Short answer: the Q Acoustics 3020i for better sound quality, the Fluance Signature HFS for the lower price. The Q Acoustics 3020i ranks #39 of 56 bookshelf speakers at $314.99. The Fluance Signature HFS ranks #45 at $199.99, $115 cheaper.
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.
What the Fluance Signature HFS offers: Front-facing port and pre-installed wall-mount brackets make it flexible for bookshelf or surround/height duty. Watch for: CEA2034 spinorama shows serious flaws in the midrange - both the direct sound and the directivity are compromised, a combination the reviewer flagged as poor for controlled listening tests.
Buy the Q Acoustics 3020i if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Fluance Signature HFS if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Fluance Signature HFS. It ranks near the bottom of the 56 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Q Acoustics 3020i | Fluance Signature HFS | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $314.99 | $199.99 |
| Ranked | #39 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #45 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 125mm (5") bass driver, 22mm (0.9") tweeter | 1" neodymium silk dome tweeter (ferrofluid cooled), 5" glass-fiber-treated woofer (butyl rubber surround) |
| Dimensions | 10.9"H x 6.7"W x 11.1"D (278 x 170 x 282 mm) | 12.8H x 7.87W x 8.22D in |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs / 4.8 kg each | 9.7 lbs each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz | - |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum | 8 ohms |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, reflex | ported, front |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Power Handling | - | 30-120W recommended |
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The Two Speakers In Full
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 |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs KEF Q100
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Micca RB42
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs JBL Stage A120
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Q Acoustics 5020
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs JBL Stage A130
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs JBL L52 Classic
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
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Fluance Signature HFS: $199.99 Amazon
Pros: Front-facing port and pre-installed wall-mount brackets make it flexible for bookshelf or surround/height duty. Distortion in the low end is well controlled per the measurements, and the glossy front baffle adds a touch of style well beyond the budget price.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows serious flaws in the midrange - both the direct sound and the directivity are compromised, a combination the reviewer flagged as poor for controlled listening tests. Multiple attempted EQ fixes “could not rescue” the sound, and the reviewer said the result was “close” to the lowest possible rating. Online reviews seeded by the company were positive; the reviewer’s measured and subjective experience was not.
Full Fluance Signature HFS review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 12.8H x 7.87W x 8.22D in |
| Drivers | 1" neodymium silk dome tweeter (ferrofluid cooled), 5" glass-fiber-treated woofer (butyl rubber surround) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 30-120W recommended |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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