A little while back, I reviewed some massive speakers that, when installed in our moderately-sized living room, felt like we’d uncovered a pair of Arthur C. Clarke’s monoliths and could expect our boys to start fighting with clubs, and the strains of Also Sprach Zarathrutra to rattle the french doors off their hinges. They were very good speakers, but to get close to a full sound out of them, I found I had to turn the amplifier way up. They dominated the corners of the room such that we needed to use robot grabber arms to reach the DVD collection, and weighing in at over 60 lbs. each, there was a risk they could fall over and injure a pet.
So, when those went back to their makers and Q Acoustics (whose sound bar I previously reviewed here) sent me their 3050 floorstanding speakers, it was something of a relief, and a revelation.
Here’s the thing: when you’re buying a really good pair of speakers like these floorstanding units, perhaps to upgrade from smaller bookshelf or satellite speakers, you need to take the specifications into account to make sure they’ll be right for you. When I got these 3050s set up and running, suddenly I could hear everything at much lower volume settings, and the bass response was much heavier than the more massive pair. This may seem odd, until you understand power requirements.
My Yamaha tuner/amp supplies the following output power: Dynamic Power per Channel (8/6/4/2 ohms): 95/110/130/150W. The previous giant speakers are listed at 8 ohms impedance, and want 90-200 watts, meaning I was barely driving them with 95W output from my tuner. The Q Acoustics 3050s are listed at 6 ohms, and are looking for 25-100W to drive them, meaning my tuner is more than powerful enough, and I can enjoy the full range of their output. It was a Goldilocks moment: these speakers are just right!
Indeed, because both my original satellite speakers and the previous pair of monoliths were a little weak (for different reasons), I had the bass level boosted from the tuner. With the Q Acoustics 3050s, I had to bring the bass back down because the response was so strong. These speakers are great for watching TV and movies, for playing videogames, and for filling a room with music in a way that no battery-powered Bluetooth speaker can. And better yet, while they look good and make both a visual and audio statement, they don’t overwhelm the space; they fit. Indeed, when I was taking the monoliths to UPS to ship them back, I needed one of my sons to help me get them into and out of the car, because handling them wasn’t a one-person job. These 3050s are much more reasonable.
So, what was a lesson-learned for me, I can pass on to you as a recommendation. When you go to upgrade your speakers, make sure you know what your system can handle before you make a decision. The monoliths weren’t bad speakers, but if I’d been truly intent on incorporating them into my home, I would have had to upgrade my tuner/amp as well, adding hundreds of dollars to the purchase. Whereas the Q Acoustics 3050s are the perfect fit for my existing equipment, and the space they’re going into. And that makes all the difference.
The Q Acoustics 3050 Floorstanding Speakers are available from their website, or via Amazon for $700 a pair (both with free shipping).
Note: Q Acoustics provided a pair of speakers for the purposes of this review.
You can also move the speakers, in relation to the wall, to adjust the bass output from your speakers… this can be a better solution, sometimes, because you are using your room’s acoustics (think of this approach as using a analog solution over a digital one) and not choking your speakers output. Let the speakers receive full range of signal to create the sound they were designed to make.
Also, if you mention the amp you intend to run the review with to the vender before they ship the speakers for review, it’s always possible they might have an amp for loan to power the bigger speakers, if you ask.
Kendra, those are both excellent points, thanks! In the case of the “too big” speakers, the loaner amp wasn’t an option, which was a shame. I did really like them, but they were just SO massive, they weren’t right for my situation. The overall point I’m trying to get out is that we’re in an age where many folks under 40 don’t have a lot of experience with ANY speakers bigger than either portable Bluetooth units, or the smaller satellite sizes that come with surround sound box sets. But if you are going to go for something bigger, definitely do a little homework first.
Did you bi amp or bi wire your 3050s when you tested them?
I did not. At the time I was testing them, I wasn’t set up to try that conveniently, but it’s something I’d like to try in the future. Good question, thanks!
Thanks Ken for your reply. I’m planning the buy a pair of 3050’s. I think they’re gonna sound awesome whether they’re single-wired or bi-wired.
You’re welcome, Victor! I’m still really happy with the pair we have, and I think the price/performance is pretty good. Enjoy!
Thanks for the review. I’m hoping to get a pair of 3050s for my system. Should mention that their also available on Walmart.com for $619 a pair, direct from Q Acoustics.
*they’re. Argh. 🙂
Thanks for this nice review! Are they good for a 17m2 living room open on the kitchen or they’re too big?
I don’t think they’d be too big for such a space. The living room we have them in right now it about 21 m2, and if you have the extra kitchen to cover, you’re probably fine. Good luck!
Ok 🙂 thanks for your answer!
Hello Ken!
I was reading your reviews and I have seen that you have experience with q acoustics 3050 and also Fluance signature series!
I have a living room similar to yours and witch of these would you recommend for music listening!
I am leaning towards 3050 but would like to know your opinion?
Bottom line is that we’ve been living with the Qs for a couple years now, and still love them. So I’d have to agree with your leaning 😉
That’s what I thought 😁!
Thanks for fast response 👍🏻