Short answer: the Klipsch RP-500M II for better sound quality, the Q Acoustics 3020i for the lower price. The Klipsch RP-500M II ranks #17 of 71 bookshelf speakers at $389.99. The Q Acoustics 3020i ranks #54 at $314.99, $75 cheaper.
What the Q Acoustics 3020i offers: 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.” Watch for: 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.”
What the Klipsch RP-500M II offers: Major mid-range clarity improvement over the original RP-500M: about a 5dB fill-in between 1-3kHz in the estimated in-room response, giving a noticeably more resolved, detailed midrange. More neutral and linear overall than its sibling RP-600M II, which carries about 2-3dB more high-frequency energy and a touch more bass but less overall balance. Very precise soundstage imaging and instrument placement. Distortion through the midrange is cleaner than the previous generation. Watch for: Klipsch’s quoted sensitivity (around 92-93dB) uses an unconventional in-room-based rating rather than the standard anechoic measurement; on an anechoic basis it measures closer to about 85dB, in line with typical bookshelf speakers this size, so it isn’t the outlier in efficiency the spec sheet implies. Horizontal dispersion of about ±40-50° is narrower and more directive than the reviewer’s preference for a wider, more enveloping soundstage. Toeing the speaker out to widen the soundstage or soften on-axis brightness comes at some cost to imaging precision. Slightly less clean in the tweeter region than the midrange, likely tied to crossover placement, though not considered a dealbreaker. Low-frequency output is limited - measured around 95dB at 4 meters for the pair before the woofers started to unload, so a subwoofer is recommended for anyone wanting real bass rather than stepping up to a larger model.
Buy the Q Acoustics 3020i if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Klipsch RP-500M II if sound quality matters more than the price.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Q Acoustics 3020i. It ranks near the bottom of the 71 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Q Acoustics 3020i | Klipsch RP-500M II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $314.99 | $389.99 |
| Ranked | #54 of 71 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #17 of 71 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 125mm (5") bass driver, 22mm (0.9") tweeter | 5.25" Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1" LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn |
| Dimensions | 10.9"H x 6.7"W x 11.1"D (278 x 170 x 282 mm) | 13.6"H x 6.8"W x 10.6"D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs / 4.8 kg each | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 85dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz | 1530Hz |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, reflex | ported, rear |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
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- JBL Studio 530 vs Q Acoustics 3020i
Prices on this page were last checked August 24, 2026 at 6:53 AM 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 3020i: $314.99 Amazon eBay
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 →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| 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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Klipsch RP-500M II: $389.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Major mid-range clarity improvement over the original RP-500M: about a 5dB fill-in between 1-3kHz in the estimated in-room response, giving a noticeably more resolved, detailed midrange. More neutral and linear overall than its sibling RP-600M II, which carries about 2-3dB more high-frequency energy and a touch more bass but less overall balance. Very precise soundstage imaging and instrument placement. Distortion through the midrange is cleaner than the previous generation.
Cons: Klipsch’s quoted sensitivity (around 92-93dB) uses an unconventional in-room-based rating rather than the standard anechoic measurement; on an anechoic basis it measures closer to about 85dB, in line with typical bookshelf speakers this size, so it isn’t the outlier in efficiency the spec sheet implies. Horizontal dispersion of about ±40-50° is narrower and more directive than the reviewer’s preference for a wider, more enveloping soundstage. Toeing the speaker out to widen the soundstage or soften on-axis brightness comes at some cost to imaging precision. Slightly less clean in the tweeter region than the midrange, likely tied to crossover placement, though not considered a dealbreaker. Low-frequency output is limited - measured around 95dB at 4 meters for the pair before the woofers started to unload, so a subwoofer is recommended for anyone wanting real bass rather than stepping up to a larger model.
Full Klipsch RP-500M II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1530Hz |
| Dimensions | 13.6"H x 6.8"W x 10.6"D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25" Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1" LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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