In this review, we will be comparing 3050i and Q Acoustics 5050, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by Q Acoustics
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Q Acoustics 3050i and Q Acoustics 5050 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Q Acoustics 3050i Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 0.9" decoupled Tweeter
- 2 x 6.5" Coated paper Woofer
- 44-30k Hz Frequency Response
- 91 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:50-165watts
- Weight:17.80kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 1020.0" x 12.2" x 12.6"( 1020 x 310 x 320 mm )
Q Acoustics 5050 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Soft-dome Tweeter
- 2 x 6" Continuous Curved Cone Woofer
- 39-30k Hz Frequency Response
- 91.5 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:25-175watts
- Weight:21.60kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 1017.0" x 15.2" x 13.2"( 1017 x 366 x 336 mm )
What size room are the Q Acoustics 3050i and Q Acoustics 5050 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 3050i |
Q Acoustics 5050 |
| 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 3050i and Q Acoustics 5050 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 3050i and Q Acoustics 5050 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Q Acoustics 3050i |
Q Acoustics 5050 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.9-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 6-inch
|
3050i features a 0.9" decoupled Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Coated paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500 Hz. On the other hand, the Q Acoustics 5050 features a 1" Soft-dome Tweeter and 2 x 6" Continuous Curved Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700 Hz.
Frequency Response
3050i has a frequency range of 44-30k Hz whereas Q Acoustics 5050 has a frequency range of 39-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 37Hz, the Q Acoustics 5050 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 3050i's min frequency of 44Hz.
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
High Frequency
Floor-standing 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
3050i and Q Acoustics 5050 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 3050i sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the Q Acoustics 5050's is at 91.5 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Q Acoustics 5050 a more sensitive speaker compared to Q Acoustics 3050i, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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.
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
3050i features Binding post type posts and Q Acoustics 5050 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Q Acoustics 5050's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 3050i and Q Acoustics 5050 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 3050i's and Q Acoustics 5050's external dimensions. Q Acoustics 3050i has external dimensions of 1020 x 310 x 320 mm ( 40.2 x 12.2 x 12.6 in) whereas Q Acoustics 5050 has external dimensions of 1017 x 366 x 336 mm ( 40.0 x 15.2 x 13.2 in) .
Q Acoustics 3050i is 56mm narrower and 16mm less deeper than Q Acoustics 5050 but it is also 3mm taller.
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 3050i is approximately 992.0cm2 / 153.8inch2 and base area of the Q Acoustics 5050 is approximately 1229.8cm2 / 190.6inch2. The 3050i requires 19% less surface area than the Q Acoustics 5050 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 3050i weighs 17.80kg / 39.2lbs and the Q Acoustics 5050 weighs 21.60kg / 47.5lbs. This makes the Q Acoustics 5050 21% heavier than the 3050i.
Here is a comparison of how 3050i and Q Acoustics 5050's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of Q Acoustics 3050i?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 3050i:
1x 3050i loudspeaker1x Owners manual 2x Foam bung4x Spike feet 4x Spike cover 4x M5 screw 2x Rear stabiliser
What's in the Box of Q Acoustics 5050?
Here are the items that come with the Q Acoustics 5050:
1x 5050 loudspeaker1x Owners manual 2x Foam bung4x Spike feet 4x Spike cover 4x M5 screw 2x Rear stabiliser
 Minimum Impedance |
4 ohms
vs
3.6 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Base Surface Area |
992cm2
vs
1229cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
999USD
vs
1999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
91 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Low Frequency Response |
37 Hz
vs
44 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
1017mm
vs
1020mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Q Acoustics 3050i |
Q Acoustics 5050 |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
Q Acoustics |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
50-165 watts |
25-175 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
91.5 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
3.6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
44-30k Hz |
39-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
Coated paper |
Continuous Curved Cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.9" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
decoupled |
Soft-dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2500 Hz |
2700 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1020.0mm (40.2") |
1017.0mm (40") |
| Width |
310.0mm (12.2") |
366.0mm (14.4") |
| Depth |
320.0mm (12.6") |
336.0mm (13.2") |
| Weight |
17.80kg (39.2lbs) |
21.60kg (47.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF |
MDF |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, Black, White, Grey |
Holme Oak,Satin Black,Satin White,Santos Rosewood |
| 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 |