Q Acoustics 3020i is the magnificent successor of 3010i, currently, both speakers have garnered rave reviews and even achieved 5 stars rating at What Hi-Fi? which is an incredible achievement for such an affordable bookshelf speaker. Q Acoustics 3020i is slightly more expensive than its predecessor 3010i, and in terms of sonic performance, it is better than the latter.
The 3020i are terrific entry-level speakers, not just because they are competitively priced but they are also the best speakers to have at their price range and even outperform some speakers that cost more than them. If you are on the lookout to find a matching amplifier for your Q Acoustics 3020i then look no further. We will be sharing with you the best amps you can go for and pair them with your 3020i after we have revealed their strengths and sound characteristics. These are important pieces of information needed in order to find the best matching amplifiers.
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Sound Characteristics and Strengths of Q Acoustics 3020i
The Q Acoustics 3020i has a 25% increased cabinet volume when compared to the older models, allowing them to deliver a larger scale of sound and reach deeper bass extension. The frequency response (+3 dB, -6 dB) of 64Hz – 30kHz and an increase in sensitivity of 88dB (2.83 Vrms@1 m) does show improvements over its predecessors. They seem to be quite a power-hungry speaker, as 3020i requires 50-75 Watts from an AV receiver (2 channels driven), but if you are using them as stereo speakers then the power requirement will be 25-75 Watts from a stereo amp. The nominal impedance is 6 Ohms (min. 4 Ohms) and with this amount of data, we can already start filtering the amplifiers which we can get.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics 3020i Bookshelf Speakers (Arctic White)
Q Acoustics 3020i are really compact bookshelf speakers even with the increase in cabinet size, they will still be great as desktop speakers but need to ensure there is breathing space around the speakers as the bass port is located at the back of the cabinet. If you really need to place them close to the walls, you can try using the provided foam bungs and plug them into the speaker ports, this will tame the bass. The speaker cabinet design looks minimalistic when you put the grill on, so is quite easy to blend them into home interiors. There are 4 color options to choose from, which makes it easy to pair them with amplifiers as well.
The soundstage is wide which is impressive for a speaker this size, and immediately we can notice the smooth sound quality it delivers. Q Acoustics 3020i is a pair of warm-sounding speakers, probably warmer sounding than its predecessor. They are rather energetic as well, and still quite insightful, able to reproduce plenty of details over the course of the music. Overall the sound quality is better than its predecessor 3010i and we will choose 3020i any day of the week.
As sweet-sounding as the Q Acoustics 3020i is, even with the upgraded sonic performance, they still lack the snappy timing and precision of a few other speakers. The bass is full-bodied and does lack a bit of texture. Probably 3020i requires an active subwoofer into the mix to really help it to shine. All in all, for music listening, it delivers a relaxing and rich experience, if you require more insight and transparency, you probably need to upgrade to Q Acoustics Concept 20. In a surround sound setup, you will most definitely need a subwoofer as these speakers are unable to provide you with the bass impact and deep rumbling of the thunder.
They are really enjoyable to listen to, and for the asking price, the 3020i are well worth the money and most certainly exceeded our expectations. If you decide to use them as surround speakers, they will definitely fulfill the role, added that you add in a subwoofer. With a sub supplementing the bass and setting the Q Acoustics 3020i to small speakers, they will probably open up, increasing the soundstage size and deliver richer surround sound effects. We tend to look at them as satellite type of speakers even though they are bookshelves, so to make sure we select the best matching amps with the right amount of power output.
Q Acoustics 3020i Specifications
- Speaker Type: 2-way reflex (rear port)
- Drive Units: Treble unit 0.9 inch (22mm), Bass unit 5 inch (125mm)
- Frequency Response (±3dB, -6 dB): 64Hz – 30kHz
- Stereo Amplifier Requirements: 25 – 75 Watts
- AV Receiver Requirements (2 channels driven): 50 – 75 Watts
- Nominal Impedance: 6 Ohms (min. 4 Ohms)
- Sensitivity (2.83 Vrms@1 m): 88dB
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 278mm x 170mm x 282mm (11.0″ x 6.7″ x 11.1″)
- Weight: 4.8kg (10.59lbs)
Best Amps to match with Q Acoustics 3020i
Peachtree Audio Nova 150 has more than enough power to drive Q Acoustics 3020i and the amplifier’s neutral sound quality does slightly tame the warmth of the speaker. Other notable features will be the integrated DAC which is convenient if you are planning to use 3020i as desktop speakers, and the Home Theater Bypass if you are planning to set up a home cinema system using the Q Acoustics 3020i as the main left and right speakers. Peachtree Audio Nova 150 also brings more transparency to the table which the speakers do lack. Will recommend that you have an audition with them and check out the sound quality.
More Information at Amazon – Peachtree Audio Nova 150 Amplifier
Cambridge Audio CXA61 will be another excellent amplifier choice for Q Acoustics 3020i as both of them have quite a similarity in sonic characteristics. The music delivery of CXA61 is energetic, provides excellent timing which complements the speaker. The soundstage is wider and deeper as well, the bass is more refined and taut. If you just want to enjoy listening to your favorite tunes via your 3020i speakers then the Cambridge Audio CXA61 is one of the best amps to pair them with.
More Info at Amazon – Cambridge Audio CXA61 Stereo Amplifier (Lunar Grey)
If you want every music experience to be smooth sailing with a dose of punchy dynamics, probably matching Q Acoustics 3020i with Rega Brio will be an ideal choice. Brio can be rhythmic when there’s a need to be, handling the music peaks with precision and agility. Like the 3020i, Rega Brio is an upgrade of its predecessor Brio-R, with better sonic performance and more approachable nature, more lenient when it comes to pairing with speakers. Rega Brio deserves an audition with your Q Acoustics 3020i, their agile and fun music presentation might probably win your heart.
More Info at Amazon – Rega Brio – Integrated Amp
The Onkyo A-9150 is an impressive integrated amplifier for its price point, capable of projecting a big soundstage, and has sharp stereo imaging. The slight warm sound and that sweet treble make it a very good match with Q Acoustics 3020i. Onkyo A-9150 is a musical amp and it is meant to be a budget option, if you are able to afford more, you might want to look at the other integrated amplifiers listed here. Still, you might probably want to check A-9150 out first, Onkyo amps have that allure when it comes to music delivery and you wouldn’t know you might fall in love with them.
More Details at Amazon – Onkyo A-9150 Stereo Integrated Amplifier, Black
If you are planning to set up a home cinema system using Q Acoustics 3020i as the L/R and surround speakers, and I presume you will be getting a subwoofer. Go for Denon AVR-X2700H, it is one of the latest Denon’s AVR and 8K ready (8K/60Hz pass-through). It is a highly rated AV receiver with sufficient power to drive your Q Acoustics 3020i speakers and you can also connect 2 active subwoofers to supplement the bass, giving the extra oomph in the low end. Denon’s Audyssey MultEQ XT will further optimize and calibrate your speakers to deliver seamless surround sound quality.
More Details at Amazon – Denon AVR-X2700H 8K Ultra HD 7.2 Channel
You can also try using bright-sounding amplifiers to improve the treble, you should check out reputable brands such as Rotel. Please note that if you are not comfortable or have never heard a bright-sounding audio system before, you must audition these amps along with your speakers first before purchasing. Another way is to just turn up the treble level of your current amplifier. Q Acoustics 3020i are terrific compact size all-rounders, when you are auditioning them, I will suggest that you add in a subwoofer and you should notice a significant improvement in the overall sound quality.
To Sum It Up
Q Acoustics 3020i is an amazing entry-level speaker and at this price point, it is really a bang for your buck. As mentioned before, if possible, you should aim slightly higher and get the Q Acoustics Concept 20 instead but I digressed. We wouldn’t suggest going with the HiFi separates route but this is entirely up to you. The listed stereo amplifiers and AV receiver are the best amps you can pair with the 3020i, they truly deserve your time and effort to hear them out. During your amplifier audition, if possible, you should compare the sound quality side by side so that you can immediately notice the difference. Happy hunting and cheers.
