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
Hello,
have you had the opportunity to listen Wharfdale Linton’s 85 ?
Not yet but I have heard good reports.
Hi Paul! Hope you are well. How would you rate the Fyne Audio F303 compared to the 3050i?
I just purchased the Rega Brio and how would both these speakers pair with it?
I haven’t reviewed the Fyne speakers so please take these words with a certain pinch of salt. That said, when speaking to colleagues, I do hear about a slight bright edge to the treble. The 3050i speakers are quite balanced in comparison.
Hi Paul, I have the same question about the F303. I bought them when it was impossible to go for a listening session in a shop, and now I have doubts about mychoice based on recommendations. I’ev since been to a shop and listened to the 3050i that sounded terrific especially the soundstage. Mids and bass were great too, though I would say that they were maybe less dynamic and less direct and clean than the F303. Though, it was in an auditorium in the shop, the 3050i were properly installed and run out. The F303 sounded flat compared to them, but I think they were not run out properly (barely 15hrs).
Have you had the chance to listen to the F303? And if so, what are your favourite speakers?
Hi Oliver – I’m afraid that I haven’t had a chance to listen to the F303 speakers in a ‘formal’ setting, to give an opinion, as it where.
My favourite speakers of all time are Quad ESL-57s, with the One Thing panel mod added.
Hi,
Thanks for the review. How do these compare to the Q Acoustic Concept 40 speakers? Which would you say you would prefer or recommend for both music and movies, taking into account that a subwoofer would be paired with either? And which delivers the least cabinet resonance between the two? Thanks.
I haven’t compared the two so I can’t provide a definite answer on that I’m afraid, Frank. Both are excellent and highly regarded. If you’re unable to demo either/both would suggest looking for the better deal and going for that. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with either of them.
Okay, thanks Paul!
Hi Paul.
I’m looking at a pair of 3050i,s but am concerned about the amp I’ll use, a NAD3020. I know it’s a bit long in the tooth, but will this be a bit underpowered, even allowing for the room they’ll all be in is 15ft x 11?
They’ll be used at fairly low volume, (as working from home) but may consider moving into the lounge which is slightly bigger, at some stage.
If I’m needing an upgrade, budget will be about ¬£250-¬£300, so any recommendations, would be appreciated.
I reckon you’ll be ok, Steve.
Cheers Paul.
That’s what I thought, just needed reassurance before splashing the cash!
The NAD has ser ed me well and has so much sentimental value, be hard to say goodbye!
If it ain’t broke………..
Hi Paul
Nice review.
How would Q3050i pair with Yamaha RX V585 Receiver, for my 16*20 feet living room.
Regards
In techie terms, they should work well together, Hari.
Hi Paul. another quick question, owning a full Rega set : Brio amp Dac Apollo driving a pair of RS3 / getting a bit bored with the speakers (but might be just me wanting to spend money) and looking for change – the Q3050 and the Oberon 5 are both on my list but might still note be the grall as compared to my existing Rega’s.
Do you have an angle ? Would IYO any of those 2 represent an upgrade tio the RS3s ? thanks. Pierre
What’s your budget, Pierre?
Hi Paul. Thanks for reverting. Well I did not think of budget as my choice was contained with these 2 pairs … but since you asking 🙂 I’d be ready to spend up to ‚Ǩ 2k for any better candidate out there ! thanks in advance for your knowledgeable feedback. Cheers
So CD is your primary source?
I wanted to enjoy my 3050’s (not the I) with an AV system and also as a two channel and found the Beresford TC7220 which allows you to connect 2 amps to the same speakers. I now have a Sony AV amp for movies and a Rega iO fed by a Zen DAC and it sounds great. The 3050’s are so easy to drive that even in a reasonable size 25m2 room they are at 75db with the amp well below 1/4 power. You really don’t need a 75w amp!
Paul, not so much, I must say – I have a Rega RP1 that I wish I was using more and a BLUESOUND Node 2i streamer / the latter would be the primary source on a daily basis … Thx.
OK – I would have a think then. Rather than spend ¬£2k on speakers, I would upgrade your sources first. Then move down the chain and upgrade the speakers last.
OK thanks for the advice. I’ve been looking at the ATC sm11 /Harbeth p3 Esr but pointless if I don’t upgrade the sources and even the amp&dac if I understand correcty…
HI PAUL
great review !
i thinking to replace my pioneer a 40 ae that i am using with my 3050i
audiolab 600a or Cambridge cxa 61
what you think will fit better to 3050i .
and if there will be big improvement from pioneer ?
thanks shay
Hi shay, yes I think you’ll see an improvement. The 61 is a more focused and precise amp but I prefer the 6000A for its extra detail and incisive midrange. Try to grab a demo though because some people do prefer the 61’s sound.
Hi Paul,
thanks for the review and your excellent youtube channel.
I need to buy some new reasonably priced speakers to replace my ailing Royd Minstrels. My amp is a NAD C326BEE. Do you think the 3050i’s would pair nicely?
Currently using a Google chromecast audio/Topping e30/Tidal as the source.
Cheers from Australia,
Pete
Yep – sounds fine to me, Pete.