Computer Shopper 2019-11-01

SPEAKERS

ISSUE 381|COMPUTER SHOPPER|NOVEMBER 2019 89

QACOUSTICSHASearned quitethe
pedigree across its family of affordable
audio gear over the years and, while its
soundbars are afirm favouriteinShopper’s
testing lab,the freshly released 3010i
bookshelf speakers show that it’s not just
TV audio at which the firm excels.
Basically,the 3010i are the new,
improved version of the QAcoustics 3010.
These passive bookshelf speakers sit in the
middle of QAcoustics’ range,and promise
full-bodied sound from avery compact
design. The driver specifications are similar
to the previous model, partnering a100mm
mid/bass driver with a25mm ring dome
tweeter,although the speaker cabinet has
had some major changes.

NEW HEIGHTS

The 3010i’s individual speaker units are still a
dainty 150mm wide,but theynow stand
18mm taller and are aconsiderable 50mm
deeper.That increased cabinet size has
allowed QAcoustics to squeeze an even
bigger sound out of them and, in tandem with
areworked crossover (the electronics that
split the high and low frequencies between
the two speaker drivers), you can expect
improvements across the board.
The only thing to bear in mind is that you
can’t just plug these directly intoyour laptop.
As these are passive speakers,
you’ll need external
amplification in the form of
ahi-fi amp or AV receiver.
This is ahandsome
pair of speakers. You
can forget the classic
hi-fi boxes of yesteryear,
however: the 3010i cut
afar more modern,
streamlined dash. The
rounded-offcorners
look great and, if the
matt whitepair we
tested aren’t to your
taste, you can pick up a
pair in more subdued
graphitegrey, black or
walnut veneer.
Whichever you
choose,the 3010i’s
build quality is
beyond reproach.
The point-to-point
cabinet bracing makes
foranimpressively
solid-feeling pair of

QACOUSTICS 3010i

★★★★★

£179•From http://www.amazon.co.uk

VERDICT

QAcousticsupgradesitsexcellent3010
speakers,andthenew3010idelivera
welcomeinjectionofpowerandpoise

speakers. Knock on the side of either one

and the cabinets sound well damped, which

bodes well forsound quality.

There are other neat design touches, too.

If you don’t fancy getting Blu Tack on your

pristine bookshelves, rubber feet on the

3010i’s underside give the speakers asolid

connection to the surface beneath. What’s

more,threaded holes on the underside make

it possible to screw them directly to apair of

dedicated wall mounts, which is perfect if

you’re thinking of using them as rear

speakers in asurround-sound setup.

SIT UP STRAIGHT

QAcoustics has responded to one of the

minor complaints about the previous

generation, too. Flip the 3010i around, and

you’ll notice that the angled binding posts of

the previous generation have been replaced

by amuch more sensible side-by-side

pair.Better still, 4mm banana

plugs now slot all the wayin;

with the previous model,

these plugs always sat

proud of the binding post.

We tested the 3010i

with awide range of

different equipment and

in avariety of locations,

but one thing remained

constant: whether they

were hooked up to an

18-year-old Sony

amplifier,Naim’s £2,000

Uniti Atom, sitting on

dedicated stands or just

plonked on abookshelf,

theyconsistently

delivered asound belying

their tiny stature.

Compared with

their predecessors, the

3010, the 3010i initially

sound alittle flat and

lacking in excitement.

The forward, attacking

sound of the 3010 has been softened, with

QAcoustics taming the punchy,in-your-face

mids and highs in favour of amore refined,

delicatebalance.

The benefits soon begin to reveal

themselves, however.Voices and instruments

initially seem to lose alittle clarity and

presence,but compared to the 3010 –which

could sometimes sound nasal and congested

–the 3010i sound farmore natural and full

bodied, with music looming larger and

deeper between the speakers.

Orchestral music benefits hugely from

the 3010i’s added scale and more refined

tonal balance and, while both models are

toosmall fortruly earth-shaking bass, the

3010i go acouple of notes deeper than

their predecessors, providing decent output

down to around 35Hz. Crank them up,and

it’s surprising how much bass these little

speakers can put out.

The 3010i have their limits, however.

There isn’t the depth or the detail, nor

the ability to unpick dense layers of

instrumentation that you’ll get from pricier

bookshelf speakers such as the Bowers &

Wilkins 607,but the overall performance is

incredible for£179.Inthis featherweight

category,the 3010i are highly impressive

performers; and besides, while the 607 attain

an incredible level of detail, it’s to the point

where their sound signature can become

somewhat esoteric. These speakers, while not

quitesotechnically advanced, will always have

more of an accessible,crowd-pleasing sound.

THE RIGHT BOXES

The QAcoustics 3010i ably prove that old

adage: good speakers really do come in small,

attractively designed, affordable packages.

Whether you’re looking to put together a

hi-fi system on abudget or simply don’t have

room forlarger stand-mount or floor-standing

speakers, the 3010i are unlikely to disappoint.

These compact bookshelf speakers pack more

sound per pound than you have any right to

expect forthe money.

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