has external dimensions of 1094.0 x 269.0 x 442.0mm ( 43-1/16 x 10-9/16 x 17-3/8inch) .

Q Acoustics 3050c is 74mm shorter and 126mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-280F but it is also 46mm wider.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Q Acoustics 3050c and Klipsch RP-280F in scale.

Q Acoustics 3050c vs Klipsch RP-280F Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Q Acoustics 3050c and Klipsch RP-280F 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 3050c is approximately 995.4cm2 / 154.3inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-280F is approximately 1189.0cm2 / 184.3inch2. The 3050c requires 16% less surface area than the RP-280F which gives it a small advantage 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 3050c weighs 17.80kg / 39.2lbs and the Klipsch RP-280F weighs 28.41kg / 62.5lbs. This makes the RP-280F 60% heavier than the 3050c.

Here is a comparison of how 3050c and RP-280F's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.

Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
Q Acoustics 3050c
Klipsch RP-280F
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Q Acoustics 3050c?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of 3050c:
  • 1x 3050c loudspeaker
  • 1x Owners manual
  • 2x Foam bung
  • 4x Spike feet
  • 4x Spike cover
  • 4x M5 screw
  • 2x Rear stabiliser
  • What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-280F?

    Here are the items that come with the RP-280F:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker (Ebony)
  • Speaker base
  • Detachable magnetic grille
  • Four 1-inch #6 Wood screws
  • 4 Spike feet
  • 6 Rubber feet
  • User Manual
  • Warranty Information
  • Important Safety Instructions

  • Reasons to choose Q Acoustics 3050c over Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-280F
    High Frequency Response 30k Hz vs 25k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 1020mm vs 1094mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 995cm2 vs 1189cm2 Takes less floor space

    Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-280F over Q Acoustics 3050c

    Sensitivity 98 dB vs 90 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 6 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    Woofer Size 8 inches vs 5.5 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 32 Hz vs 42 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring Yes vs No Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections
    Price per pair* 1198USD vs 1199USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    Q Acoustics 3050c vs Klipsch RP-280F Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Q Acoustics 3050c Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-280F
    Brand Q Acoustics Klipsch
    Speaker Type Floor-standing speaker Floor-standing speaker
    Power Range 25-150 watts up to 150 watts
    Sensitivity 90 dB 98 dB
    Impedance 6 ohms 8 ohms
    Impedance 3.8 ohms n/a
    Frequency Response 42-30k Hz 32-25k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 2
    Woofer Size 5.5" 8"
    Woofer Composition Coated paper Cerametallic
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 0.9" 1"
    Tweeter Type decoupled Tractrix Horn
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency 2400 Hz n/a
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 1020.0mm (40.2") 1094.0mm (43.1")
    Width 315.0mm (12.4") 269.0mm (10.6")
    Depth 316.0mm (12.4") 442.0mm (17.4")
    Weight 17.80kg (39.2lbs) 28.41kg (62.5lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF MDF/Wood-grain vinyl
    Available Colors Walnut, Black, White, Oak Walnut, Black
    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

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