Short answer: the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It ranks #38 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $399; the Audioengine HD4 ranks #54 and costs $429, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Audioengine A5+ Classic offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows a reasonably flat response outside of the upper bass. Internal Class AB amplification (50W RMS, 75W peak) with a linear power supply drives a 5” Kevlar woofer and 0.75” tweeter. Watch for: A valley in the upper bass (200-400Hz) recesses that range, and a distortion peak shows up around 800-900Hz even at 86dB SPL. Off-axis response doesn’t track the on-axis curve well through the crossover, suggesting the waveguide isn’t fully optimized. Resonances appear at 900Hz and 4.4kHz.
What the Audioengine HD4 offers: Rated 3.3 in the SpeakerRanking database. Watch for: Not a great sounding speaker for the high price.
Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Audioengine HD4 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Audioengine HD4. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | Audioengine HD4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $429.00 |
| Ranked | #38 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #54 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Dimensions | 10.9"H x 7.2"W x 9.7"D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs / 7 kg (left/powered), 9.7 lbs / 4.4 kg (right) | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
| Drivers | 5" Kevlar woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| DSP | No | - |
| Output Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Inputs | - | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Outputs | - | RCA Output |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 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
Audioengine A5+ Classic: $399.00 Amazon Bhphotovideo eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a reasonably flat response outside of the upper bass. Internal Class AB amplification (50W RMS, 75W peak) with a linear power supply drives a 5” Kevlar woofer and 0.75” tweeter.
Cons: A valley in the upper bass (200-400Hz) recesses that range, and a distortion peak shows up around 800-900Hz even at 86dB SPL. Off-axis response doesn’t track the on-axis curve well through the crossover, suggesting the waveguide isn’t fully optimized. Resonances appear at 900Hz and 4.4kHz.
Full Audioengine A5+ Classic review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9"H x 7.2"W x 9.7"D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" Kevlar woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs / 7 kg (left/powered), 9.7 lbs / 4.4 kg (right) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Audioengine HD4: $429.00 Amazon eBay
Cons: Not a great sounding speaker for the high price.
Full Audioengine HD4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | RCA Output |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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