Short answer: the Audioengine HD3 if sound quality matters most, the Yamaha HS5 if price matters most. The Audioengine HD3 ranks #15 of 22 powered bookshelf speakers at $359. The Yamaha HS5 ranks #41 at $339.98, $19.02 cheaper.
What the Yamaha HS5 gets right: Very neutral. Set against that: Not quite as deep of bass as some of the others in this size class.
Buy the Audioengine HD3 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Yamaha HS5 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine HD3 | Yamaha HS5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $359.00 | $339.98 |
| Ranked | #15 of 22 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #41 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) | 11.2"H x 6.7"W x 8.7"D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input | XLR |
| Outputs | RCA Output | - |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg | 12.1 lbs / 5.5 kg each |
| Drivers | 2.75" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| EQ | No | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Max SPL | 90dB @ 1m | - |
| Output Power | 30W total (15W per speaker) | 45w Per Speaker |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 8, 2026 at 6:02 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 Amazon eBay
Pros: A compact desktop stereo option when cabinet size is a priority.
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 →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| 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) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Max SPL | 90dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 30W total (15W per speaker) |
| Outputs | RCA Output |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
- 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 Genelec 8010A
- Audioengine HD3 vs Audioengine HD4
- Audioengine HD3 vs Edifier R1700BT
- See all 9 comparisons
Yamaha HS5: $339.98 Amazon eBay
Pros: ASR found reasonably smooth early-reflection directivity, which makes broad EQ correction more promising than on speakers whose off-axis response changes abruptly. Balanced inputs and placement controls suit studio use. The measured preference scores are 2.91 standalone and 5.52 with an ideal subwoofer.
Cons: The measurements do not support describing it as very neutral: excess midrange and reduced lower-midrange/upper-bass weight produce a bass-light balance. The 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.3dB. Its automated -3dB crossing is affected by response shape, so it should not be treated as a simple bass-cutoff specification. A subwoofer adds low bass but does not fix the elevated midrange.
Full Yamaha HS5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 6.7"W x 8.7"D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Output Power | 45w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs / 5.5 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
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- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS5 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo
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- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons