What you really need to know about Q Acoustics’ upgraded 3000i series speakers
Q Acoustics makes some of the best and most reasonably priced speakers around, and one of our favourite product lines just got a massive upgrade. Here’s what you really need to know about the Q Acoustics 3000i update.
The Q Acoustics 3000i series loudspeakers are revamped version of the 3000 series, which we loved so much we gave them the rare Trusted Reviews 10/10 score – an and award. (Read our Q Acoustics 3000 series 5.1 cinema pack review.)
But accolades don’t seem to stop Q Acoustics from tinkering, and they habitually refresh older products using elements of their flagship speakers. In this case, the £4000 Concept 500 speakers lend certain traits to a speaker range a fraction of the price:
- Q Acoustics 3010i (bookshelf) – £199 / $249 / €249
- Q Acoustics 3020i (bookshelf) – £249 / $299 / €299
- Q Acoustics 3050i (floor-stander) – £649 / $799 / €799
- Q Acoustics 3060Si (subwoofer) – £329 / $399 / €399
- Q Acoustics 3090Ci (centre) – £169 / $199 / €199
What’s new? The bookshelf models are taller and 25% deeper – they should have a more extended and powerful bass than their predecessors.
The Q Acoustics 3050i floorstanders feature Helmholtz Pressure Equaliser tubes, which aim to reduce internal pressure – this aims to maintain a transparent soundstage, traditionally a challenge for large-volume speakers.
The entire range uses the point-to-point internal bracing found in the Concept 500 speakers, which massively ramps up internal rigidity. This reduces structural vibrations that cause distortion, which should lead to a clearer, more accurate sound.
There is also a more premium unibody design – the front baffle is gone and the speaker terminals go straight through the MDF cabinet. Oh, and there are now chrome trimmings.
The speakers are available on their own, or lumped together in cinema packs: the Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1i (£895 / €1,095) and the Q Acoustics 3050i 5.1 (£1,345 / €1,645). Finishes come in Graphite Grey, English Walnut, Carbon Black or Arctic White, and for once there is no price difference between them.
The entire Q Acoustics 3000i series will be available in May 2018.
Let us know what you think of the Q Acoustics 3000i series by tweeting us @TrustedReviews.