hifimaddy
Well-Known Member
The Q Acoustics 3030 or 3020 are warm-sounding speakers; they will be a good match for the Denon.
ELAC Debut 3.0 B6.3 vs Q Acoustics 3020i / 3030i need first-hand impressions 🙏
- Thread starter Rupam
- Start date
No idea about its synergy with Denon AVRs. I don't use AVRs. 3030i has a warm sound signature. Unless you have a fairly large room, 3030i have a tendency to sound a little boomy.
Rupam
Well-Known Member
Any other options ?
Try Wharfedale 12.1 or 12.2
WhatHiFi team paired Diamond 12.1 with Denon X2800. You can find their analysis here.
www.whathifi.com
WhatHiFi team paired Diamond 12.1 with Denon X2800. You can find their analysis here.
Best surround sound systems 2025: home cinema speakers and soundbars put to the test
The perfect home theatre solutions for every budget and space
Rupam
Well-Known Member
Thanks a lot @ItsBabu I was thinking about Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 Bookshelf Speaker. I have hard them in my friends please the sound very good. Very well bought it warm sound with quite a lot of lower frequency and adequate detail. I really like the imaging.Try Wharfedale 12.1 or 12.2
WhatHiFi team paired Diamond 12.1 with Denon X2800. You can find their analysis here.
Best surround sound systems 2025: home cinema speakers and soundbars put to the test
The perfect home theatre solutions for every budget and space
If you are particular about Q Acoustics, the 3020i is very good. If you can shed a few more dough, the concept 20 is a magnificent speaker.
I am also planning to build the same and confused between these 3:
AVR: Denon x1800h - 48K @ AVShack
Bookshelf + Center:
Wharfedale: Out of stock everywhere
ELAC: Will most probably be going with them due to the neutral sound
AVR: Denon x1800h - 48K @ AVShack
Bookshelf + Center:
- ELAC 3.0 DC5.3 + Center
- Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 + Center
- QA 3020i + 3090ci
Wharfedale: Out of stock everywhere
ELAC: Will most probably be going with them due to the neutral sound
Ive heard the elac debut 3.0 series and the q acoustics 3030is, the elac was warm sounding, the q acoustics was paired with a strong amp ( i dont remember the amp) but it was very punchy, tight and clear. Well above my expectations and would be my pick if the main purpose is musicHi 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.
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