Short answer: the Dayton Audio B652-AIR. It ranks #104 of 105 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $77.99; the Yamaha NS-6490 ranks #105 and costs $129.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Dayton Audio B652-AIR: AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter offers a novel driver technology at a very low price point, and the full-range woofer keeps the crossover simple. Set against that: Amir says this speaker “does everything wrong that you want to avoid in modern speaker design” - the woofer runs full-bandwidth without a proper crossover filter, causing a 340Hz suckout from woofer/tweeter cancellation and multiple additional peaks and dips.
What the Yamaha NS-6490 offers: Attractive industrial design with a large 8-inch woofer for the price. The catch: Amir found the woofer runs essentially full-range with only a capacitor separating the mid and tweeter, letting all three drivers bleed into each other’s range and causing “rising amplitude” across the response.
Buy the Dayton Audio B652-AIR. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Yamaha NS-6490 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 105 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dayton Audio B652-AIR | Yamaha NS-6490 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $77.99 | $129.95 |
| Ranked | #104 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #105 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 6.5" polypropylene woofer (full-range, no low-pass filter), 1"x1" mini AMT tweeter | 8" woofer, 4" midrange cone, 7/8" balanced dome tweeter (3-way, acoustic suspension) |
| Dimensions | 11.8H x 7.06W x 6.4D in | 16.2H x 10.5W x 13.2D in |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg each | 13.2 lbs / 6 kg each |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (1W/1m, manufacturer specified) | 89.6dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 40W RMS, 75W max | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 98.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 54.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | - | 45Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 70W nominal, 140W max |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Dayton Audio B652-AIR: $77.99 Amazon
Pros: AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter offers a novel driver technology at a very low price point, and the full-range woofer keeps the crossover simple.
Cons: Amir says this speaker “does everything wrong that you want to avoid in modern speaker design” - the woofer runs full-bandwidth without a proper crossover filter, causing a 340Hz suckout from woofer/tweeter cancellation and multiple additional peaks and dips. The AMT tweeter lacks adequate damping (only a capacitor and resistor), and the thin cabinet resonates audibly. Listening tests revealed “piercing and distorted highs” and “distorted lisping” on female vocals. Amir specifically criticized other reviewers for calling these speakers “clear and clean” with “five star performance,” calling such assessments “embarrassing,” and recommended the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR instead.
Full Dayton Audio B652-AIR review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 98.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.8H x 7.06W x 6.4D in |
| Drivers | 6.5" polypropylene woofer (full-range, no low-pass filter), 1"x1" mini AMT tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Power Handling | 40W RMS, 75W max |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (1W/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg each |
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Yamaha NS-6490: $129.95 Amazon
Pros: Attractive industrial design with a large 8-inch woofer for the price. Simple direct-driven woofer with capacitor-only mid/tweeter crossovers keeps the design straightforward.
Cons: Amir found the woofer runs essentially full-range with only a capacitor separating the mid and tweeter, letting all three drivers bleed into each other’s range and causing “rising amplitude” across the response. Extensive narrow peaking indicates numerous cabinet resonances - Amir noted, “we have more of them than I have ever seen.” Distortion is high across the measurement range, and directivity is highly variable, particularly vertically. With a 1.6 preference score, Amir concluded, “I just can’t recommend it,” noting that extensive EQ would not fix the underlying resonance issues.
Full Yamaha NS-6490 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 16.2H x 10.5W x 13.2D in |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 4" midrange cone, 7/8" balanced dome tweeter (3-way, acoustic suspension) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Output Power | 70W nominal, 140W max |
| Sensitivity | 89.6dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons