Q acoustics 3020

JoshR1989 · 21 Oct 2017 at 23:21

Thinking of getting a pair of q acoustics 3020's and a 3070 subwoofer mated to an Onkyo TX8150, anyone able to offer any insight to these?
Main uses for the speakers will be music while I'm working and the amp should be the perfect driver for my AKG headphones while listening at night while others are in bed and gaming.
Josh.

hornetstinger · 22 Oct 2017 at 17:33

The 3020 are great little speakers.

But the 3070 isn't anything special, 2 x 17cm woofer, 140W- my farts probably go lower. I'd look into the BK XLS200 or similar instead.

JoshR1989 · 22 Oct 2017 at 18:28

hornetstinger said:
The 3020 are great little speakers.

But the 3070 isn't anything special, 2 x 17cm woofer, 140W- my farts probably go lower. I'd look into the BK XLS200 or similar instead.

Would something like the monitor audio bronze 2's be a little better you think with the matching SW?
Josh.

hornetstinger · 22 Oct 2017 at 18:47

Those Monitor Audio speakers are standmounts, the Q Acoustics are medium sized bookshelf. The Monitor Audio have bigger bass driver, so will have wider frequency response. You need to go and listen to them to see which you prefer.

The Monitor Audio speakers are a easier load, and more sensivitive- which means less strain on your amp (ohm) and more sensitive means it's louder for a given watt of power.

As for matching sub, both will work, however the Q Acoustics sub is a bit weedy, they fit in two smaller drivers in a vertiucally set cabinet to be more pleasing to the eyes. But 140W 2 x 6.5" won't result in earth shaking bass. You'll find a decent 12" to outclass that.

http://www.bkelec.com/hifi/sub_woofers/XLS200-DF.htm

JoshR1989 · 22 Oct 2017 at 21:44

Thanks, think a trip to an audio shop is needed.
Josh.

Doug2507 · 25 Nov 2017 at 09:06

10/10 for concept 20 btw. On my desk with iosacoustics and relatively near wall (15cm).

And agree, bk (200/gemini) far better option than 3070.

steveinspain · 26 Nov 2017 at 10:56

Doug2507 said:
10/10 for concept 20 btw. On my desk with iosacoustics and relatively near wall (15cm).

Do you use the isoacoustics tilting stand - If so, how do you rate them - I've been wondering about trying something like them - also, what amp do you use ?
I've got some Concept 20's, currently using a tiny smsl amp but considering something like a Rega Brio, but also thinking about putting the 20's on their proper stands and using them with the main stereo, and getting something like some Edifier R2000db's for the pc..

Doug2507 · 27 Nov 2017 at 16:06

The stands are decent. I've got no option though due to space in the office.

Using an ancient denon rd-vh7 which runs class a for about 10w iirc. Was in the same boat as yourself but I pretty much listen to rock only. Tried a PMA-50...junk. grabbed an 851a azur s/h which I'll listen to when I return from work.

All depends on what type of sound/music you like!

steveinspain · 27 Nov 2017 at 17:21

Doug2507 said:
The stands are decent. I've got no option though due to space in the office.

Using an ancient denon rd-vh7 which runs class a for about 10w iirc. Was in the same boat as yourself but I pretty much listen to rock only. Tried a PMA-50...junk. grabbed an 851a azur s/h which I'll listen to when I return from work.

All depends on what type of sound/music you like!

Many thanks - I had looked at the PMA 50, which seems to get a lot of praise, but know that the new Rega Brio seems to work pretty well, though all I am comparing it to is the SMSL. I have a problem with space, which is why I like small format amps, and even the Rega is a bit big...
As for what music I like - having been buying music for 45 years I've got a fairly diverse collection, but it doesn't include much by way of opera, rap or the commercial pop-pap that so many think is music...

Doug2507 · 29 Nov 2017 at 00:33

Cyrus one might be another option. Gave it some consideration myself (brio is too polite for me, elex far better) but really didn't want a dac amp which seems to be all the rage in that price bracket. (I now use an ibasso dx200 (9028pro dual chip) for source/dac)

Ex dem audiolab 8300a was also tempting as I started with audiolab years ago and the 8300 seems to be better reviewed than the 8200. Still, full size.

Other midi would be quad/meridian/linn. Used linn before and sounds pretty good, gave the krell setup i had at the time a good run for its money at a fraction of the cost. Downside is linn won't service the LK range anymore but there's a specialist that will should anything need done.

And s/h doesn't give you the opportunity to run whatever for a good week before returning if not to taste!

Yamaha a670 might be a bargain....

If you can get the rd-vh7 cheap on eBay I'd highly recommend giving it a go first. In class A mode it gets the foot tapping. (PMA50 just throws the high hat in your face constantly, no liquidity)

Keep us posted with what you end up with.

steveinspain · 29 Nov 2017 at 07:38

Doug2507 said:
Cyrus one might be another option. Gave it some consideration myself (brio is too polite for me, elex far better) but really didn't want a dac amp which seems to be all the rage in that price bracket. (I now use an ibasso dx200 (9028pro dual chip) for source/dac)

Ex dem audiolab 8300a was also tempting as I started with audiolab years ago and the 8300 seems to be better reviewed than the 8200. Still, full size.

Other midi would be quad/meridian/linn. Used linn before and sounds pretty good, gave the krell setup i had at the time a good run for its money at a fraction of the cost. Downside is linn won't service the LK range anymore but there's a specialist that will should anything need done.

And s/h doesn't give you the opportunity to run whatever for a good week before returning if not to taste!

Yamaha a670 might be a bargain....

If you can get the rd-vh7 cheap on eBay I'd highly recommend giving it a go first. In class A mode it gets the foot tapping. (PMA50 just throws the high hat in your face constantly, no liquidity)

Keep us posted with what you end up with.

Again, many thanks.
I'll look into your suggestions as none of them mean anything to me (i've not looked at this sort of thing for many years..)
I'm in no big rush, but you know how these things are - you get an itch, and boy, does it need scratching.....

steveinspain · 29 Nov 2017 at 18:41

Doug2507 said:
Keep us posted with what you end up with.

Well, I might have a (used) PS Audio Sprout on its way to me.
No idea what it sounds like, but it can always be sold on if it doesn't live up to the few reviews I've read...

Hopefully its ok to post this.

http://www.hifichoice.co.uk/news/article/ps-audio-sprout/21385

steveinspain · 3 Dec 2017 at 14:48

OK, I don't have a lot to compare it to, but the PS Audio Sprout seems to be a mighty fine amp to me.
Way more involving - ie I'm spending more time choosing what to listen to next, and enjoying it more.
I'm still waiting for my Isoacoustic stands to come, so have high hopes for even more pleasure to come.
They seem to be in short supply used (which mine was) but even at the full asking price of £500 I would recommend it to anyone wanting a really cool looking and even better sounding amp. Search out a few reviews and have a listen if you can...!

Doug2507 · 3 Dec 2017 at 15:24

Excellent. Does come well reviewed and their high end gear is superb.

FishLicker · 6 Dec 2017 at 15:16

I'm probably too late, but check Sevenoaks site, I got a NAD D 3020 for £269 from there, absolutely over the moon with it. Lovely sounding Amp / DAC