Short answer: the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It ranks #37 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $399. The Neumi BS5P-ARC ranks #51, rated 3.8/5, at $219.99, $179.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Audioengine A5+ Classic is the more accurate pick. ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 4.59 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.59 against 3.84 for the Neumi BS5P-ARC. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Neumi BS5P-ARC lacks. Watch for: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments.
The case for the Neumi BS5P-ARC: Erin’s selected measurements give a 2.6dB midrange span and a 7.03 ideal-subwoofer preference score, indicating better tonal performance above the bass than its former near-bottom position suggested. Watch for: The standalone score drops to 3.84.
Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $179.01 you would save on the Neumi BS5P-ARC does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | Neumi BS5P-ARC | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 per pair | $219.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #37 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #51 of 108 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) | 10.6H x 7.2W x 8.5D in each |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Typical In-Room) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) pair |
| Drivers | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter | 1” silk dome tweeter with integrated waveguide, 5” poly-cone woofer |
| App | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | 75W total (37.5W per channel) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 | 3.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 | 7.03 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | - |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, USB-C, optical, coaxial, RCA analog |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way active |
| Country | - | China |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Audioengine A5+ Classic (measured by Audio Science Review) and Neumi BS5P-ARC (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Audioengine A5+ Classic:
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Genelec 8331A
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Genelec 8030C
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Audioengine A5+ Classic: $399.00 per pair Amazon $399.00 B&H Photo Video $469 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 →
| Released | Oct 2011 (15 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs KEF LSX II LT
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs ADAM Audio T5V
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Airpulse A100
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Kanto YU6
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Mackie MR524
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs M-Audio BX5 D3
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- See all 61 comparisons
Neumi BS5P-ARC: $219.99 per pair Amazon $219.99 eBay
Older model: the Neumi BS5P (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5). See every Neumi BS5P generation.
Pros: Erin’s selected measurements give a 2.6dB midrange span and a 7.03 ideal-subwoofer preference score, indicating better tonal performance above the bass than its former near-bottom position suggested. HDMI ARC makes it a convenient low-cost TV stereo system.
Cons: The standalone score drops to 3.84. The published response reaches -3dB around 113Hz and -6dB around 83Hz, so bass balance is a significant limitation in that measured configuration. It is not the same model or dataset as the original Neumi BS5P. The score alone cannot establish clean output, and a subwoofer should not be assumed to solve crossover or room-integration issues automatically.
Full Neumi BS5P-ARC review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 75W total (37.5W per channel) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Country | China |
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 7.2W x 8.5D in each |
| Drivers | 1” silk dome tweeter with integrated waveguide, 5” poly-cone woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Typical In-Room) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, USB-C, optical, coaxial, RCA analog |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.03 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) pair |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons