Short answer: the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod). It ranks #33 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $168; the Q Acoustics 3020i ranks #39 and costs $314.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) side: This is Dennis Murphy’s “Affordable Accuracy Monitor” (AAM) mod of the discontinued. Set against that: Some directivity error appears near the crossover frequency.
What the Q Acoustics 3020i gets right: UK-designed (Finkteam) with attractive styling, including recessed binding posts and custom connectors. The catch: 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.
Buy the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod). It ranks higher for sound quality than the Q Acoustics 3020i and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) | Q Acoustics 3020i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $168 | $314.99 |
| Ranked | #33 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #39 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (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 |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod): $168
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.
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 |
| 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) |
| Weight | 9 lbs / 4.1 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Q Acoustics 3020i: $314.99 Amazon
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.”
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.”
Full Q Acoustics 3020i review and specifications →
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz |
|---|---|
| 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) |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs / 4.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, reflex |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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