Q Acoustics 3030i Bookshelf Speaker and QB12 Subwoofer Preview

See the complete review for the Q Acoustics 3030i Bookshelf Speaker and QB12 Subwoofer.

Before I start gushing, Q Acoustics is a well-established audio brand from Britain and they’ve added a new model to their award-winning 3000i loudspeaker range: the 3030i stand-mount speaker, engineered to provide more powerful bass performance from a relatively compact size.

They have also released a brand-new subwoofer, the QB12, which is the first in a new range of subs. The QB12 is designed to work alongside the 3000i and Concept 5.1 speaker range. It is available for purchase individually or paired with Q Acoustics speakers in three home cinema packages.

First up the Speaker.

The 3030i sits in the range smack dab between the 3020i bookshelf speaker and 3050i floor-stander. While retaining the elegant and compact appearance of a stand-mount speaker, it derives its woofer design from the much larger and more powerful 3050i floor-standing model. For me, the 3030i is the sweet spot for the budget audiophile.

Why? Well, the 165mm (6.5”) woofer, featuring a new motor with copper-clad aluminum windings, has been optimized for use in a smaller stand mount-style cabinet, allowing the 3030i to go right down to 46Hz at low-end. The tweeter and mounting arrangement, meanwhile, are taken directly from the 3050i to deliver class-leading high-frequency performance.

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Point to Point P2P™ bracing, technology first introduced in the flagship Concept 500 speaker, and employed in the rest of the range, maintains high cabinet rigidity and low distortion.

The internal volume is now more than double that of the 3020i bookshelf speaker – a design which contributes to the bass extension – yet the 3030i retains the same sleek and stylish look.

So, with all the above in play, the 3030i’s are sure to be an amazing speaker. The 3030i arrives in four cabinet color finishes; Arctic White, Carbon Black, Graphite Grey, and English Walnut. Mine arrived in Arctic white and they look stunning.

Now Let’s not forget about the QB12 Sub.

This bass beast consists of a long-throw 12-inch driver with high sensitivity and superb dynamics, powered by an ultra-low distortion 220-watt Texas Instruments TPA3255 Class D amplifier. It’s the largest and most powerful subwoofer from Q Acoustics so far, with an active limiter and the amplifier’s proprietary PurePath Ultra-HD technology ensuring unwanted distortion is minimized across the board, resulting in a taut but forceful sound.

To help maintain performance levels, a subtly engineered, custom die-cast aluminum heat sink on the rear panel supports and cools the ultra-low distortion power amplifier and power supply. Elsewhere, a 0°/180° phase switch allows the user to optimize the integration with the left and right speakers for a seamless and balanced fidelity.

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Given the powerful nature of the large driver unit, effective cabinet and driver bracing is crucial for a smooth low-end sonic performance. Q Acoustics has fitted a ‘dart brace’ internal design inside the subwoofer’s reinforced MDF cabinet. Not only does this provide superior mechanical stability to the driver but the extra rigidity reduces resonance and vibrations for improved accurate bass response.Adjustable spiked feet provide additional support when the Q B12 is placed on carpeted floors, with optional rubber caps for wooden and other hard surfaces also provided. The rear terminal panel has been cleverly designed to keep interior spaces free of unsightly wires. Recessed and hidden, it allows all plugs to be concealed and channel cables passed cleanly out through the subwoofer’s base.

The QB 12 is available for purchase in a matching finish (Carbon Black and Arctic White vinyl) to the Q Acoustics 3000i range, or in a matching finish (Black and White gloss) to the Q Acoustics Concept range.

My review sample arrived in the Arctic White to match the 3030i Speakers (yay!). I will be reviewing the speaker and subwoofer together and separately to see how they both fair. I’m super excited for this review. Stay tuned!

See the complete review for the Q Acoustics 3030i Bookshelf Speaker and QB12 Subwoofer.

Taps Das

Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Taps Das is an art director and designer with over 15 years of experience. He has way too many hobbies: Illustration, Music Production, cooking, DJ-ing, and Hifi. His adolescence was spent immersed in DJ culture in Toronto’s then-burgeoning club scene. He still buys vinyl to this day preferring it as his medium of choice when listening to music. He is happiest when he’s tucked inside his studio spinning vinyl on his turntables, sitting at his desk drawing or in the kitchen cooking up a storm. Taps shares his home with his wife, two hooligan kids, and lovable fat dog Homie.