Short answer: the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It ranks #38 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $399; the Audioengine HD6 ranks #41 and costs $817.44, 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 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, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | Audioengine HD6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $817.44 |
| Ranked | #38 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #41 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) | 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 | - |
| Output Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Inputs | - | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input, Digital Optical |
| 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Presonus Eris E5
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Edifier R1280T
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Edifier R2000DB
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Edifier R1280DB
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Klipsch The Fives
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Topping MA4
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
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Audioengine HD6: $817.44 Amazon eBay
Cons: A bit of an accentuated treble and bass. Slight dip in the midrange.
Full Audioengine HD6 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | RCA Output |
| Weight | 17.4 lbs / 7.9 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine HD6 vs Klipsch The Fives
- Audioengine HD6 vs Edifier R2000DB
- Audioengine HD6 vs Presonus Eris E5
- Audioengine HD6 vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Audioengine HD6 vs Dynaudio LYD 5
- Audioengine HD6 vs Edifier S1000W
- Audioengine HD6 vs Edifier R1280T
- Audioengine HD6 vs Edifier R1280DB
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