Q Acoustics 3050 - any good??
Discussion
First post in here, please be gentle...😁
Thinking of upgrading my hifi, probably a little overdue to be honest. Currently running a marantz CD player, Yamaha amp (about 100w per channel), Rega planar 1 turntable & a pair of Mission M73i speakers (probably about 16 years old)...
Room size is 20ft by 16ft, not sure if this makes a difference? Anyhow, I’m fairly pleased with the sound but got an itch to upgrade the speakers. I’m finding, now that I’ve got back the vinyl ‘bug’, that I’m listening to music a bit more at home & reckon the speakers would be a good place to start.
Been advised against bookshelf speakers on decent stands, was looking at the Monitor Audio Bronze 2’s, due to loss of bass coming from floor-standers.
However the Q Acoustics 3050 have caught my eye & a are fairly good price. Not looking to spend massive amounts & these tend to get pretty good reviews.
Any thoughts folks? Am I likely to notice a big difference in sound quality from these speakers?
Any advice appreciated!
👍
Thinking of upgrading my hifi, probably a little overdue to be honest. Currently running a marantz CD player, Yamaha amp (about 100w per channel), Rega planar 1 turntable & a pair of Mission M73i speakers (probably about 16 years old)...
Room size is 20ft by 16ft, not sure if this makes a difference? Anyhow, I’m fairly pleased with the sound but got an itch to upgrade the speakers. I’m finding, now that I’ve got back the vinyl ‘bug’, that I’m listening to music a bit more at home & reckon the speakers would be a good place to start.
Been advised against bookshelf speakers on decent stands, was looking at the Monitor Audio Bronze 2’s, due to loss of bass coming from floor-standers.
However the Q Acoustics 3050 have caught my eye & a are fairly good price. Not looking to spend massive amounts & these tend to get pretty good reviews.
Any thoughts folks? Am I likely to notice a big difference in sound quality from these speakers?
Any advice appreciated!
👍
I have a pair and they are good speakers, for the price they are now I'd say they would be a good choice.
That said with your current set up I'd look at the amp first and consider swapping for a used or ex demo Arcam A19, good amps with better than average phono amp built in for your turntable.
https://theaudiophileman.com/arcam-a19/
That said with your current set up I'd look at the amp first and consider swapping for a used or ex demo Arcam A19, good amps with better than average phono amp built in for your turntable.
https://theaudiophileman.com/arcam-a19/
I'd disagree and say that as long as your current amp is powerful enough to drive whatever speakers you pick, you'll get a better result from better speakers - I'm of the opinion and experience that all well designed solid state amps sound pretty much the same when used within their design limits.
I swapped my old Mordaunt Short speakers for the 3050s and kept the old Nad C320Bee powering the new 3050s, didn't notice that much difference.
Swapped to an A19 and there was a significant improvement, same power outputs on both amps.
Possibly a characteristic of ther 3050 speakers as I understand the general rule is the other way around.
Swapped to an A19 and there was a significant improvement, same power outputs on both amps.
Possibly a characteristic of ther 3050 speakers as I understand the general rule is the other way around.
Thought I'd bump this (hoping it may help the OP too) as I was thinking of starting a similar thread!...
I'm torn between the 3050s and the 5's - Had a listen in RS, but the Sales guy whilst very accommodating seemed keen on (up)selling me anything else, starting with Opticons etc. that are well over my budget and overkill for my room and set-up!
I was particularly impressed with the Oberons and their clarity/ top end vs the 3050, but don't know how much of this was affected by hearing them back to back during a track (A/B outputs on a CXA60) and I know the 3050s are known for being easy on the ears due to not being too bright!
So having slept on it my plan is to go back and give them both separate extended listens to see which I prefer, but would be interested in others' thoughts and wisdom, particularly if I don't get to trial them with my amp...
I've got a Yamaha R-N602 for which the 3050 are frequently recommended, but I've not seen many reports on it being paired with the 5s, other than one comment that they sounded 'decent' together in the shop.
I've got a minor concern (thanks to browsing other forums!) that whilst it has a decent rated output, it might not quite have the oomph to dig deep and drive them properly/ as well as the 3050s (modest sized living room: 4 x 5m, not looking to go particularly loud, but want to enjoy my music (all sorts from say... Bert Jansch to Underworld) through them!
justin220 said:
You really need to listen to a set and decide yourself as speakers are very subjective.
I went into my local hifi place to trial a few including the 3050s, and came away with Dali Oberons. I'm not saying they are better, just sounded much clearer to me
Did you go for the Oberon 5's, and what amp are you running them with? I went into my local hifi place to trial a few including the 3050s, and came away with Dali Oberons. I'm not saying they are better, just sounded much clearer to me
I'm torn between the 3050s and the 5's - Had a listen in RS, but the Sales guy whilst very accommodating seemed keen on (up)selling me anything else, starting with Opticons etc. that are well over my budget and overkill for my room and set-up!
I was particularly impressed with the Oberons and their clarity/ top end vs the 3050, but don't know how much of this was affected by hearing them back to back during a track (A/B outputs on a CXA60) and I know the 3050s are known for being easy on the ears due to not being too bright!
So having slept on it my plan is to go back and give them both separate extended listens to see which I prefer, but would be interested in others' thoughts and wisdom, particularly if I don't get to trial them with my amp...
I've got a Yamaha R-N602 for which the 3050 are frequently recommended, but I've not seen many reports on it being paired with the 5s, other than one comment that they sounded 'decent' together in the shop.
I've got a minor concern (thanks to browsing other forums!) that whilst it has a decent rated output, it might not quite have the oomph to dig deep and drive them properly/ as well as the 3050s (modest sized living room: 4 x 5m, not looking to go particularly loud, but want to enjoy my music (all sorts from say... Bert Jansch to Underworld) through them!
Yeah Oberon 5 for me, matching centre and Zensor 1 (I think) as surrounds.
So I previewed them all (3050, Dali Zensor and oberon, Fyne and a couple others) all through an anthem amp, playing music from Tidal, the higher quality stream. I'll be honest there wasn't a huge difference to my ears between any of them, but I found the Dalis just sounded a clearer, crisper and a bit less bassy/muffled. In isolation they'd all sound great.
I use mine mainly for films, and the room is 7x5m. It was a bit of a spare room I converted to a man cave on a budget, so they replaced an old set of LG 5.1 package speakers and the difference is night and day. I'm used a Denon amp, low in the Denon range and from memory it was less than £300 so it's not fancy.
The 3050s have great reviews also. I don't think you can go wrong with either
So I previewed them all (3050, Dali Zensor and oberon, Fyne and a couple others) all through an anthem amp, playing music from Tidal, the higher quality stream. I'll be honest there wasn't a huge difference to my ears between any of them, but I found the Dalis just sounded a clearer, crisper and a bit less bassy/muffled. In isolation they'd all sound great.
I use mine mainly for films, and the room is 7x5m. It was a bit of a spare room I converted to a man cave on a budget, so they replaced an old set of LG 5.1 package speakers and the difference is night and day. I'm used a Denon amp, low in the Denon range and from memory it was less than £300 so it's not fancy.
The 3050s have great reviews also. I don't think you can go wrong with either
Thanks - that's all really helpful!
My thoughts were very similar on the Oberons (although they should be at twice the price!). You've given me confidence that once I've confirmed via an extended listen, it's not daft to expect that they'll work similarly with my amp (being a good speaker I think some folk on audiophile forums always want to pair them with more of a 'purist' amp) - worst case I can always return them!
My thoughts were very similar on the Oberons (although they should be at twice the price!). You've given me confidence that once I've confirmed via an extended listen, it's not daft to expect that they'll work similarly with my amp (being a good speaker I think some folk on audiophile forums always want to pair them with more of a 'purist' amp) - worst case I can always return them!
The main problem with the 3050s (for me) is that they are a physically big speaker.
They sound good and are also very well finishedf for the price.
The RN 602 is a great one box product and is also good value, but is slightly power limited.
If you like the Oberon 5s but the budget won't stretch a certain hifi online retailer still has some Zensor 5 (which the Oberons replaced) for £379.
The Oberons are better, but not much.
I've just notced you can also buy old 1st gen Q Acoustics 3050s online (not the 3050i which is the current model) in some finishes for £349 - well worth the money (don't buy the walnut, it's stuck on viny which can peel in the sun !)
They sound good and are also very well finishedf for the price.
The RN 602 is a great one box product and is also good value, but is slightly power limited.
If you like the Oberon 5s but the budget won't stretch a certain hifi online retailer still has some Zensor 5 (which the Oberons replaced) for £379.
The Oberons are better, but not much.
I've just notced you can also buy old 1st gen Q Acoustics 3050s online (not the 3050i which is the current model) in some finishes for £349 - well worth the money (don't buy the walnut, it's stuck on viny which can peel in the sun !)
Edited by tonyg58 on Sunday 10th November 17:22
tonyg58 said:
The main problem with the 3050s (for me) is that they are a physically big speaker.
They sound good and are also very well finishedf for the price.
Yeah, I'm ok with size of the 3050s but they're possibly a little taller than I'd ideally like for the room - was impressed with the size of the Dalis, as they're extremely neat but without the sound being compromised!They sound good and are also very well finishedf for the price.
tonyg58 said:
The RN 602 is a great one box product and is also good value, but is slightly power limited.
This is my only concern, as I've heard a few say it despite the rated output (which I appreciate isn't the whole story!).I actually bought the amp on a whim after my ancient Cambridge A5 bit the dust over the summer, and it's transformed the sound from my speakers (also ancient Misson 702e) - hence getting bitten by the hi-fi bug again and wanting to find the best possible speaker pairing, but not wanting to jump on the slippery slope of upgrading everything!
Any idea/ experience of whether it's a problem with the Oberons? I'm not looking to shake the furniture with my set-up, just drive the speakers well enough to enjoy the sound!
tonyg58 said:
If you like the Oberon 5s but the budget won't stretch a certain hifi online retailer still has some Zensor 5 (which the Oberons replaced) for £379.
The Oberons are better, but not much.
I've just notced you can also buy old 1st gen Q Acoustics 3050s online (not the 3050i which is the current model) in some finishes for £349 - well worth the money (don't buy the walnut, it's stuck on viny which can peel in the sun !)
Appreciate the options (and the heads-up on the walnut, as that was a style I was pondering) - it's actually the stock of 'old' 3050s I've got my eye on at that price (and lower on occasion apparently) in RS - the salesman did seem to be pointing me away from them (he didn't rate their top end and got me thinking the same) but I guess there's no margin to be had at that price!The Oberons are better, but not much.
I've just notced you can also buy old 1st gen Q Acoustics 3050s online (not the 3050i which is the current model) in some finishes for £349 - well worth the money (don't buy the walnut, it's stuck on viny which can peel in the sun !)
Edited by tonyg58 on Sunday 10th November 17:22
Hi Guys,
Thought I’d update the thread after posting the initial question....
So.... I bought the 3050’s, online purchase & an eBay 10% off voucher last week meant they came in at a reasonable £314 delivered for the walnut finish (I’ll try & keep them out of the sun!!!)
Impressions... They are a lot bigger than my previous speakers (Mission M73i’s) & thought that the Mrs might give me grief but thankfully no, they look quite modern in comparison to the Missions.
Sound quality is a step up from the Mission’s, a bit deeper & on some vinyl I’m hearing things that I didn’t hear before. Still running them in & a lot of reviews mentioned they get much better as they run in (not sure how true this is or not). The amp I’m using is a Yamaha AX-596, which has plenty of power but doubt it’s the most refined bit of kit.
Overall very pleased, but now I find I’m looking for a phono stage / pre amp as apparently the phono stage on my Yamaha amp isn’t the best, slippery slope indeed!!
Thought I’d update the thread after posting the initial question....
So.... I bought the 3050’s, online purchase & an eBay 10% off voucher last week meant they came in at a reasonable £314 delivered for the walnut finish (I’ll try & keep them out of the sun!!!)
Impressions... They are a lot bigger than my previous speakers (Mission M73i’s) & thought that the Mrs might give me grief but thankfully no, they look quite modern in comparison to the Missions.
Sound quality is a step up from the Mission’s, a bit deeper & on some vinyl I’m hearing things that I didn’t hear before. Still running them in & a lot of reviews mentioned they get much better as they run in (not sure how true this is or not). The amp I’m using is a Yamaha AX-596, which has plenty of power but doubt it’s the most refined bit of kit.
Overall very pleased, but now I find I’m looking for a phono stage / pre amp as apparently the phono stage on my Yamaha amp isn’t the best, slippery slope indeed!!
All speakers will run in (the moving parts free themselves off, just like a car engine runs in).
Shouldn't take long.
Save your money re the phono stage, one that's better than the one in your Yamaha will probably be on the order of £100, enjoy your system and think about buying a better amp if funds become available.
Shouldn't take long.
Save your money re the phono stage, one that's better than the one in your Yamaha will probably be on the order of £100, enjoy your system and think about buying a better amp if funds become available.
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