Short answer: the Topping MA4. It ranks #11 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.4/5); the Audioengine A5+ Classic ranks #36 (rated 4.0/5).
The case for 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 Topping MA4 lacks. Watch for: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments.
The Topping MA4 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. The selected manufacturer-supplied Klippel data shows a 1.6dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz, bass reaching -3dB around 50Hz, and preference scores of 5.64 standalone and 7.83 with an ideal subwoofer. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.64 against 4.59 for the Audioengine A5+ Classic. Its bass reaches about 49.8Hz before falling 3dB, against 68Hz for the Audioengine A5+ Classic. The tradeoff: The native listening-window response is not as smooth as the leading Genelec and Neumann measurements.
Buy the Topping MA4. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audioengine A5+ Classic.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | Topping MA4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 per pair | €449 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #11 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 49.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 42.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Dimensions | 10.9”H x 7.2”W x 9.7”D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) | 10”H x 5.5”W x 11.3”D (255 x 140 x 288 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 49Hz-20kHz +/-3dB |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) | 8.3 lbs (3.78 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter | 1” soft dome tweeter with waveguide, 4” paper cone woofer |
| App | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | 75W total (50W woofer, 25W tweeter, Class D) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 | 5.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 | 7.83 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | - |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux | XLR (balanced analog) |
| 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 | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Sensitivity | - | 92dB |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.3kHz |
| Warranty | - | 1-2 years (varies by region) |
| Country | - | China |
| Maximum SPL | - | 105dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Topping MA4 compares with other leading options:
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Topping MA4
- Genelec 8030C vs Topping MA4
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Topping MA4
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Topping MA4
- Genelec 8320A vs Topping MA4
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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Topping MA4: €449 per pair Audiophonics eBay
Pros: The selected manufacturer-supplied Klippel data shows a 1.6dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz, bass reaching -3dB around 50Hz, and preference scores of 5.64 standalone and 7.83 with an ideal subwoofer. That is strong measured tonal performance for a compact monitor. Its analog crossover and balanced XLR connection suit an existing audio interface. Measured bass extension of 49.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The native listening-window response is not as smooth as the leading Genelec and Neumann measurements. No USB, Bluetooth or built-in room-correction DSP: source control and correction need external equipment. Bass extension alone does not establish clean output capability. On-axis narrow-band deviation measures 0.503dB and listening-window smoothness a moderate 0.44.
Full Topping MA4 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 75W total (50W woofer, 25W tweeter, Class D) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | China |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.3kHz |
| Dimensions | 10”H x 5.5”W x 11.3”D (255 x 140 x 288 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” soft dome tweeter with waveguide, 4” paper cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz-20kHz +/-3dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR (balanced analog) |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 92dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.83 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 1-2 years (varies by region) |
| Weight | 8.3 lbs (3.78 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons