Short answer: the Fluid Audio C35BT. It ranks #19 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.0/5, at $139. The M-Audio BX3 ranks #21, rated 2.9/5, at $89, $50 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Fluid Audio C35BT does well: Balanced TRS inputs, Bluetooth, front volume control and a headphone output make this inexpensive pair practical for a basic desktop setup. Watch for: Preference scores of 2.57 standalone and 5.57 with an ideal subwoofer indicate that the limitations are not just missing bass.
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 Fluid Audio C35BT. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $50 with the M-Audio BX3 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Fluid Audio C35BT | M-Audio BX3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139 per pair | $89.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #19 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #21 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way, front-ported | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
| Drivers | 0.8" silk-dome tweeter, 3.5" composite woofer | 1-inch silk tweeter, 3.5-inch Kevlar woofer |
| Amplifier Power | 64W total | 50W RMS per pair |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA, 3.5mm, balanced TRS | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux |
| Outputs | Headphone | Headphone |
| Dimensions | 7.3H x 4.9W x 5.9D in | 8.2H x 5.5W x 5.7D in |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.57 | 2.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.57 | 5.18 |
| Headphone Output | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.52 kg) pair | 7.4 lbs (3.35 kg) each |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 | No |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 80Hz-22kHz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Fluid Audio C35BT compares with other leading options:
- Monacor SOUND-4BT vs Fluid Audio C35BT
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Fluid Audio C35BT
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Audioengine HD3
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Mackie CR3-X
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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
Fluid Audio C35BT: $139 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Balanced TRS inputs, Bluetooth, front volume control and a headphone output make this inexpensive pair practical for a basic desktop setup. ASR’s measured -3dB point is about 78Hz, so it covers more upper bass than the shallowest-reaching mini speakers.
Cons: Preference scores of 2.57 standalone and 5.57 with an ideal subwoofer indicate that the limitations are not just missing bass. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.555 and sound-power deviation of 0.657 show that response irregularities affect both direct and room-reflected sound. A subwoofer cannot correct those tonal problems, and the small drivers are not a basis for expecting high clean output.
Full Fluid Audio C35BT review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 64W total |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.3H x 4.9W x 5.9D in |
| Drivers | 0.8" silk-dome tweeter, 3.5" composite woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way, front-ported |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA, 3.5mm, balanced TRS |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.57 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.57 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.52 kg) pair |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Mackie CR3-X
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Fiio SP3
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Audioengine HD3
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Monoprice Monolith MM-3
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Midiplus MI3 II
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Monoprice DT-3
- See all 9 comparisons
M-Audio BX3: $89.00 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