Short answer: the Boston Acoustics A25. It ranks #22 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $299.98; the Dynaudio Emit M10 ranks #28 and costs $800, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Boston Acoustics A25 side: CEA2034 spinorama is decent once you ignore a peak around 900Hz and a dip around 3kHz - directivity is good enough that the response can be EQed and won’t be too room-dependent. Set against that: A crazy port resonance and a tweeter with a steeper rolloff than the woofer both show up in the near-field driver measurements, creating the 900Hz peak and the crossover-region dip.
What the Dynaudio Emit M10 offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows impressive, headphone-level distortion through the midrange and tweeter at 86dB SPL, with a well-executed port that keeps resonance low below the crossover. Watch for: Tuned toward a mild showroom sound with boosted upper bass and treble and a recessed midrange - the reviewer prefers speakers that get the 100Hz-3kHz range right, which this doesn’t.
Buy the Boston Acoustics A25. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Dynaudio Emit M10 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Boston Acoustics A25 | Dynaudio Emit M10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.98 Discontinued | $800 |
| Ranked | #22 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1" Kortec soft dome tweeter, 5.25" ceramic/glass-fiber polymer mid/woofer | 28mm soft dome tweeter, 14cm MSP mid/bass driver |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 10.7H x 7.25W x 8.9D in | 11.5"H x 6.7"W x 9.4"D (292 x 170 x 240 mm) |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.58 kg each | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg each |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 83.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 6 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 10-150W recommended | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Sony SS-CS5 M2 vs ELAC BS U5
- ELAC BS U5 vs JBL Stage A120
- ELAC BS U5 vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs JBL Stage A120
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Q Acoustics 3020i
The Two Speakers In Full
Boston Acoustics A25: $299.98 Discontinued
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama is decent once you ignore a peak around 900Hz and a dip around 3kHz - directivity is good enough that the response can be EQed and won’t be too room-dependent. Cabinet fit and finish is well above its price class, and dynamics were strong with no distortion audible even at high volume on well-recorded material. Discontinued, but the reviewer suggests hunting for clearance pricing on remaining stock.
Cons: A crazy port resonance and a tweeter with a steeper rolloff than the woofer both show up in the near-field driver measurements, creating the 900Hz peak and the crossover-region dip. The rear port itself measured audibly distorted up close, though it wasn’t noticeable from normal listening distance in the reviewer’s room. Discontinued.
Full Boston Acoustics A25 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 10.7H x 7.25W x 8.9D in |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1" Kortec soft dome tweeter, 5.25" ceramic/glass-fiber polymer mid/woofer |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 10-150W recommended |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.58 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs JBL Studio 530
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs KEF Q150
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs ELAC BS U5
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs JBL Stage 2 250B
- See all 15 comparisons
Dynaudio Emit M10: $800
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows impressive, headphone-level distortion through the midrange and tweeter at 86dB SPL, with a well-executed port that keeps resonance low below the crossover. 28mm soft dome tweeter and 14cm MSP mid/bass driver.
Cons: Tuned toward a mild showroom sound with boosted upper bass and treble and a recessed midrange - the reviewer prefers speakers that get the 100Hz-3kHz range right, which this doesn’t. His verdict: cheaper speakers deliver much more balanced tonality, so he wouldn’t buy it for himself.
Full Dynaudio Emit M10 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.5"H x 6.7"W x 9.4"D (292 x 170 x 240 mm) |
| Drivers | 28mm soft dome tweeter, 14cm MSP mid/bass driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs ELAC BS U5
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs JBL Stage 2 250B
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Dynaudio X14
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs JBL Studio 530
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- See all 17 comparisons