Short answer: the Airpulse A100 for better sound quality, the Dayton Audio M4 for the lower price. The Airpulse A100 ranks #17 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $999.99. The Dayton Audio M4 ranks #28 at $249.98, $750.01 cheaper.
What the Airpulse A100 offers: Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter (inherited from Airpulse’s flagship 7001 monitor, designed by Phil Jones) paired with a 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer - a distinctive, low-mass driver combination rarely seen below $1,000. Directivity spread is the widest and most controlled of this batch (directivity_spdi_stddev 4.26). A full input set for a desktop system: RCA, USB, optical, coaxial, and Bluetooth, plus a dedicated subwoofer output and an included IR remote. Watch for: On-axis deviation (aad_on_axis 0.498) trails the pricier options in this group, and there’s no app-based EQ or DSP - bass/treble trim is limited to physical rear-panel knobs not reachable from the remote. The compact 5” woofer caps sub-bass extension at 63.0Hz (-3dB) / 53.2Hz (-10dB), the second-shallowest in this batch, effectively expecting an external subwoofer for full-range use. No Wi-Fi streaming (AirPlay/Chromecast) - Bluetooth only.
What the Dayton Audio M4 offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
Buy the Airpulse A100 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Dayton Audio M4 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Airpulse A100 | Dayton Audio M4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.99 | $249.98 |
| Ranked | #17 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 121Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Inputs | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX | - |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5" hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer | 4" aluminum woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| App | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes (SBC, aptX) | - |
| EQ | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs | - |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs / 11 kg (24.2 lb) each | 6.2 lbs / 2.81 kg (active), 5.1 lbs / 2.31 kg (passive) |
| Output Power | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) | 75W RMS (150W peak) |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 11.1" x 10" (160 x 283 x 255 mm) (6.3 x 11.1 x 10.0 in) each | 5" x 6.5" x 9.5" (127 x 165 x 241 mm) (W x D x H) |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Digital Aux Input | - | Yes (USB-C DAC, up to 192kHz/32-bit) |
| Aux Input | - | Yes (RCA) |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | AC Power cord |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes (20Hz - 200Hz) |
| Discontinued | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 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 Amazon B&H Photo eBay
Pros: Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter (inherited from Airpulse’s flagship 7001 monitor, designed by Phil Jones) paired with a 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer - a distinctive, low-mass driver combination rarely seen below $1,000. Directivity spread is the widest and most controlled of this batch (directivity_spdi_stddev 4.26). A full input set for a desktop system: RCA, USB, optical, coaxial, and Bluetooth, plus a dedicated subwoofer output and an included IR remote.
Cons: On-axis deviation (aad_on_axis 0.498) trails the pricier options in this group, and there’s no app-based EQ or DSP - bass/treble trim is limited to physical rear-panel knobs not reachable from the remote. The compact 5” woofer caps sub-bass extension at 63.0Hz (-3dB) / 53.2Hz (-10dB), the second-shallowest in this batch, effectively expecting an external subwoofer for full-range use. No Wi-Fi streaming (AirPlay/Chromecast) - Bluetooth only.
Full Airpulse A100 review and specifications →
| App | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 11.1" x 10" (160 x 283 x 255 mm) (6.3 x 11.1 x 10.0 in) each |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5" hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| EQ | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| Inputs | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Output Power | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs / 11 kg (24.2 lb) each |
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Dayton Audio M4: $249.98 Parts Express eBay
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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