Short answer: the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It ranks #27 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $399. The Fluid Audio FX50 V2 ranks #64, rated 2.7/5, at $298, $101 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Audioengine A5+ Classic does well: ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 4.59 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. The tradeoff: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments.
Why pick the Fluid Audio FX50 V2: The coaxial geometry and mounting provisions allow flexible physical orientation, while balanced inputs and boundary controls suit a compact studio installation. Watch for: Scores of 1.80 standalone and 4.42 with an ideal subwoofer indicate poor native tonal accuracy.
Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $101 you would save on the Fluid Audio FX50 V2 does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | Fluid Audio FX50 V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 per pair | $298 per pair |
| Ranked | #27 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #64 of 67 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) | 9.2H x 6.9W x 9.1D in |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 49Hz-22kHz +/-2dB |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter | 1-inch silk tweeter coaxially mounted in 5-inch paper woofer |
| App | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | 90W each |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 | 1.80 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 | 4.42 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | - |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux | XLR/TRS and RCA |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | Active coaxial, front-ported |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 PM 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 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 4.59 standalone and 7.06 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 →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) |
| XLR Input | No |
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Fluid Audio FX50 V2: $298 per pair Fluid Audio eBay
Pros: The coaxial geometry and mounting provisions allow flexible physical orientation, while balanced inputs and boundary controls suit a compact studio installation. Bass reaches -3dB around 67Hz in ASR’s selected measurement.
Cons: Scores of 1.80 standalone and 4.42 with an ideal subwoofer indicate poor native tonal accuracy. Listening-window and predicted-room narrow-band deviations are both around 0.80, showing irregular sound for both the listener and room reflections. Coaxial construction does not guarantee smooth dispersion or neutral reproduction, and correction features should not be credited as a proven fix.
Full Fluid Audio FX50 V2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 90W each |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.2H x 6.9W x 9.1D in |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter coaxially mounted in 5-inch paper woofer |
| Enclosure | Active coaxial, front-ported |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz-22kHz +/-2dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS and RCA |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.80 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.42 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
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