Short answer: the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It ranks #27 of 65 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $399; the Audioengine HD6 ranks #51 and costs $817.44, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
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 HD6 offers: Rated 3.7 in the SpeakerRanking database. Watch for: A bit of an accentuated treble and bass. Slight dip in the midrange.
Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Audioengine HD6 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Skip the Audioengine HD6 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 65 powered bookshelf speakers.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | Audioengine HD6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 per pair | $817.44 per pair |
| Ranked | #27 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #51 of 65 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) | 11.7"H x 7.2"W x 10"D (298.4 x 184.1 x 254 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz-40KHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) | 17.4 lbs (7.9 kg) |
| Drivers | 5" Kevlar woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter | 5.5" (140mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.68 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.15 | - |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| Inputs | - | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input, Digital Optical |
| Bluetooth | - | Yes, 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Audioengine A5+ Classic:
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Genelec 8331A
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Genelec 8030C
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Audioengine A5+ Classic: $399.00 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 3.68 standalone and 6.15 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. The analog powered pair is straightforward to use without an external amplifier. The measured result supports a more capable tonal balance than its former low position suggested. Measured bass extension of 68Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments. The existing review reports crossover-region directivity errors and a distortion feature around 800-900Hz. The score does not make it a reference monitor, and adding a subwoofer cannot correct those midrange and off-axis issues.
Full Audioengine A5+ Classic review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
|---|---|
| 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) |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.68 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.15 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs KEF LSX II LT
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Adam Audio T5V
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Airpulse A100
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs JBL 705P
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Kali LP-UNF
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- See all 45 comparisons
Audioengine HD6: $817.44 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Analog and optical inputs, RCA output and built-in amplification provide a convenient self-contained stereo setup. The cabinet and driver size can be practical for general music listening without assembling a separate amplifier system.
Cons: Listening impressions describe bass and treble emphasis with a recessed midrange, which may suit casual listening better than neutral monitoring.
Full Audioengine HD6 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7.2"W x 10"D (298.4 x 184.1 x 254 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5" (140mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-40KHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input, Digital Optical |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| Weight | 17.4 lbs (7.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine HD6 vs Edifier R2000DB
- Audioengine HD6 vs Edifier S1000W
- Audioengine HD6 vs Presonus Eris E5
- Audioengine HD6 vs Edifier S1000MKII
- Audioengine HD6 vs Kali Audio IN-UNF
- Audioengine HD6 vs KRK Classic 5
- Audioengine HD6 vs Edifier MR4
- Audioengine HD6 vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- See all 38 comparisons