Rupam
Well-Known Member
Hi all — posting here because there are no local showrooms where I can audition these. I’ve shortlisted two options and will be pairing whichever I buy with a
Denon AVR-X1800H (7.2 ch, ~80 W/ch).
Room is 12 × 14 ft.
Use: 90% movies / 10% music.
I will add a sub later (so the bookshelf pair will be mainly left/right/front surrounds depending on config). I will get the matching centre channel later because of budget constraints. For surrounds, I will manage with my old speakers for the time being.
Gear / constraints
AVR: Denon AVR-X1800H — 80 W/ch, Dolby Atmos capable.
Shortlisted speakers:
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB53 / DB63 (newer gen).
Q Acoustics 3030i — sensitivity ~88 dB, nominal imp 6 Ω (min 4 Ω), FR 46 Hz–30 kHz, recommended amp power 25–75 W (AVR 2-ch driven 50–145 W).
Q Acoustics 3020i — smaller sibling: sensitivity ~88 dB, FR ~64 Hz–30 kHz, recommended 25–75 W. (worth as it's on sale.
please reply with your impressions if you’ve auditioned/own these. Or suggest alternatives in same price brackets.
Since I want to be able to audition the speakers, I have some questions.
Which of these speakers gave better soundstand and slam which are important for movies ?
1. Which had better soundstage & imaging for immersive effects?
2. Tonal balance
I prefer warm sound. So do any of these sound too bright or too forward in the upper mids?
3. Bass & sub pairing
Which one integrated better with a sub? Which required less sub volume to feel “full”?
4. Match with Denon AVR-X1800H
Any known synergy / issues pairing these with Denon receivers. So you recommend this AvR? (Audyssey config, speaker sensitivity/power matching, dynamic headroom)?
My own thinking is that since my room is small (12×14) — so I don’t need giant speakers. Bookshelves are fine, but bass extension will depend on speaker and sub.
ELAC 3 claims slightly deeper extension (44 Hz) but is a bit darker on paper (sensitivity 87 dB). Q Acoustics 3030i claims 46 Hz and 88 dB — sensitivity difference is small and not a dealbreaker. The Denon’s 80 W/ch should drive any of these fine, though Q Acoustics lists a recommended stereo amp range lower (25–75 W) but also an AVR 2-ch driven spec up to 145 W — so the Denon fits comfortably.
I’ll definitely add a sub — so full-range LF extension from the standmounts is less critical than midrange clarity, dynamics, and timbral accuracy.
What I have gathered from YouTube videos is that (tell me why I’m wrong!)
For movie-first use in a small room with a sub, I’m leaning toward the Q Acoustics 3030i for its praised midrange clarity, imaging and the 6.5" woofer — should combine well with a decent sub for effects. But ELAC is often called a punchy value option and can be more dynamic for action.
Please help

Thanks — I’ll order online if without audition. Really keen on hearing real-world impressions (especially comparisons between these three models) before pulling the trigger.
Denon AVR-X1800H (7.2 ch, ~80 W/ch).
Room is 12 × 14 ft.
Use: 90% movies / 10% music.
I will add a sub later (so the bookshelf pair will be mainly left/right/front surrounds depending on config). I will get the matching centre channel later because of budget constraints. For surrounds, I will manage with my old speakers for the time being.
Gear / constraints
AVR: Denon AVR-X1800H — 80 W/ch, Dolby Atmos capable.
Shortlisted speakers:
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB53 / DB63 (newer gen).
Q Acoustics 3030i — sensitivity ~88 dB, nominal imp 6 Ω (min 4 Ω), FR 46 Hz–30 kHz, recommended amp power 25–75 W (AVR 2-ch driven 50–145 W).
Q Acoustics 3020i — smaller sibling: sensitivity ~88 dB, FR ~64 Hz–30 kHz, recommended 25–75 W. (worth as it's on sale.
please reply with your impressions if you’ve auditioned/own these. Or suggest alternatives in same price brackets.
Since I want to be able to audition the speakers, I have some questions.
Which of these speakers gave better soundstand and slam which are important for movies ?
1. Which had better soundstage & imaging for immersive effects?
2. Tonal balance
I prefer warm sound. So do any of these sound too bright or too forward in the upper mids?
3. Bass & sub pairing
Which one integrated better with a sub? Which required less sub volume to feel “full”?
4. Match with Denon AVR-X1800H
Any known synergy / issues pairing these with Denon receivers. So you recommend this AvR? (Audyssey config, speaker sensitivity/power matching, dynamic headroom)?
My own thinking is that since my room is small (12×14) — so I don’t need giant speakers. Bookshelves are fine, but bass extension will depend on speaker and sub.
ELAC 3 claims slightly deeper extension (44 Hz) but is a bit darker on paper (sensitivity 87 dB). Q Acoustics 3030i claims 46 Hz and 88 dB — sensitivity difference is small and not a dealbreaker. The Denon’s 80 W/ch should drive any of these fine, though Q Acoustics lists a recommended stereo amp range lower (25–75 W) but also an AVR 2-ch driven spec up to 145 W — so the Denon fits comfortably.
I’ll definitely add a sub — so full-range LF extension from the standmounts is less critical than midrange clarity, dynamics, and timbral accuracy.
What I have gathered from YouTube videos is that (tell me why I’m wrong!)
For movie-first use in a small room with a sub, I’m leaning toward the Q Acoustics 3030i for its praised midrange clarity, imaging and the 6.5" woofer — should combine well with a decent sub for effects. But ELAC is often called a punchy value option and can be more dynamic for action.
Please help


Thanks — I’ll order online if without audition. Really keen on hearing real-world impressions (especially comparisons between these three models) before pulling the trigger.