Short answer: the Genelec 8330A if sound quality matters most, the Audioengine A5+ Classic if price matters most. The Genelec 8330A ranks #7 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $1125. The Audioengine A5+ Classic ranks #27 at $399, $726 cheaper.
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 Genelec 8330A offers: Sits between the compact 8320A and the larger 8331A in Genelec’s SAM lineup, with a die cast aluminum Minimum Diffraction Enclosure and Directivity Control Waveguide that deliver a measured 55.7Hz extension point, well beyond the 8320A’s smaller cabinet. The bass alignment is well damped at a measured Q of 0.379, so the low end rolls off cleanly rather than peaking near the tuning frequency. Watch for: On axis deviation measures 0.324dB average, rougher than several similarly priced monitors in this catalog, and listening window smoothness sits at a moderate 0.38. GLM room calibration requires the separate 9320A SAM Reference Controller or GLM Calibration Kit, an extra cost on top of the speaker price. At $1,125 each it costs roughly double the smaller 8320A for a moderate step up in bass extension and output.
Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Genelec 8330A when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | Genelec 8330A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 per pair | $2,250 per pair |
| Ranked | #27 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #7 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 44.9Hz (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) | 11.8"H x 7.4"W x 7"D (299 x 189 x 178 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz-23kHz -6dB |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs / 7 kg (left/powered), 9.7 lbs / 4.4 kg (right) | 11.2 lbs / 5.1 kg each |
| Drivers | 5" Kevlar woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter | 0.75" metal dome tweeter, 5.1" cone woofer |
| App | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Output Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | - |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Power Output (Watts) | - | 100W total (50W woofer, 50W tweeter, Class D) |
| Max SPL | - | 104dB |
| Warranty | - | 2 years (5 with product registration) |
| Country | - | Finland |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Genelec 8330A:
- Genelec 8331A vs Genelec 8330A
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Genelec 8330A
- Genelec 8030C vs Genelec 8330A
- Genelec 8330A vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Genelec 8330A
Prices on this page were last checked September 11, 2026 at 8:40 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 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.
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 →
| 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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Genelec 8330A: $2,250 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s measurements give a 2.3dB midrange response span and a -3dB point around 56Hz. Scores of 4.78 standalone and 7.03 with an ideal subwoofer indicate solid tonal accuracy, while deeper bass than the 8320A helps without a sub. GLM calibration, the waveguide and rounded aluminum enclosure make it a practical compact studio system.
Cons: The listening-window response has more local variation than the 8030C or KH80 in the selected measurements, so DSP capability should not be mistaken for superior native neutrality. GLM calibration hardware costs extra. Small-driver bass headroom remains finite, and neither the modeled ideal-subwoofer score nor the fitted bass Q establishes maximum output or freedom from resonances.
Full Genelec 8330A review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Country | Finland |
| Dimensions | 11.8"H x 7.4"W x 7"D (299 x 189 x 178 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75" metal dome tweeter, 5.1" cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-23kHz -6dB |
| Max SPL | 104dB |
| Power Output (Watts) | 100W total (50W woofer, 50W tweeter, Class D) |
| Warranty | 2 years (5 with product registration) |
| Weight | 11.2 lbs / 5.1 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons