Short answer: the Dayton Audio M4. It ranks #23 of 36 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $249.98; the Audioengine HD4 ranks #33 and costs $429, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Dayton Audio M4 offers: Good build quality. Watch for: The amplifier is only in the left speaker, so it’s not separate amps in each unit.
What the Audioengine HD4 offers: Its documented strengths make it a credible option in this class. Watch for: Not a great sounding speaker for the high price.
Buy the Dayton Audio M4. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Audioengine HD4 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Audioengine HD4. It ranks near the bottom of the 36 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dayton Audio M4 | Audioengine HD4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.98 | $429.00 |
| Ranked | #23 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #33 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 4" aluminum woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 121Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 75W RMS (150W peak) | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C DAC, up to 192kHz/32-bit) | - |
| Aux Input | Yes (RCA) | - |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs / 2.81 kg (active), 5.1 lbs / 2.31 kg (passive) | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 5" x 6.5" x 9.5" (127 x 165 x 241 mm) (W x D x H) | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| App | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes (20Hz - 200Hz) | - |
| Discontinued | No | - |
| Inputs | - | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Outputs | - | RCA Output |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- KRK Classic 5 vs Yamaha HS5
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs KRK Classic 5
- KRK Classic 5 vs Audioengine HD4
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Dayton Audio M4
The Two Speakers In Full
Dayton Audio M4: $249.98 Parts Express
Pros: Good build quality. Has a subwoofer output for extending the low end. Overall linearity is decent for the price. Avoids sibilance since it’s slightly recessed right in the harsh 4-8kHz region.
Cons: The amplifier is only in the left speaker, so it’s not separate amps in each unit. Bass doesn’t extend very deep, and unlike some rivals it doesn’t use DSP to boost the low end. Sounds noticeably different up close versus at a normal listening distance, with a softer treble near field and a more recessed upper midrange farther away. Limited output headroom - distortion rises sharply above about 93dB, so it’s better suited to near-field or desktop use than as a far-field living-room speaker.
Full Dayton Audio M4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes (RCA) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 121Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C DAC, up to 192kHz/32-bit) |
| Dimensions | 5" x 6.5" x 9.5" (127 x 165 x 241 mm) (W x D x H) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 4" aluminum woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 75W RMS (150W peak) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes (20Hz - 200Hz) |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs / 2.81 kg (active), 5.1 lbs / 2.31 kg (passive) |
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Audioengine HD4: $429.00 Amazon
Cons: Not a great sounding speaker for the high price.
Full Audioengine HD4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | RCA Output |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons