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Q Acoustics 3090c vs Q Acoustics 3020c Comparison

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Q Acoustics 3090c

Passive Center Channel | 68-30k Hz

Q Acoustics 3090c
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Q Acoustics 3020c

Passive Bookshelf | 60-30k Hz

Q Acoustics 3020c
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Q Acoustics 3090c Q Acoustics 3090c
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Q Acoustics 3020c Q Acoustics 3020c
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Q Acoustics 3090c
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Q Acoustics 3020c
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Q Acoustics 3090c vs Q Acoustics 3020c Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by Q Acoustics. Q Acoustics 3090c is a Center Channel speaker whereas the 3020c is a Bookshelf speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Q Acoustics 3090c and Q Acoustics 3020c first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Q Acoustics 3090c Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 0.9" Soft-dome Tweeter
  • 2 x 4" Coated paper Woofer
  • 68-30k Hz Frequency Response
  • 92 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 6ohms
  • Power Range:25-120watts
  • Weight:6.50kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 159.0" x 16.9" x 8.5"( 159 x 430 x 216 mm )

Q Acoustics 3020c Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 0.9" decoupled Tweeter
  • 4.74" Coated paper Woofer
  • 60-30k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 6ohms
  • Power Range:25-90watts
  • Weight:5.50kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 279.0" x 6.9" x 11.1"( 279 x 175 x 281 mm )

3090c and 3020c are members of Q Acoustics's 3000c series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

Q Acoustics 3000c Series History
Model Body Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
Q Acoustics 3050c
  
Floor-standing 42-30k Hz 90 dB6Ω 2 x 5.5"
Q Acoustics 3010c
  
Bookshelf 60-30k Hz 85 dB6Ω 1 x 4"
Q Acoustics 3030c
  
Bookshelf 48-30k Hz 86.5 dB6Ω 1 x 5.5"
Q Acoustics 3020c
Bookshelf 60-30k Hz 87 dB6Ω 1 x 4.74"
Q Acoustics 3090c
Center Channel 68-30k Hz 92 dB6Ω 2 x 4"

What size room are the Q Acoustics 3090c and Q Acoustics 3020c 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 3090c Q Acoustics 3020c
Near-field Average Good
Small Room Good Good
Mid-size Room Average Average
Large Room Poor Poor
Very Large Room Bad No way

(* 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 3090c and Q Acoustics 3020c 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 3090c and 3020c are 2-way speakers.

Driver Q Acoustics 3090c Q Acoustics 3020c
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 0.9-inch 0.9-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 2 x 4-inch 1 x 4.74-inch

3090c features a 0.9" Soft-dome Tweeter and 2 x 4" Coated paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2900 Hz. On the other hand, the 3020c features a 0.9" decoupled Tweeter and 1 x 4.74" Coated paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2600Hz.

Frequency Response

3090c has a frequency range of 68-30k Hz whereas 3020c has a frequency range of 60-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 60Hz, the 3020c can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 3090c's min frequency of 68Hz.

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 Center Channel class in our database.

Low Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

3090c
3020c
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

Q Acoustics 3090c
Q Acoustics 3020c
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

3090c and 3020c have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 3090c sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the 3020c's is at 87 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Q Acoustics 3090c a more sensitive speaker compared to Q Acoustics 3020c, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Center Channel Speakers

3090c
3020c
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.

3090c can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas 3020c has a max power handling value of 90 watts RMS, 30 watts less than the 3090c.

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

3090c features Binding post type posts and 3020c has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both 3090c and 3020c 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 3090c's and Q Acoustics 3020c's external dimensions. Q Acoustics 3090c has external dimensions of 159 x 430 x 216 mm ( 6.3 x 16.9 x 8.5 in) whereas Q Acoustics 3020c has external dimensions of 279 x 175 x 281 mm ( 11.0 x 6.9 x 11.1 in) .

Q Acoustics 3090c is 120mm shorter and 65mm less deeper than Q Acoustics 3020c but it is also 255mm wider.

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 3090c is approximately 928.8cm2 / 144.0inch2 and base area of the Q Acoustics 3020c is approximately 491.8cm2 / 76.2inch2. The 3090c requires 89% more surface area than the 3020c which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.

What's in the Box of Q Acoustics 3090c?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of 3090c:
  • 1x 3090c loudspeaker
  • 1x Owners manual
  • 2x Foam bung
  • What's in the Box of Q Acoustics 3020c?

    Here are the items that come with the 3020c:
  • 2 x 3020c bookshelf speakers
  • 2 x Foam Bungs
  • 2 x Speaker Grilles
  • 1 x User Manual
  • 1 x Handling Gloves
  • 8 x Rubber Speaker Grips

  • Reasons to choose Q Acoustics 3090c over Q Acoustics 3020c
    Max Input Power 120 watts vs 90 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Sensitivity 92 dB vs 87 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
    Height 159mm vs 279mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Price per pair* 399USD vs 549USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose Q Acoustics 3020c over Q Acoustics 3090c

    Woofer Size 4.74 inches vs 4 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 60 Hz vs 68 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Base Surface Area 491cm2 vs 928cm2 Takes less floor space
    Q Acoustics 3090c vs Q Acoustics 3020c Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Q Acoustics 3090c Q Acoustics 3020c
    Brand Q Acoustics Q Acoustics
    Speaker Type Center channel speaker Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 25-120 watts 25-90 watts
    Sensitivity 92 dB 87 dB
    Impedance 6 ohms 6 ohms
    Impedance 3.7 ohms 3.7 ohms
    Frequency Response 68-30k Hz 60-30k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 1
    Woofer Size 4" 4.74"
    Woofer Composition Coated paper Coated paper
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 0.9" 0.9"
    Tweeter Type Soft-dome decoupled
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency 2900 Hz 2600Hz
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 159.0mm (6.3") 279.0mm (11")
    Width 430.0mm (16.9") 175.0mm (6.9")
    Depth 216.0mm (8.5") 281.0mm (11.1")
    Weight 6.50kg (14.3lbs) 5.50kg (12.1lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF n/a
    Available Colors Walnut, Black, White, Oak Walnut, Black, White, Oak
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs No No
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 years 4 Years
    Labor Warranty 4 Years 4 Years

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