British audio specialist, Q Acoustics, has introduced a new range of affordable and high-performance loudspeakers that make for a suitable upgrade path from a first pair of speakers. The new 3000c Series builds on the legacy of Q Acoustics’ 3000i, the company’s most popular and highly decorated speaker.
This new range of loudspeakers claims to deliver a significant boost in sonic performance at an affordable price point. Q Acoustics has positioned the 3000c Series as an entry-level point into the world of audiophile sound making for a cost-effective upgrade from a pair of budget speakers.
The 3000c Series features Q Acoustics C3 Continuous Curved Cone mid/bass driver design that was first uses in the award-winning Q Acoustics 5000 series and the company’s M40 powered micro-tower speakers. This latest innovation elevates the sound with an articulate and fast mid-range, but also with a controlled and strong bass dynamic. The treble sounds nuanced and detailed creating a tight and focused soundstage
The 3000c family of speakers consists of the 3010c bookshelf, 3020c standmount, 3030c larger standmount and 3050c floorstander. The 3090c center-channel model completes the line-up so you can build a home theater set-up alongside a sub-woofer.
To test the claims of Q Acoustics, I listened to a pair of the 3020c stand mount models alongside my pair of 3050i floorstanders to see how far the technology has come in just five years.
Continuous Curved Cone Driver
The new ground-up C3 (pronounced “C-cubed”) Continuous Curved Cone mid/bass driver is the main upgrade in these speakers. Teh driver is designed to deliver better bass dynamics and a smoother crossover with the tweeter which reproduces the higher-frequency instruments such as cymbals and high guitar notes.
Based on the design principles found in Q Acoustics’ high-end Concept Series of loudspeakers, the hermetically sealed and high-frequency tweeter in the 3000c range has been mechanically isolated from the front baffle of the speaker cabinet. This is to prevent vibrations from the mid/bass driver interfering with the higher frequencies produced by the tweeter.
The 3000c’s low-coloration cabinets incorporate Point-to-Point bracing which strengthens their construction and helps reduce any low-end reverberation which, in turn, improves the stereo imaging and overall soundstage that the speakers are able to reproduce.
With the 3050c floorstanding model, Helmholtz Pressure Equalizer tubes inside the cabinets disrupt the build-up of standing waves, resulting in a smoother frequency response and lower distortion that cuts down on any booming sounds that an uncontrolled bass frequencies can create.
Available In Four New Finishes
Like the rest of the 3000c Series, the 3020c features a clean and contemporary look and the satin metallic driver trims make for an understated finish. All the speaker models are available to order in four new finishes: Pin Oak, Claro Walnut, Satin White and Satin Black.
The 3020c speakers that I auditioned certainly sound like an improvement on the lower-priced 3020i model. The Continuous Curved Cone driver was first fitted on the company’s 5000 Series of loudspeakers and is the result of extensive research and engineering by Q Acoustics. The driver combines the bass performance advantages of a traditional straight conic cone with the mid-range and high-end of a flared cone, offering the listener the best of both worlds.
The driver’s single, smooth and continuous curve profile creates a smoother integration with the sound from the tweeter thanks to its improved dispersion and controlled frequency response. The control of the bass dynamic also offers greater flexibility when positioning speakers relative to walls. Q Acoustics says the harmonic distortion has also been reduced, while the scale and accuracy of the soundstage have been boosted. The C3 driver is also more resistant to standing waves within the speaker cabinet.
The entire 3000c Series has the established look of the Q Acoustics 3000i Series but adopts some subtle changes of contemporary interior design trends. The 3000c speakers are more visually minimalist and show no sign of any visible joints or bolts. The one-piece driver trim, made of satin nickel and satin chrome, gives the speakers a sophisticated appearance in an understated way.
A Possible Upgrade Path
If you are thinking of upgrading and already own a pair of Q Acoustics’ 3020i speakers, the 3000c series could be worth considering. Listeners should be able to notice a difference due to the increased amount of bass and the clarity of the midrange and treble frequencies.
These speakers offer value for money and should be suitable for use alongside a sub-woofer instead of full-sized floorstanding speakers. The soundstage is wide and well-focused highlighting stereo effects that another pair of similarly priced speakers might overlook.
Pricing & Availability:
The Q Acoustics 3000c Series of speakers is available now in the UK from www.qacoustics.co.uk and local independent dealers. In the U.S. they can be bought from www.qacoustics.com. The 3010c bookshelf costs $399 / £299 / €379, while the Q Acoustics 3020c standmount models I auditioned are priced at $549 / £399 / €499. If you need more bass, then the Q Acoustics 3030c larger standmount model costs $699 / £499 / €629. The Q Acoustics 3050c floorstander model is also shipping now and is priced at $1,199 / £849 / €1,099. If you want a center speaker for a home theater, the Q Acoustics 3090c centre channel speaker will cost you $399 / £299 / €379. All prices apart from the 3090c are per pair.
