Short answer: the JBL Stage A130 for directivity, the Q Acoustics 3020i for fewer tonal problems, though neither ranks well in its class. Past the tweeter crossover the A130 holds a more constant pattern than the smaller A120, but it still shows a bass bump, a midrange dip and a cabinet-resonance peak around 800Hz-1.7kHz confirmed by accelerometer testing. The 3020i answers with a 2-4kHz crossover dip and a resonance at 366Hz. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 90 bookshelf speakers; for better sound, the Ascend Acoustics HTM-200SE2 ranks #7 at $368.
Buy the Q Acoustics 3020i 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
| Q Acoustics 3020i | JBL Stage A130 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $314.99 per pair Discontinued | $399 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #72 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #78 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 125mm (5”) bass driver, 22mm (0.9”) tweeter | 5.25” (133mm) polycellulose woofer, 1” (25mm) aluminum dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 10.9”H x 6.7”W x 11.1”D (278 x 170 x 282 mm) | 12.6”H x 7.5”W x 9.1”D (321 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs (4.8 kg) each | 12 lbs (5.45 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 85.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz | 3.2kHz |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum | 6 ohms nominal, about 4.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, reflex | ported |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.86 | 4.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.38 | 6.51 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Q Acoustics 3020i compares with other leading options:
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Ascend Sierra 1 v2
- KEF LS50 Meta vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Arendal 1961 Monitor
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Revel M105
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Klipsch RP-500M II
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The Two Speakers In Full
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 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs KEF Q100
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- Q Acoustics 3020i vs JBL Stage A120
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Q Acoustics 5020
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JBL Stage A130: $399 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Stage 250B, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5.
Pros: More constant, better-behaved directivity than the smaller A120 once past the tweeter crossover point, giving a more consistent radiation pattern that likely explains some of its positive reception among other reviewers. Distortion at 96dB measures slightly better than a direct competitor (Emotiva Airmotiv B1+) in the low end, though slightly worse at high frequencies. The tweeter itself sounded decent to the reviewer, who considers it a reasonable value at its price point despite other reservations. Wide, well-filled horizontal radiation through the midrange. Measured bass extension of 66Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.2dB.
Cons: Still shows the same underlying “Batman”-shaped response pattern as the A120: a bass bump, a midrange dip, a cabinet-resonance peak around 800Hz-1.7kHz (confirmed via accelerometer testing on the cabinet panels), and roughly a 5dB treble bump around 10kHz. Does not include a port bung, so sealed-cabinet listening requires DIY stuffing rather than a proper factory solution. The reviewer’s own measurements notably diverge from another well-known publication’s results on this same model, possibly reflecting a running production change, though this couldn’t be confirmed. Overall sound quality struck the reviewer as not a good-sounding speaker despite the more favorable measurements relative to the A120. Output-limited at extreme volumes (102dB), similar to its smaller sibling. Loses to the similarly-priced Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ in overall linearity and neutrality, according to the reviewer’s direct comparison. Discontinued.
Full JBL Stage A130 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 3.2kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6”H x 7.5”W x 9.1”D (321 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” (133mm) polycellulose woofer, 1” (25mm) aluminum dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, about 4.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.51 |
| Weight | 12 lbs (5.45 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
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- JBL Stage A130 vs Fluance Signature HFS
- JBL Stage A130 vs JBL Control 1 Pro
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