Short answer: the Q Acoustics 3020i for better sound quality, the JBL Control 1 Pro for the lower price. The Q Acoustics 3020i ranks #39 of 56 bookshelf speakers at $314.99. The JBL Control 1 Pro ranks #46 at $164, $150.99 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 JBL Control 1 Pro offers: Magnetically shielded transducers and a rugged molded enclosure make it a durable choice for wall-mount or install use, with SonicGuard overload protection built into the crossover. Watch for: Sound power and predicted in-room response measurements are badly uneven compared to the JBL 305P Mark II tested alongside it.
Buy the Q Acoustics 3020i if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Control 1 Pro if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the JBL Control 1 Pro. It ranks near the bottom of the 56 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Q Acoustics 3020i | JBL Control 1 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $314.99 | $164 |
| Ranked | #39 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #46 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 125mm (5") bass driver, 22mm (0.9") tweeter | 5.25" low frequency driver, 0.75" polycarbonate dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 10.9"H x 6.7"W x 11.1"D (278 x 170 x 282 mm) | 9.3H x 6.3W x 5.6D in |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs / 4.8 kg each | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz | - |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum | 4 ohms |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, reflex | sealed |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz - 20kHz -10dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 150W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Stage A120 vs Fluance Signature HFS
- Fluance Signature HFS vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
- JBL Stage A120 vs Polk T15
- Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Micca RB42
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- 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 Fluance Signature HFS
- See all 17 comparisons
JBL Control 1 Pro: $164 Parts Express
Pros: Magnetically shielded transducers and a rugged molded enclosure make it a durable choice for wall-mount or install use, with SonicGuard overload protection built into the crossover. Feels solidly built despite the low price, and the professional crossover network uses steep slopes.
Cons: Sound power and predicted in-room response measurements are badly uneven compared to the JBL 305P Mark II tested alongside it, with no waveguide to control directivity as the woofer beams before handing off to the tweeter. The reviewer performed no distortion or dedicated listening test on this unit and concluded he didn’t “think there is a reason to purchase it” over a proper studio monitor at a similar price.
Full JBL Control 1 Pro review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 9.3H x 6.3W x 5.6D in |
| Drivers | 5.25" low frequency driver, 0.75" polycarbonate dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz -10dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Power Handling | 150W |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Polk T15
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Fluance Signature HFS
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs JBL Stage A130
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Q Acoustics 5020
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Micca RB42
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Klipsch R-41M
- See all 12 comparisons