Short answer: the Genelec 8010A. It ranks #2 of 23 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $450. The Audioengine HD3 ranks #16, rated 3.2/5, at $359, $91 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Genelec 8010A gets right: An extremely neutral speaker for mastering and mixing recordings. The tradeoff: Not as deep of bass as the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor.
Buy the Genelec 8010A. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $91 you would save on the Audioengine HD3 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine HD3 | Genelec 8010A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $359.00 per pair | $900 per pair |
| Ranked | #16 of 23 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #2 of 23 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) | 7.7"H x 4.8"W x 4.5"D (195.6 x 121.9 x 114.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 67 Hz-25 kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input | XLR |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | - |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) |
| Drivers | 2.75" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter | 3" woofer, 0.75" metal dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | 67Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz | 74Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| EQ | No | Yes (Bass tilt, Desk proximity) |
| Amplifier Power | 30W total (15W per speaker) | 50W (25W woofer + 25W tweeter) |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | 96dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| 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 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Genelec 8010A compares with other leading options:
- Adam Audio D3v vs Genelec 8010A
- Genelec 8010A vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
- Genelec 8010A vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Edifier M60 vs Genelec 8010A
- Genelec 8010A vs HiVi Swan X3
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Audioengine HD3: $359.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A compact desktop stereo option when cabinet size is a priority. Measured bass extension of 65Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Limited bass makes a subwoofer useful for fuller music reproduction. Its compact format is better suited to close listening than filling a large room.
Full Audioengine HD3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W total (15W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 2.75" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine HD3 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Audioengine HD3 vs Edifier MR3
- Audioengine HD3 vs Edifier M60
- Audioengine HD3 vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Audioengine HD3 vs Adam Audio D3v
- Audioengine HD3 vs Audioengine HD4
- Audioengine HD3 vs Edifier R1700BT
- Audioengine HD3 vs Kali LP-UNF
- See all 9 comparisons
Genelec 8010A: $900 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s Klippel measurements support a neutral compact monitor: the response spans 2.5dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with lower narrow-band variation in the listening window than directly on-axis. Spinorama predicts 4.10 standalone and 7.01 with an ideal subwoofer, making it a strong choice when bass is handled separately. Its measured balance provides firmer evidence for critical listening than a recorded sound demonstration alone. Measured bass extension of 74Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured -3dB point is about 78Hz, so deep bass is missing without a subwoofer. The small enclosure and woofer are better suited to close listening than room-filling levels; the preference score does not measure headroom. The D3V offers substantially deeper measured bass in a similarly compact format, while the Genelec’s premium price is harder to justify for casual desktop use.
Full Genelec 8010A review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W (25W woofer + 25W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.7"H x 4.8"W x 4.5"D (195.6 x 121.9 x 114.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 0.75" metal dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Bass tilt, Desk proximity) |
| Frequency Response | 67 Hz-25 kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (Genelec G One) vs iLoud Micro Monitor Sound Demo w/ Bass Test More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (Genelec G One) vs Presonus Eris E4.5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (G One) vs JBL LSR305 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (Genelec G One) vs Audioengine A2+ Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (Genelec G One) vs Yamaha HS5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Genelec 8010A vs Adam Audio D3v
- Genelec 8010A vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
- Genelec 8010A vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Genelec 8010A vs Edifier M60
- Genelec 8010A vs HiVi Swan X3
- Genelec 8010A vs Edifier MR3
- Genelec 8010A vs Audioengine A2+
- Genelec 8010A vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- See all 12 comparisons