Short answer: the Edifier M60. It ranks #6 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $199.99. The M-Audio BX3 ranks #21, rated 2.9/5, at $99.99, $100 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
Why pick the Edifier M60: Erin’s Klippel data shows a reasonably even midrange, spanning 2.8dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with broad horizontal coverage for desktop listening. Watch for: The on-axis response rises by about 0.57dB per octave, so the tonal balance becomes brighter toward the treble.
The case for the M-Audio BX3: Balanced TRS, RCA and auxiliary inputs, headphone output and high/low tone controls offer useful flexibility for an inexpensive desktop pair. The tradeoff: ASR’s data gives only 2.04 standalone and 5.18 with an ideal subwoofer.
Buy the Edifier M60. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $100 with the M-Audio BX3 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier M60 | M-Audio BX3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 per pair | $99.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #6 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #21 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LDAC | - |
| Dimensions | 6.6”H x 3.9”W x 5.8”D (167.6 x 99.1 x 147.3 mm) | 8.2H x 5.5W x 5.7D in |
| EQ | Yes | - |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, USB-C | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux |
| Drivers | 3” woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter | 1-inch silk tweeter, 3.5-inch Kevlar woofer |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) | 7.4 lbs (3.35 kg) each |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 80Hz-22kHz |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 66W total (33W per speaker) | 50W RMS per pair |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.60 | 2.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.33 | 5.18 |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Enclosure | - | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
| Outputs | - | Headphone |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 PM 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
Edifier M60: $199.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel data shows a reasonably even midrange, spanning 2.8dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with broad horizontal coverage for desktop listening. Predicted preference scores are 4.60 standalone and 7.33 with an ideal subwoofer, a comparatively strong result in this compact category. USB-C, auxiliary input, Bluetooth and included angled stands make it easy to integrate into a small desk setup. LDAC Bluetooth support and illuminated touch controls round out the features. Measured bass extension of 67Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87.5dB.
Cons: The on-axis response rises by about 0.57dB per octave, so the tonal balance becomes brighter toward the treble. Measured -3dB bass extension is about 70Hz; it cannot reproduce deep bass at full level. Sitting below the tweeter axis worsens the crossover-region response. Limiting and compression constrain louder playback, so use it nearfield rather than expecting room-filling output.
Full Edifier M60 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 66W total (33W per speaker) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.6”H x 3.9”W x 5.8”D (167.6 x 99.1 x 147.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 3” woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, USB-C |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.33 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Edifier M60 Desktop Speaker Delivers Big Fun! More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: The Best Budget Desktop Speakers, Tested & Rated
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Edifier M60
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget – 2026 More from Jasper Tech →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier M60 vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
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- Edifier M60 vs Edifier MR3
- Edifier M60 vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
- Edifier M60 vs Adam Audio D3v
- Edifier M60 vs Sovox MiniMax3
- Edifier M60 vs Genelec 8010A
- Edifier M60 vs Audio Smile Little British Monitor
- See all 32 comparisons
M-Audio BX3: $99.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Balanced TRS, RCA and auxiliary inputs, headphone output and high/low tone controls offer useful flexibility for an inexpensive desktop pair. The controls give some scope to adjust broad tonal balance for placement.
Cons: ASR’s data gives only 2.04 standalone and 5.18 with an ideal subwoofer. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.580 indicates persistent tonal irregularities, while bass reaches -3dB at about 88Hz. The limited bass and uneven response make it a weak choice for accurate monitoring even with a subwoofer. Broad tone controls cannot precisely fix crossover or dispersion problems.
Full M-Audio BX3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS per pair |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.2H x 5.5W x 5.7D in |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 3.5-inch Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-22kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.18 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 7.4 lbs (3.35 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons