Short answer: the Kali Audio SM-5 on measured sound quality, the Audioengine A5+ Classic on price. The Kali Audio SM-5 ranks #26 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.2/5, at $2,998. The Audioengine A5+ Classic ranks #37, rated 4.0/5, at $399, $2,599 cheaper.
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. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Kali Audio SM-5 lacks. The tradeoff: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments.
The Kali Audio SM-5 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. Erin’s measurements show bass reaching -3dB around 43Hz and a 2.8dB midrange response span. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.18 against 4.59 for the Audioengine A5+ Classic. Its bass reaches about 45Hz before falling 3dB, against 68Hz for the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Audioengine A5+ Classic lacks. The catch: Scores of 5.18 standalone and 7.13 with an ideal subwoofer are good but below the leading reference monitors, so its advanced driver layout does not justify a near-top ranking by itself.
Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Kali Audio SM-5 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | Kali Audio SM-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 per pair | $2,998 per pair |
| Ranked | #37 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #26 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 10.9”H x 7.2”W x 9.7”D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) | 15.7”H x 7.9”W x 9.8”D (400 x 200 x 250 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 39Hz - 35kHz ±10dB (47Hz - 21kHz ±3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter | 1” coaxial tweeter, 4” coaxial midrange, 5” mid-bass woofer |
| App | No | Kali Audio DSP software (free download) |
| EQ | No | Yes, per-speaker DSP |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | 150W total |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 | 5.18 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 | 7.13 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | - |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux | XLR/TRS, AES/EBU (BNC), RJ45 network control |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | - | 117dB (manufacturer specified) |
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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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Kali Audio SM-5: $2,998 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Erin’s measurements show bass reaching -3dB around 43Hz and a 2.8dB midrange response span. The coaxial mid/tweeter and large waveguide give useful consistency horizontally and vertically, reducing sensitivity to listening height. Built-in per-speaker DSP and mounting options make placement flexible. Existing testing reports low midrange distortion at 96dB. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Scores of 5.18 standalone and 7.13 with an ideal subwoofer are good but below the leading reference monitors, so its advanced driver layout does not justify a near-top ranking by itself. A small upper-midrange irregularity remains. The five-inch woofer and limiter constrain loud bass; the review places compression onset roughly in the 96-102dB/1m region.
Full Kali Audio SM-5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 150W total |
| App | Kali Audio DSP software (free download) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 7.9”W x 9.8”D (400 x 200 x 250 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” coaxial tweeter, 4” coaxial midrange, 5” mid-bass woofer |
| EQ | Yes, per-speaker DSP |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 35kHz ±10dB (47Hz - 21kHz ±3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS, AES/EBU (BNC), RJ45 network control |
| Maximum SPL | 117dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.18 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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