Short answer: the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini is the proven choice, measured and ranked among bookshelf speakers, while the newer Q Acoustics 3020c has no independent measurements yet and can only be compared on specs.
The case for the Q Acoustics 3020c: Two-way bass reflex design with a 120mm (4.75”) Continuous Curved Cone woofer and a 22mm soft dome tweeter crossed over at 2.6kHz.
On the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini side: Gorgeous looks and finish options for the price.
On paper: The Philharmonic Ceramic Mini is rated down to 55Hz against 60Hz, though makers quote these at different tolerances. The Q Acoustics 3020c is more sensitive, 87dB against 82dB, so it needs less amplifier power to play loud.
Price: the Q Acoustics 3020c lists at $639 and the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini at $900.
Buy the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini if you want a speaker whose sound quality has been measured and ranked. It also has deeper rated bass.
Buy the Q Acoustics 3020c if you want higher sensitivity, and you can wait for measurements to confirm how it sounds.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Q Acoustics 3020c | Philharmonic Ceramic Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $639.00 per pair | $900 per pair |
| Ranked | - | #2 of 88 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 120mm (4.75”) C3 cone woofer, 22mm soft dome tweeter | 5.25” ceramic woofer, 1” ceramic dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz-30kHz, -6dB (manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 20kHz (+1.5/-3dB, Manufacturer specified, ported) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 82dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms min, 15 ohms max) (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 25-90W | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | 2kHz (Linkwitz-Riley 4th order) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Dimensions | 279H x 175W x 281D mm | 12” x 8.5” x 11.3” (305 x 216 x 286 mm) |
| Weight | 5.5 kg each | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) |
| Cabinet Color | white, walnut, oak, black | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 36Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Country | - | USA (Vienna, Virginia) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.77 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.78 |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Q Acoustics 3020c: $639.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the Q Acoustics 3020i (rated 2.4/5).
Pros: Two-way bass reflex design with a 120mm (4.75”) Continuous Curved Cone woofer and a 22mm soft dome tweeter crossed over at 2.6kHz. Q Acoustics rates sensitivity at 87dB, easy to drive from a 25W amplifier, and response at 60Hz to 30kHz (-6dB). Four finishes.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. Minimum impedance drops to 3.7 ohms, and rated bass stops at 60Hz (-6dB), so plan on a subwoofer for full-range listening. It costs noticeably more than the 3020i it replaces.
Full Q Acoustics 3020c review and specifications →
| Cabinet Color | white, walnut, oak, black |
|---|---|
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz |
| Dimensions | 279H x 175W x 281D mm |
| Drivers | 120mm (4.75”) C3 cone woofer, 22mm soft dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz-30kHz, -6dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | 25-90W |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 5.5 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- These figures are manufacturer-specified rather than independently measured.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini: $900 per pair Philharmonic Audio eBay
Pros: Gorgeous looks and finish options for the price. Very low midrange distortion for the size, well under 1% above about 400-500Hz. Excellent on-axis linearity. Mild, pleasant bass bump around 100Hz that adds welcome warmth without being excessive. Wide soundstage and dispersion (~70-80 degrees horizontally). Clean cabinet and port with no measured resonances. A great value combination of looks and performance at this price. Measured bass extension of 51Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 82dB.
Cons: Somewhat limited output capability for its size: audible woofer compression (“flopping”) around 95dB at 3 meters for a stereo pair, so keep to moderate levels or pair with a subwoofer for home theater use. A mild diffraction-related dip around 4-6kHz can cause occasional sibilance on some vocal tracks. Measured sensitivity (82.2dB average) runs a bit below the manufacturer’s claimed 84dB, so it needs more amp power than the spec alone suggests. Needs a subwoofer for real bass authority below about 40Hz.
Full Philharmonic Ceramic Mini review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Country | USA (Vienna, Virginia) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2kHz (Linkwitz-Riley 4th order) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12” x 8.5” x 11.3” (305 x 216 x 286 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” ceramic woofer, 1” ceramic dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (+1.5/-3dB, Manufacturer specified, ported) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms min, 15 ohms max) (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 82dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.77 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.78 |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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