In this review, we will be comparing 3090Ci and 3090c, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Q Acoustics.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Q Acoustics 3090Ci and Q Acoustics 3090c first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Q Acoustics 3090Ci | Q Acoustics 3090c |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-dome | 0.9" Soft-dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4" Coated paper | 2 x 4" Coated paper |
|---|
| Frequency response | 75-30k Hz | 68-30k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 92 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-100 watts | 25-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.00kg / 13.2lbs | 6.50kg / 14.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6" x 16.9" x 8.5"
153 x 430 x 216 mm | 6.3" x 16.9" x 8.5"
159 x 430 x 216 mm |
|---|
What size room are the Q Acoustics 3090Ci and Q Acoustics 3090c 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 3090Ci |
Q Acoustics 3090c |
| Near-field |
Average |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
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 3090Ci and 3090c are 2-way speakers.
Q Acoustics 3090CiQ Acoustics 3090c
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 3090Ci |
Q Acoustics 3090c |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
0.9-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4-inch
|
2 x 4-inch
|
3090Ci features a 1" Soft-dome Tweeter and 2 x 4" Coated paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700 Hz. On the other hand, the 3090c features a 0.9" Soft-dome Tweeter and 2 x 4" Coated paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2900 Hz.
Frequency Response
3090Ci has a frequency range of 75-30k Hz whereas 3090c has a frequency range of 68-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 68Hz, the 3090c can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 3090Ci's min frequency of 75Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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
3090Ci and 3090c have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 3090Ci sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the 3090c's is at 92 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Q Acoustics 3090c a more sensitive speaker compared to Q Acoustics 3090Ci, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
3090c can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas 3090Ci has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the 3090c.
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
3090Ci features Binding post type posts and 3090c has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Q Acoustics 3090Ci's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 3090Ci and 3090c 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 3090Ci's and Q Acoustics 3090c's external dimensions. Q Acoustics 3090Ci has external dimensions of 153 x 430 x 216 mm (6 x 16.9 x 8.5 in) whereas Q Acoustics 3090c has external dimensions of 159 x 430 x 216 mm (6.3 x 16.9 x 8.5 in).
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 3090Ci is approximately 928.8cm2 / 144.0inch2 and base area of the Q Acoustics 3090c is approximately 928.8cm2 / 144.0inch2.
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 3090Ci weighs 6.00kg / 13.2lbs and the Q Acoustics 3090c weighs 6.50kg / 14.3lbs. This makes the 3090c 8% heavier than the 3090Ci.
Here is a comparison of how 3090Ci and 3090c's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of Q Acoustics 3090Ci?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 3090Ci:
- 1x 3090ci loudspeaker
- 1x Owners manual
- 2x Foam bung
What's in the Box of Q Acoustics 3090c?
Here are the items that come with the 3090c:
- 1x 3090c loudspeaker
- 1x Owners manual
- 2x Foam bung
 Minimum Impedance |
4 ohms
vs
3.7 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Height |
153mm
vs
159mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
289USD
vs
399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
68 Hz
vs
75 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Q Acoustics 3090Ci |
Q Acoustics 3090c |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
Q Acoustics |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
25-100 watts |
25-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
92 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
3.7 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
75-30k Hz |
68-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
Coated paper |
Coated paper |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
0.9" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-dome |
Soft-dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2700 Hz |
2900 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
153.0mm (6") |
159.0mm (6.3") |
| Width |
430.0mm (16.9") |
430.0mm (16.9") |
| Depth |
216.0mm (8.5") |
216.0mm (8.5") |
| Weight |
6.00kg (13.2lbs) |
6.50kg (14.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF |
MDF |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, Black, White, Oak |
Walnut, Black, White, Oak |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years |
5 years |
| Labor Warranty |
4 Years |
4 Years |
A generation apart: Q Acoustics 3090c is the newer design, against a 2018 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 |
Q Acoustics 3090c digs deeper - 68Hz against 75Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
Q Acoustics 3090c is more sensitive (92dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
evenly matched |
Similar power handling (100W vs 120W). |
| Size |
depends |
Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Price |
A |
Q Acoustics 3090Ci is cheaper - $289 against $399, about 28% less. |
A Q Acoustics 3090Ci
B Q Acoustics 3090c
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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?
The usual trade-off: Q Acoustics 3090c measures better, Q Acoustics 3090Ci costs about 28% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 75Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Q Acoustics 3090Ci much easier to justify. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Q Acoustics 3090c 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.