The Article
3050i Floorstanders From Q Acoustics
19th March 2019
Offered at an attractive price, Q Acoustics has released a set of enhanced floorstanding models. Paul Rigby reviews the 3050i speakers
Yes, floorstanding speakers take up space and can be an eyesore to some but their sonic benefits are tempting indeed. Well-designed floorstanders, as opposed to standmounts with a bit of cabinet stuck underneath can, of course, be a boon for those users looking for enhanced lower frequencies but they can also be perfect for those with a great sounding, yet low powered amplifier. These speakers have a 91db sensitivity, for example. Ideal for a relatively low powered valve integrated, if you wish to be adventurous. They can also provide a truly balanced performance that can be attractive and addictive.
To that effect, Q Acoustics hope to have you hooked to your music collection through their 3050i speakers.
Sporting two, coated paper, mid/bass units of 165mm, finished with newly developed, low-hysteresis, rubber surrounds and a soft dome, decoupled 22mm treble unit, the speakers include HPE (Helmholtz Pressure Equalizer) technology designed to, “…convert pressure to velocity and reduce the overall pressure gradient within the speaker enclosure…” said the company. “This technology is perfect for taller loudspeakers that tend to resonate at a single favoured frequency.”
You’ll find enhanced design features over the earlier 3050 model such as extra work on the cabinet in terms of extra bracing, infusing the cabinet with strength. While we’re on the subject of meat, the cabinet baffle has also been bolstered to provide a better foundation for the drivers on the front.
Arriving in Graphite grey, English Walnut, Carbon black or Arctic white with a chrome bezel that frames the drivers to provide visual highlights, the whole lot can be covered, if you wish, by magnetically attached grills. I removed mine for the sound tests.
The speakers use “low profile” binding posts that accept 4mm Banana Plugs. The idea behind that was to avoid terminal cut outs to improve cabinet structural integrity. They worked very well.
Spanning 310 x 1020 x 310mm, each speaker weighs in at 17.8kg.
SOUND QUALITY
I began with vinyl and Public Image Ltd’s This is What you Want…This is What You Get LP (1984) and the track, Bad Life.
First impression from the 3050i speakers was that the sound, in its broadest sense, was impressive. In terms of its overall sonic flavour and how high energy, dynamic music hits you. The music was presented in a big, bold and grand fashion.
Now, with any pair of speakers, you start talking like that and what normally follows is a concurrent lack of finesse but not here. The 3050i speakers provided plenty of that too. Hence, there was a delicate balance with, on one hand, lower frequency strength and, on the other, detail from the upper mids.
Let’s begin with the deep stuff. Bass was big, it was powerful and it delivered with heft but it never swamped the soundstage. Yes, there was punch and mass but it knew its place. It never threatened to invade the space allocated to the midrange. Hence, any air produced by the midrange was allowed to flow, the bass didn’t swamp or mask any of the more fragile aspects of the presentation. It merely sat alongside.
Treble and midrange detail was heard in abundance with subtle sax effects easily tracked amongst the percussion and bass guitar. The measure of midrange insight meant that you always felt in touch with the subtle details, even in a raucous track such as this.
But I wanted to investigate the upper frequencies further, so I loaded a Bing Crosby CD and Let A Smile be Your Umbrella on the album Bing With a Beat (Bluebird).
The beginning of this track begins with a busy series of percussive taps in which everything but drums are hit: the rims of drums, cymbal stands perhaps, coffee pots and flower vases maybe? Whatever they were, they were short and sharp tonal responses from the drum sticks. Oh and Crosby’s voice too. The Q Acoustics handled the lot with aplomb. And this is the thing about the 3050i speakers. Here I am going on about the bass in the text above but here, there was no hint that the upright bass, when it decided to join in, was being pushed forward in the mix, no sign that the lower frequencies were taking control. No, once more, balance reigned with each frequency type maintaining its true position, allowing the soundstage to sound measured and even in tone.
Hence, the percussion had plenty of space to maintain a delicacy during its initial tapping fest with treble in fine evidence while the contrasting Crosby baritone, full of delicate nuances and tiny degrees of emphasis here and there, provided a neat reflection of rough texture that gave the early part of the song a delightful relief.
As the rest of the jazz band launched into the track, I was happy to see enough instrumental separation that allowed even subtle elements of the music to ease through without any apparent effort. Hence the piano, which sat at the back of the mix, took full part of the song. Adding a sense of clarity but also richness to the output.
CONCLUSION
Q Acoustics should be congratulated for providing so many sonic goodies for the price here. The combination of midrange transparency and bass strength is pretty irresistible while all genres of music are treated with a sense of respect by these speakers. They never impose themselves upon the soundstage, they just allow the strengths of that piece of music to venture forth in a natural manner.
The Q Acoustics 3050i speakers look good, they sound good and, by golly, the price is good too. What more could you ask for?
Q ACOUSTIC 3050i FLOORSTANDING SPEAKERS
Price: £649
Tel: 01279 501111
Website: www.qacoustics.co.uk
TO BUY CLICK BELOW:
USA – https://amzn.to/3jKpXk0
EUROPE – https://amzn.to/35ZPxwm
GOOD: airy mids, crafted bass, detail, aesthetics, value for money
BAD: none
RATING: 8
Don’t forget to check out my Facebook Group, The Audiophile Man: Hi-Fi & Music here: www.facebook.com/groups/theaudiophileman for exclusive postings, exclusive editorial and more!]
REFERENCE
Pro-Ject RPM3 turntable
Spendor A1 speakers
Tellurium Q cables
Blue Horizon Professional Rack System
Harmonic Resolution Systems Noise Reduction Components
All vinyl was cleaned using an Audio Desk’s Ultrasonic Pro Vinyl Cleaner
Nice review Paul, big fan of q acoustics how do you think they compare to the concept 20s?
Thanks Eric – I’d say that these are superior to the 20s.
Greta review, why only 8/10?üòú
Hi Umberto – please check out the explanation of my ratings system here: https://theaudiophileman.com/reviews-explained/
As you can see, my ‘8’ is the same as a full mark, award-type rating you might see in a magazine. So, these speakers are receiving their due in terms of praise. It’s just that, when I started this site, I didn’t want to be cornered, I wanted elbow room 🙂 As you can see via the explanation in the link.
Hi Paul. I’ve had a pair of these speakers since I upgraded from Rega R1s last year and I’m very pleased with them. I’m tentatively looking to upgrade my amp from Marantz PM6005 and I’m quite impressed by the reviews of the Audiolab 6000A. Any idea how well it would pair with these speakers? My opportunity to audition the setup before buying is very limited so I’d appreciate your opinion.
Thanks. Paul
Hi Paul – many thanks for your question. Yep, the 6000a would match very nicely with these speakers. I’d say to go for it! 🙂
Hi again Paul. Good to see you have reviewed these, which I am considering to pair with an integrated amplifier and streamer. I am still doubting with the Dali Oberon 5 (which are a bit ahead in design I would say, and although it should not be the main argument it plays a role) and the Dynaudio Emit M30 which I found for a quite reasonable price in my town. The 3050 are still the best priced though. Any idea how they rate compared to those two others?
Hi Jonas – I wouldn’t compare them to the Dynaudios because the latter are twice the price. Different ball game, I reckon. I would say that the Q Acustics are better balanced in tonal terms but the Dalis are excellent and offer great detail. I would try and grab a demo because you own ears will be the deciding factor.
Hi Paul, what would your be your take between the Dali Oberon 5 vs QA acoustics 3050s paired with a Yamaha Rn-602?? I listen in a 25 sq meters room.. Momentarily to a MA Bronze 2 speakers that I’m are very tiresome with ..bleeding to my ears, bright, not balanced enough….and so on, that I want to replace !!! Thank you! Both speakers are having tremendous huge discounts this week in Romania… Which one would you choose for this specific situation???? Thanks!!… I know I’ve already bothered you enough, but anything added is very much welcomed and appreciated. Thank you… And sorry
Hi ionut – here’s my take on the 3050i speakers: https://theaudiophileman.com/3050i-floorstander-review-q-acoustics/
I can’t compare them directly to the Dalis because I have yet to properly review them so take my views with a pinch of salt. I’ve heard the Dalis on a casual-only basis and they seen to extract a lot of detail, if not bass.
Thanks
Another excellent review, Paul. It helped me make my decision to recently purchase a set of these for myself.
Just confirming, did you use the Rega Brio in this review? I hear alot of praise regarding the Brio.
I am looking to upgrade from an old and relatively low end AVR to a proper 2 channel amp for my 3050i’s which is in an open plan living area (main entertainment area is about 3.5 metres by 5.5 metres).
I haven’t had a change to audition anything yet, but my shortlist (within my budget) so far is:
– Audiolab 6000a
– Cambridge Audio CXA60
– Rega Brio
How would you rank these in terms of which would likely be the best pairing for the Q acoustics 3050i’s (also in a room of that general size)?
Also, just out of curiosity, i note that all these amps have similar power ratings, however have you found that any of these particular amps seems to have a bit more headroom than the others and can be driven louder before hardness starts to creep in?
Many Thanks!
Hi Jay – yes, I used the Brio but the Audiolab would do a great job too. I’d go with the latter because of how the Audiolab balances tonality and how well it integrates bass. The Audiolab should have the muscle too.
Hi Paul, thanks so much for your response. The audiolab is now much higher on my list. The added in built digital connectivity adds to its appeal for me (over the rega for example). Been doing a bit of research on the Audiolab and it appears to very well regarded (btw i enjoyed the youtube version of tge review as well).
Out of interest I was checking out some of your other reviews earlier and came across your cyrus one article from 2016. How well do you think the Cyrus would pair to 3050i speakers ? How does the Cyrus One compare sonically with the Audiolab 6000a? Would your money still be on the Audiolab being the better match for the 3050i?
Thanks again.
Hi Jay – I like the One very much. It’s right up there in performance terms. If pushed, I’d probably still plump for the Audiolab but if you like the look of the One, you won’t be disappointed.
Hi again Paul. Just an update that i picked up an audiolab 6000a a few days back. Its definitely a nice sounding amplifier and i think that you describe its qualities perfectly in your review.
Just had a question though. So far i am finding that i am not getting a great deal of sparkle or a little bit of snap from the top end. There is some high end but feel like i need to listen carefully to hear/feel it (lacking that emphasis and crispness). Does this sound right given the combination of the Audiolab and the 3050i add speakers?
Any suggestions on how i can improve this? I have had my speakers for just over a month now so would say that they would have well over 50 hours playing time. I don’t know if its relevant but i have some general entry level speaker cable ( had this from a previous AVR setup) . Is that the bottleneck? The audiolab has had a few days use including leaving it on a couple days during the day with the volume turned to minimum (i read about burn in).
I am wondering whether the cyrus one may have been the better option or even the rega brio. I recall the cyrus for example definitely had alot of muscle and snap to the sound. In saying that the audiolab also has its own appealing qualities (very clear and refined sound).
Curious to hear your thoughts on this.
I should note that i have the option of returning the audiolab (though needs to be in next few days) and then buying an amp such as the cyrus one or the rega brio elsewhere.
Slightly confused as what to do next so would appreciate any advice on this. Cheers.
Hi Jay – quality speaker cables would be a big help, yes. Depends on your budget. Remind me, what source are you using please?
Hello Jay. Please excuse me for intervening, but I am considering pairing Q Acoustics 3050i with my Audiolab 6000a. Have you resolved your issue? I read elsewhere that the fact that the 3050i tweeter is located between the drivers as opposed to being on top of the latter does not help as the alignment with respect to your ears is different. Stupid question, but have you tried to lower your listening position to see if it makes a difference or not? Thanks.
Hello Paul.
Apologies for the delay in replying. My source is all streaming (tidal), either from macbook or bluesound node 2i.
Thanks
In terms of tackling the sound, the cables are a prime target. Do you have a budget figure in mind? Does the treble issue change at all when moving from Mac to the 2i? Yes, both the Rega and Cyrus would have leant more emphasis on the upper frequencies. Everyone has different ears and sonic bias that looks for different things in terms of music so, sure, its possible that they might be better options for you. For now, though, let’s try the cable, if you have time. You’ll need better cables anyhow.
Bonjour Mr Rigby,Voici mon systeme L’ampli Ampli Audiolab 6000 A- CD Marantz 6006- Enceintes Qacoustics 3050
Quel cable de Modulation et cable haut-parleur me conseillez vous de procurer svp merci.
Pause Christine.
Salut Christine.
Merci pour ta question. Quel est votre budget pour l’achat de c√¢ble propos√©?