I am trying to decide whether to buy the Q Acoustics BT3.

[Green Bow]

I want some desktop speakers and an considering the Q Acoustics BT3. I have ruled out other competitors at this price, for varied reasons and settled on the BT3. However there is another option, to buy the Q Acoustics 3020 and the Onkyo A9010 amplifier.

Either package would be similar in price. The separates would be more expensive once some good speaker cable was priced in.

The pros list for the BT3 are: Less desktop space as having a separate amplifier would be an issue. Easier to move about if I wanted to move it to use with a TV.

The pros list for separates are: I think the 3020 are probably a better speaker than the BT3. I think the Onkyo A9010 is probably a better amplifier than is in the BT3.

Does anyone think there is a clear cut case for the 3020 - Onkyo A9010 being a clear winner? What's difficult to evaluate is how good the BT3 would be as a passive speaker and make a comparison. The BT3 is also fairly old now and newer version of Q Acoustics speakers beat the old versions in reviews. However I really would struggle for space for a separate amplifier.

 

[drummerman]

Convenience and space for the BT3. Apart from that I've read only good things about it.

 

[Green Bow]

I keep looking at my desktop and trying to figure out if I could fit an amplifier on it. It would mean migrating my PC off the desktop to make space for it.

That's why I am asking really, whether the separates option is substantially better and worth making space for. I know how great separates can sound when they fill a room with deep soundstage. However for most of the time with this set up, the desktop speakers would be listened to at close up. Overall though detail and clarity must come into consideration.

 

[davedotco]

I keep looking at my desktop and trying to figure out if I could fit an amplifier on it. It would mean migrating my PC off the desktop to make space for it.

That's why I am asking really, whether the separates option is substantially better and worth making space for. I know how great separates can sound when they fill a room with deep soundstage. However for most of the time with this set up, the desktop speakers would be listened to at close up. Overall though detail and clarity must come into consideration.

A lot of what you are paying for in the case of the Bt3 and even the separates setup, is the pre-amp functions, flexibility and remote contol. Whilst very useful in some situations this is overkill for many desktop/computer applications.

As long as you have full control in the computer, ie your software player, and no other sources there are plenty of better options to be had. It means looking outside the usual hi-fi dealers and product but if your computer outputs a decent signal with control of volume a pair of Presonus Eris 5s for round £200 will blow the BT3s into the weeds.

 

[drummerman]

I keep looking at my desktop and trying to figure out if I could fit an amplifier on it. It would mean migrating my PC off the desktop to make space for it.

That's why I am asking really, whether the separates option is substantially better and worth making space for. I know how great separates can sound when they fill a room with deep soundstage. However for most of the time with this set up, the desktop speakers would be listened to at close up. Overall though detail and clarity must come into consideration.

A lot of what you are paying for in the case of the Bt3 and even the separates setup, is the pre-amp functions, flexibility and remote contol. Whilst very useful in some situations this is overkill for many desktop/computer applications.

As long as you have full control in the computer, ie your software player, and no other sources there are plenty of better options to be had. It means looking outside the usual hi-fi dealers and product but if your computer outputs a decent signal with control of volume a pair of Presonus Eris 5s for round £200 will blow the BT3s into the weeds.

I had the dubious 'pleasure' of hearing 'pro monitors' at my local ProMusic Store.

All the cheap 'monitors' sounded ... well ... cheap (to me) with only Adam Ribbon ones approaching anything that was listenable to these tentative ears, at £400 a piece.

Just because something comes out of a 'Pro' outlet and is active does by no means indicate that Pro's would actually use it.

QAcoustic have not made any duff products yet as far as I know so they have impeccable pedigree.

K.H.Fink was involved in voicing the things and drivers are, as far as I know, made to QAcoustics specs, perhaps even in-house though feel free to correct me on that one.

Personally, moi, I'd go with the BT3 anytime, even if not auditioned. It has been voiced for Hifi rather than bedroom DJ's. Actually, a pair featured in HifiChoices Dealer System with an equally red Rega Turntable as the cheapest system of the customary three normally featured.

I know you love your active 'monitors' and if you suggest some Adam's with a Benchmark Pre or similar I'd probably agree (to an extent, looks not one of them).

Honestly, who wants 'flat measuring', probably horrid sounding 'Pro' gear for home use (sorry, I have to point 'Pro' out as I don't believe your example here even starts to approach anything that would be used in that context by any self respecting 'Pro').

And yes, I have read the SOS editorial.

Rant over.

Happy weekend everyone x

 

[drummerman]

First thought is usually the correct one, even if you regret it later

 

[Green Bow]

To be honest I think I have done as much as I possibly can in looking at options. I looked over £600 Kefs, the Genelecs, all the What Hi-Fi mentioned options. I even dug out a June What Hi-Fi from 2010, and re-read the group test including a £2000 pair of PCM, and others starting at £600. Then I went off looking for second hand pairs.

However eventually I settled on the BT3 because it met all my criteria. The price is more than I want to pay. I am a little sceptical I will hear what I want at this price. I don't want to spend more though realistically at this point in time.

I don't think I am interested in considering other options. I am asking what thoughts are between the BT3 and the 3020+Onkyo A9010. I am willing to bet the 3020 will do more detail. (There is always the issue with less than detailed kit . That being where you feel the need to turn it up to hear more detail.)

Quite frankly though, I am exhausted searching online and scouring reviews. I did check out the Presonus Eris 5s, but I am not convinced they are for me. I like the BT3 remote control function, and there is no more pre-amp on the BT3 than the Presonus. The BT3 does have a DAC though: it packs a lot in really. Even if I don't intially intend to use the DAC in the BT3. (Thanks though davedotco.)

 

[davedotco]

I had the dubious 'pleasure' of hearing 'pro monitors' at my local ProMusic Store.

All the cheap 'monitors' sounded ... well ... cheap (to me) with only Adam Ribbon ones approaching anything that was listenable to these tentative ears, at £400 a piece.

Just because something comes out of a 'Pro' outlet and is active does by no means indicate that Pro's would actually use it.

QAcoustic have not made any duff products yet as far as I know so they have impeccable pedigree.

K.H.Fink was involved in voicing the things and drivers are, as far as I know, made to QAcoustics specs, perhaps even in-house though feel free to correct me on that one.

Personally, moi, I'd go with the BT3 anytime, even if not auditioned. It has been voiced for Hifi rather than bedroom DJ's. Actually, a pair featured in HifiChoices Dealer System with an equally red Rega Turntable as the cheapest system of the customary three normally featured.

I know you love your active 'monitors' and if you suggest some Adam's with a Benchmark Pre or similar I'd probably agree (to an extent, looks not one of them).

Honestly, who wants 'flat measuring', probably horrid sounding 'Pro' gear for home use (sorry, I have to point 'Pro' out as I don't believe your example here even starts to approach anything that would be used in that context by any self respecting 'Pro').

And yes, I have read the SOS editorial.

Rant over.

Happy weekend everyone x

You seem to have something of a bee in your bonnet about this.....*unknw*

No one in their right mind is suggesting that a pair of £200 active monitors are genuine 'professional quality' monitors, they are all part of the 'home recording', 'project studio' scene, what the americans call 'prosumer'.

Like pretty much any product there are good examples and poor examples and just as in hi-fi some of the worst examples come from the biggest brand names. Sadly a lot of music shops who sell this equipment simply go along with what sells, and like hi-fi, this is primarily to do with branding.

Some of the better examples, even at these prices, offer outstanding performance for the money but in one aspect you are quite right, they are voiced differently to most budget hi-fi. Additionally these are most likely heard in unusual surroundings, not the familier comfort of the hi-fi dealer and for hi-fi users the demonstrations are not what they are used to.

When auditioned in more 'normal' surroundings their strengths are more easily appreciated, but that said, budget hi-fi has a distinctive sound all of it's own, something that is usually missing from the better actives, a lot of hi-fi enthusiasts simply can not come to terms with that.

That said, the BT3s are undoubtably a good product, looked at in the whole they are a flexible, complete solution in the way that, say, the Eris 5s are not, though they are, at £350, rather more expensive.

Perhaps I should refrain from making too many comments on sound quality in these instances, I totally understand that most hi-fi enthusiasts do not 'get' actives at all but it is difficult to make suggestions without at least trying to offer some justification.

 

[knaithrover]

Audioengine A2's are quite stunning for the price. When I 1st tried mine I genuinely thought i'd switched on my Arcam/Dali set up by mistake...

Worth a look especially 2nd hand

 

[bigboss]

Peter Tyson have the BT3 on sale at a bargain price of £209.90 in case you haven't seen it already:

http://www.petertyson.co.uk/ebuttonz/ebz_product_pages/q_acoustics_bt3_bluetooth_speakers.shtml?gclid=CjwKEAiAs4qzBRD4l-2w7qOoqEMSJABauikXiJubeBRlmVOA4It1m8Ml4wMUVtTFoiqGgHznbFsxqBoCEYzw_wcB

 

[bigboss]

Peter Tyson have the BT3 on sale at a bargain price of £209.90 in case you haven't seen it already:

http://www.petertyson.co.uk/ebuttonz/ebz_product_pages/q_acoustics_bt3_b...

 

[Green Bow]

Yeah as said, I have scoured looking for the active speaker options which are available. @knaithrover, of course I came across the Audioengine and considered longingly the A5+. However in the end I opted for the BT3.

I really like the idea of the Audioengine A5+. With it not having a DAC I guess all the money is in the Analogue which is OK. Consdiering what we can buy the BT3 for now though I think it's the better deal. (Just for reference, I have seen What Hi-Fi talk about having a DAC in an amplifier. They say it makes it harder to get the analogue curcuits right though. Check out their review of the Onkyo A9010 where it's mentioned.) The A5+ also has no speaker grill which is a negative for me.

I also considered active studio monitors and drooled over the ATC SCM20ASL Pro, reviewed in the October 2015 What Hi-Fi. (Online review from What hi-Fi is available in these speakers.) However after all my searching I still settled on the BT3. I argued long and hard with myself between the Ruark Audio MR1 and the BT3. The MR1 are so much smaller and What Hi-Fi say they bridge the gap between audio and hi-fi. However they also rated the BT3 best desktop speaker at £350, therefor above the MR1. The MR1 needs to be near a wall to for the bass. Whereas the BT3 can be sat anywhere with it's front firing port.

I think the only issue I would have with the BT3 is I might be a little underwhelmed with it. What Hi-Fi say the bass is a little soft around the edges. They are a fairly old model and newer ones always seem to be better with Q Acoustics. It's geared towards a softer sound better for longer listens, as is my Meridian Explorer. Thus is might overall be a bit soft.

 

[bigboss]

Where did you order it from?

 

[drummerman]

There is also Blue Aura's X40 slim floorstanders or X30 compacts. The former in particular had very good reviews too.

However, I think for your purposes you've chosen wisely, especially for the money.

 

[wilro15]

I'm soon to be looking to buy something similar. For me it is down to the Ruarks, BT3s and the new Kef Eggs.

Do post back here with your opinions when you hear them.

 

[Green Bow]

I placed my order just a few minutes ago for the BT3. I had the usual doubts afterwards and looked again at What Hi-Fi's review of the Ruark Audio MR1. It states that the MR1 simply retrieve details that none of its rivals do. Detail retrieval is my passion.

Anyway I googled 'best desktop speaker' and took the What Hi-Fi link about desktop speakers 2015. I looked again at the fact that they place teh BT3 ats best speakers at £350, and the MR1 as best at £300. Decision made, even though What Hi-Fi didint make a specail point of details on the BT3.

I think the problem for me is the lack of options. There is the Kef X300a, but they are £800 on Amazon, and What hi-Fi gave them four-stars at £600. If there were a stand out option for more money than the BT3 I think I would have taken it. There just isn't the choice though. Separates win.

 

[drummerman]

There is/was also AVI's ADM5. An active speaker as opposed to a powered one.

Not sure if still available but a pre-amp is needed in any case.

 

[Green Bow]

There is/was also AVI's ADM5. An active speaker as opposed to a powered one.

Not sure if still available but a pre-amp is needed in any case.

Yeah I am going to have a look at some AVI ADM9 either tomorrow or Monday. I think they are too big though for desktop. The ADM9 is an old unit now though and was reviewed by What Hi-Fi back in 2006. I think the shop I am gong to see is asking a bit much.

The ADM5 is a better size than the ADM9 too but very little about it online. I think I might have been very interested were there more ADM5 information online.

To answer some of the questions I got asked:

I bought them from Amazon reduced. Not as good as the Peter Tyson price, but OK. Amazon have a painless return policy if anything goes wrong.

When I said I couldn't find a stand out product. I meant one that stands out above others and is said to be puching above it's price.

@wilro15w who asked for my impression for when I get the BT3. Yeah I will give a review. I still wonder like you if the MR1 might be a better option. I think they might be designed slightly better for being near-field. As with the Kef Egg. I don;t know though, as I said What Hi-Fi did rate them best desktop at £350.

 

[davedotco]

Are way to big and potent for desktop speakers, though to my mind they are an outstanding bargain at the current s/hand price of around £700-800.

This should get you a late model, either the 9RS (Red Spot), which replaced the old 9T or the latest 9SB which uses the super new Sinar Baja tweeter. Just to confuse things a little, there are a few 9SS 'specials' floating around which use the physically larger Scan Speak tweeter.

 

[bigboss]

Ok, because I would rate Peter Tyson much higher than Amazon. They are well respected retailers. I'm a Prime member myself and this month alone I've bought 15 items from Amazon. But when it comes to Hi Fi, I would buy from an independent Hi Fi retailer to support them.

Anyway, enjoy your purchase!

 

[Green Bow]

Ok, because I would rate Peter Tyson much higher than Amazon. They are well respected retailers. I'm a Prime member myself and this month alone I've bought 15 items from Amazon. But when it comes to Hi Fi, I would buy from an independent Hi Fi retailer to support them.

Anyway, enjoy your purchase!

I have heard very little about Peter Tyson, so was unsure whether to try them. I have heard lots of good things about Richer Sounds. There's a place called Nintronics which people say good stuff about too.

I don't know any of them though. The BT3 at £210 from Peter Tyson, look like an unadulterated bargain.

Anyway, I picked up a past copy of What Hi-Fi today and saw a kit called Dynaudio Xeo 4. They were not for me bcause they employ a transmitter. However after more googling, I discovered a new product from them called Dynaudio Xeo 2. These look tempting. Their size is serious desktop compatible too.

 

[bigboss]

I've only heard good things about Peter Tyson. Spoke to them on the phone once, they were very courteous. Good reviews on Trustpilot too. And here:

https://www.avforums.com/threads/peter-tyson-any-good.252696/

 

[DannyB]

Ok, because I would rate Peter Tyson much higher than Amazon. They are well respected retailers. I'm a Prime member myself and this month alone I've bought 15 items from Amazon. But when it comes to Hi Fi, I would buy from an independent Hi Fi retailer to support them.

Anyway, enjoy your purchase!

I have heard very little about Peter Tyson, so was unsure whether to try them. I have heard lots of good things about Richer Sounds. There's a place called Nintronics which people say good stuff about too.

I don't know any of them though. The BT3 at £210 from Peter Tyson, look like an unadulterated bargain.

Anyway, I picked up a past copy of What Hi-Fi today and saw a kit called Dynaudio Xeo 4. They were not for me bcause they employ a transmitter. However after more googling, I discovered a new product from them called Dynaudio Xeo 2. These look tempting. Their size is serious desktop compatible too.

The reason peter tyson have the BT3's so cheap is they have an exclusivity deal for the BT3's Vinyl colours, The more expensive BT3's that are £349 are gloss coloured, where peter tysons are vinyl.

 

[Vladimir]

echoe

 

[Vladimir]

In the budget segment one is better off buying passive speakers + amp than going active. Clicky

I remember DDC saying that there is one vital thing that gives even the active cheapies bigger appeal than passives and that is presence. That live, breathing infront of you sound. Now is this due to active topology or just because there is no bass to mask the midrange that much, less room interference etc. Thoughts?