Short answer: the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It ranks #36 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $399 and is still sold new; the Neumi BS5P ranks #50 (rated 3.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Neumi BS5P’s replacement, the Neumi BS5P-ARC, is rated 3.8/5.
The Audioengine A5+ Classic is the deeper-bass option. ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 4.59 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. Its bass reaches about 68Hz before falling 3dB, against 90.8Hz for the Neumi BS5P. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Neumi BS5P lacks. The catch: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments.
What the Neumi BS5P does well: Erin’s retest with corrected tweeter polarity, updated internal EQ and plugged ports gives a much more neutral result: 4.83 standalone and 7.83 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. The tradeoff: That result is conditional on the tested firmware and port configuration, not a guarantee for an unknown stock or used pair.
Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Neumi BS5P is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | Neumi BS5P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 per pair | $150 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #36 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #50 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 90.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 56.1Hz (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) | 10.6” x 7.2” x 8.5” (269 x 183 x 216 mm) (H x W x D) |
| 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) | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) |
| Drivers | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter | 1” silk-dome tweeter; 5” fiberglass woofer |
| App | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | 75W total |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 | 4.83 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 | 7.83 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | - |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux | Bluetooth, optical, coaxial and RCA |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension | - | Erin’s response shows usable midbass but limited deep-bass headroom |
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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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Neumi BS5P: $150 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Neumi BS5P-ARC, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5.
Pros: Erin’s retest with corrected tweeter polarity, updated internal EQ and plugged ports gives a much more neutral result: 4.83 standalone and 7.83 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. The reviewer also found that configuration substantially better in listening. Its analog and digital inputs make it a flexible inexpensive system. Measured bass extension of 90.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: That result is conditional on the tested firmware and port configuration, not a guarantee for an unknown stock or used pair. The first sample had reversed tweeter polarity, so its poor initial result should not be generalized to every unit either. Plugged-port bass reaches -3dB around 91Hz. Confirm configuration before expecting the improved balance; tonal scores do not remove output limits. Discontinued.
Full Neumi BS5P review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 75W total |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension | Erin’s response shows usable midbass but limited deep-bass headroom |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 10.6” x 7.2” x 8.5” (269 x 183 x 216 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 1” silk-dome tweeter; 5” fiberglass woofer |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Typical in-room) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, optical, coaxial and RCA |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.83 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.83 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons