Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used, though neither ranks well in its class. Used, the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) is the better pick: it ranks #63 of 90 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 2.8/5), against #72 (rated 2.4/5) for the Q Acoustics 3020i. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 90 bookshelf speakers, and the Ascend Acoustics HTM-200SE2, ranked #7 at $368, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
Buy the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Ascend Acoustics HTM-200SE2 instead.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) | Q Acoustics 3020i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $168 per pair Discontinued | $314.99 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #63 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #72 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 49.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1x 4” curvilinear-cone woofer (stock Pioneer), 1x Peerless BC25TG15 1” silk dome tweeter (replacement) | 125mm (5”) bass driver, 22mm (0.9”) tweeter |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) | 10.6 lbs (4.8 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (approx. 5 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) | 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum |
| Crossover Frequency | 3000Hz | 2.4kHz |
| Dimensions | 12.6”H x 7.1”W x 8.5”D (320.0 x 180.0 x 215.0 mm) | 10.9”H x 6.7”W x 11.1”D (278 x 170 x 282 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, reflex |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.07 | 3.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.82 | 6.38 |
| DIY Kit | Yes | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod): $168 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: This is Dennis Murphy’s “Affordable Accuracy Monitor” (AAM) mod of the discontinued, budget Pioneer SP-BS22-LR: the stock tweeter is swapped for a Peerless BC25TG15 dome and a redesigned 3rd-order crossover is built to match it to the stock 4” woofer. CEA2034 spinorama shows only small variations from a flat on-axis response with some directivity error near the crossover, a marked improvement over the unmodified Pioneer, which the reviewer notes shows much more variation from flat. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is reasonably controlled above 200Hz, and tweeter distortion barely rises even at 96dB SPL/1m. Measured bass extension of 78Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83dB.
Cons: Some directivity error appears near the crossover frequency. Distortion climbs in the woofer’s range (below 200Hz) at both 86dB and 96dB SPL/1m. Minimum impedance dips to about 5 ohms with a couple of resonance peaks. This is a DIY project, not a finished retail product: Murphy sold ~$168 pre-built pairs for a while but no longer does, so it now requires sourcing a used/discontinued Pioneer SP-BS22-LR pair plus building the crossover and swapping the tweeter yourself. The mod itself is public domain, but there is no current turnkey way to buy this speaker.
Full Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 3000Hz |
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| Dimensions | 12.6”H x 7.1”W x 8.5”D (320.0 x 180.0 x 215.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4” curvilinear-cone woofer (stock Pioneer), 1x Peerless BC25TG15 1” silk dome tweeter (replacement) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (approx. 5 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.82 |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Q Acoustics 3020i: $314.99 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Q Acoustics 3020c. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we don’t have measurements to confirm that yet.
Pros: UK-designed (Finkteam) with attractive styling, including recessed binding posts and custom connectors. Vertical directivity is good enough that the tweeter doesn’t need to be exactly at ear level. With EQ correction, especially high-frequency shelving and a sub-40Hz high-pass filter, Amir found performance “improves substantially.”. Measured bass extension of 82.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: On-axis response shows a rising upper-frequency trend and a dip in the 2-4kHz crossover region alongside two resonance-related dips; a significant resonance appears at 366Hz in the waterfall plot. Horizontal directivity is narrow and uneven due to a woofer/tweeter beamwidth mismatch. Amir cautions the speaker is “merely a distortion generator” if played too low, and its low impedance demands a quality amplifier. Without EQ, Amir “can’t recommend the Q Acoustics 3020i.”. Discontinued; Q Acoustics now sells the 3030i and 3010c in its place.
Full Q Acoustics 3020i review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9”H x 6.7”W x 11.1”D (278 x 170 x 282 mm) |
| Drivers | 125mm (5”) bass driver, 22mm (0.9”) tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.38 |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs (4.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, reflex |
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