Q Acoustics 3030c speakers
A new loudspeaker from Q Acoustics is something that’s become a talking point, especially now that the brand is approaching its twentieth anniversary and achieving worldwide recognition for its value-for-money loudspeakers. Among the newest products is the compact, two-way 3030c stand-mount which enters a crowded marketplace and was previewed at Munich High End last year.
Q Acoustics
It was back in 2006 that Q Acoustics was created as a sub-brand of Armour Home, probably most famous for both Goldring cartridges and its QED cable and accessories range. The foray into loudspeakers began with the 1000 series which was well received by the trade, reviewers and end-users. Subsequent models specifically addressed the audio quality of flat-panel TVs, a 5.1 home theatre system plus a range of install loudspeakers. Further hi-fi products appeared each year as the brand increased its foothold in the audiophile markets around the world.
Armour’s brand director, Alex Munro, is ex Tannoy and has a long and distinguished history of creating fine-sounding products, notably loudspeakers. Q Acoustics was also helped in the early days with professional input form the acoustic engineer Karl-Heinz Fink and his team who are behind so many great European loudspeakers.
Q Acoustics have developed a reputation for creating loudspeakers which perform above their price point, thanks to prudent manufacturing in China to designs carefully created and honed in the UK. It’s a recipe which has seen the brand go from success to success and they are hoping for more good things with their latest range, the 3000c series which comprises the 3050c floorstander, 3090c centre channel plus three standmount models, of which the 3030c is the largest. Two sub-woofers are planned to expand the range.
Cone profile
At the heart of Q Acoustics’ new 3000c series is its Continuous Curved Cone (C3) mid/bass cone profile which exhibits the bass characteristics of a straight conic profile and the mid frequency control of a flared profile in a distinctive shape with no phase plug.
First developed to enhance the performance of the Q Acoustics 5000 series, the cone attempts to overcome the compromise of a traditional design. Namely that a straight conic profile has benefits at bass frequencies but exhibits undesirable break-up modes that restrict its higher frequency range. A flared cone is a better option to control the cone break-up towards higher frequencies, however the flare shape will not hold its rigidity at low frequencies so well as a straight conic shape, particularly at the outer diameter.
Q Acoustics used a multi-disciplinary research team to investigate its new, complex curve contour cone profile. The goal was to design a profile that would exhibit ‘best of both’ benefits with the bass characteristics of a straight conic profile, and with the mid frequency control of a flared profile. The work complete, the new cone was first incorporated in Q Acoustics’ 5000 series loudspeakers. Used here, the mid/bass drivers feature large magnets to ensure that pole plate and yoke are near saturated in a bid to reduce flux-modulation and harmonic distortion.
Design
Apart from the revolutionary mid/bass unit, the new 3030c boast a number of notable features over the previous model, such as its hermetically-sealed tweeters; improved driver integration and dispersion with shallow sloped crossovers, single-piece satin metallic driver trims, and finish options of satin black, satin white, light Pin Oak and dark Claro Walnut.
The treble units are mechanically isolated from the baffle to prevent modulation from the mid/bass driver while the tweeter’s inner chamber is also precisely vented for lower distortion, with a lower crossover point for optimum integration through the crossover region.

Another feature worthy of mention is that the rounded-edged cabinets have been designed with low coloration in mind and feature trademarked point-to-point bracing in an effort to minimize low-end reverberation to improve the stereo image and soundstage. Attention has also been paid to the planet with improved sustainable packaging to achieve green credentials by replacing expanded polystyrene with recyclable egg crate material.
Sound quality
Sited on a pair of suitably high Custom Design FS 104 Signature stands, to bring the tweeters up to ear level, the Q3030cs were connected to a Hegel H190 streaming amp with satellite tuner and Qobuz via an Auralic Aries G1 streamer as the main sources.
I am well used to loudspeakers of these proportions, not least my Revival Atalante 3s and I spent many years in front of LS3/5A mini monitors at the BBC. However, such designs cost several times as much as these Q Acoustics units. Was it even possible, I wondered, to create a credible loudspeaker at under £500, even if manufactured in the Far East?
Initial thoughts are that the Q Acoustics’ 3030c has a reasonably flat frequency response with great control of unwanted cabinet resonances. The level of bass performance is notable as is the slightly rising treble response which adds air and sparkle to the output. The balance has clearly been carefully considered to give the best from a design compromised by both size and price.
Leaving the speakers to run-in for a few days with programme material courtesy of internet radio stations, it was a week before the listening panel assembled. I had been struck down with Covid so they pressed on, unhindered by my involvement for once and completely free to make musical selections.
They began with Alberto Giurioli’s Tutto è Bellissimo, surely the latest big thing in classical crossover music and written when the composer was just 15. The panel noted how well this incredible recording, with its closely-miked piano and high-level midrange was handled by the Q Acoustics’ 3030c. The ‘wintery’ sound extended beyond the loudspeaker cabinets both vertically and laterally to create a vivid soundstage. The treble was well accentuated while the bass extension was superb. Foam bungs can be put in the large rear reflex ports if needed but there was no difficulty in leaving them open to enjoy the full LF effect on offer.
Switching to a big turntable hit from the nineties in Lemon Tree by German band Fools Garden the panel found the track most engaging with excellent imaging and an overall sound that made them think they were listing to a loudspeaker costing much more than the 3030c’s asking price. Written on a Sunday afternoon while waiting for a girlfriend who never showed, the bittersweet introspective sees a “Lemon Tree” SFX used between each verse in a most imaginative way. The 3030c’s timing was highly competent as panel members’ feet tapped away to the lush melody and the overall enjoyment factor was high.
Turning the clock back to Domino Dancing by the Pet Shop Boys, the 7’30” version from the album Introspective, the vocals came through clearly confirming the midrange balance of the 3030c which manages to avoid the modern trend of bass boom and treble tizz with nothing in between. The panel enjoyed this euphoric, sensual pop masterpiece which is probably the group’s best single by simultaneously expressing ecstasy and tragedy. Dynamics were aplenty and the panel noted how well the little speakers are able to start and stop, even with complex musical tracks.
Before finishing, there was time for The Monkees’ Listen to the Band, a studio recording deliberately given a huge soundstage to emulate a stadium performance and one handled well by the Q Acoustics’ 3030c. They sound like bigger, more expensive loudspeakers and that speaks volumes for the design quality. This track was written by Mike Nesmith, the one in the green woolly hat, and recognised as the only real musician in the group.
Before sending the review samples back I was able to enjoy the Q Acoustics 3030Cs for a further week across a wide range of programme material. While no substitute for a bespoke broadcast monitor they are nonetheless extremely good value for money and give musical enjoyment, especially on popular material. The live transmission of Choral Evensong from St John’s College, Cambridge was reproduced with lifelike realism and helped to take me to the historic venue in a meaningful way. Not many, if any, £500 mini loudspeakers can create such a sense of ‘being there’ and Q Acoustics have once more produced a loudspeaker that offers value-for-money and high enjoyment rating.
Conclusion
Q Acoustics are already well known for delivering a speaker performance way beyond their price point; it’s in their DNA, if you like. And the new 3030c won’t disappoint. Small it may be; affordable it may be, but the design offers a lot in a compact package at a competitive price. There’s a glorious lower-midrange warmth and just enough rising treble response to maintain interest and keep the entertainment factor going by adding sparkle and detail.
The fact that a design at this price incorporates so much technology is also noteworthy. That computer-aided bracing eliminates cabinet-borne resonances for a clean sound devoid of unwanted coloration. Who could not fail to be impressed?