Short answer: the Airpulse A100. It ranks #34 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $999.99. The Audioengine HD4 ranks #83, rated 3.2/5, at $429, $570.99 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Airpulse A100 is the better-sounding pick. ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 4.56 standalone and 7.08 with an ideal subwoofer. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Audioengine HD4 lacks. The catch: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight.
Why pick the Audioengine HD4: Compact powered cabinets, analog input options and RCA output can simplify a desktop stereo system. It supports aptX HD Bluetooth, which the Airpulse A100 lacks. The catch: The compact cabinets suit close desktop listening rather than a large-room system.
Buy the Airpulse A100. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $570.99 saving on the Audioengine HD4 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Airpulse A100 | Audioengine HD4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.99 per pair | $429.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #34 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #83 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | - |
| Inputs | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer | 4” (102mm) woofer |
| App | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes (SBC, aptX) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| EQ | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs | No |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 11.1” x 10” (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each | 9”H x 5.5”W x 6.5”D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.08 | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | - | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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
Airpulse A100: $999.99 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Airpulse A60 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.8/5), the Airpulse A80 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 3.9/5) and the Airpulse A200T (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4/5).
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 4.56 standalone and 7.08 with an ideal subwoofer. The ribbon tweeter and five-inch woofer provide a distinctive compact powered system, with remote control and a subwoofer output simplifying everyday use. Measured bass extension of 63.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.419 shows more local tonal variation than the leading monitors. Rear tone controls are less flexible than parametric EQ or room correction. Neither the ribbon tweeter nor a directivity-index summary establishes uniquely wide or perfectly controlled dispersion. The remote cannot reach the rear bass and treble knobs, and there is no app EQ.
Full Airpulse A100 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| App | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 11.1” x 10” (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| EQ | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.08 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audioengine HD4: $429.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Audioengine HD3 (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.2/5) and the Audioengine HD6 (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 3.3/5).
Pros: Compact powered cabinets, analog input options and RCA output can simplify a desktop stereo system. Its modest footprint is useful where larger studio monitors are impractical.
Cons: The compact cabinets suit close desktop listening rather than a large-room system. A separate subwoofer adds cost and space if deeper bass is a priority.
Full Audioengine HD4 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| 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
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