Short answer: the Genelec 8330A if sound quality matters most, the Audioengine A5+ Classic if price matters most. The Genelec 8330A ranks #7 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.5/5, at $2,250. The Audioengine A5+ Classic ranks #36, rated 4.0/5, at $399, $1,851 cheaper.
Why pick the Audioengine A5+ Classic: ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 4.59 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Genelec 8330A lacks. The catch: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments.
The Genelec 8330A is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. ASR’s measurements give a 2.3dB midrange response span and a -3dB point around 56Hz. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.54 against 4.59 for the Audioengine A5+ Classic. Its bass reaches about 55.7Hz before falling 3dB, against 68Hz for the Audioengine A5+ Classic. Watch for: The listening-window response has more local variation than the Genelec 8030C or KH80 in the selected measurements, so DSP capability should not be mistaken for superior native neutrality.
Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Genelec 8330A when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | Genelec 8330A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 per pair | $2,250 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #7 of 100 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 | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | 100W total (50W woofer, 50W tweeter, Class D) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 | 5.54 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 | 7.79 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | - |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux | XLR, AES/EBU |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Warranty | - | 2 years (5 with product registration) |
| Country | - | Finland |
| Maximum SPL | - | 104dB (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Genelec 8330A:
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- 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 October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Audioengine A2+ (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.4/5).
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 |
- Links
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Genelec 8330A: $2,250 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Genelec 8320A (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.5/5), the Genelec 8340A (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.4/5) and the Genelec 8350A (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.5/5).
Pros: ASR’s measurements give a 2.3dB midrange response span and a -3dB point around 56Hz. Scores of 5.54 standalone and 7.79 with an ideal subwoofer indicate solid tonal accuracy, while deeper bass than the Genelec 8320A helps without a sub. GLM calibration, the waveguide and rounded aluminum enclosure make it a practical compact studio system. Measured bass extension of 55.7Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The listening-window response has more local variation than the Genelec 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 →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (50W woofer, 50W tweeter, Class D) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| 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 |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, AES/EBU |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.54 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.79 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 2 years (5 with product registration) |
| Weight | 11.2 lbs (5.1 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons