Short answer: the HEDD Type 05 A-CORE on measured sound quality, the Audioengine A5+ Classic on price. The HEDD Type 05 A-CORE ranks #25 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.2/5, at $1,398. The Audioengine A5+ Classic ranks #37, rated 4.0/5, at $399, $999 cheaper.
The HEDD Type 05 A-CORE is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A balanced, all round studio monitor with an AMT tweeter, an analog signal path and good bass for its size. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.35 against 4.59 for the Audioengine A5+ Classic. Its bass reaches about 43.9Hz before falling 3dB, against 68Hz for the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Audioengine A5+ Classic lacks. Watch for: The 2.7dB midrange span and listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.404 trail the most linear monitors here.
The case for the Audioengine A5+ Classic: A simple powered bookshelf pair with fairly balanced sound and no separate amplifier needed. It keeps a wired aux input, which the HEDD Type 05 A-CORE lacks. The tradeoff: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments.
Buy the HEDD Type 05 A-CORE if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic if the price matters more than sound quality.
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Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| HEDD Type 05 A-CORE | Audioengine A5+ Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,398 per pair | $399.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #25 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #37 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Inputs | RCA unbalanced, XLR/TRS combo balanced | RCA, Aux |
| Drivers | AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter, 5” Honeycomb-compound woofer | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| App | None (analog-only, no DSP) | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes, analog High/Low shelving, ±6dB continuous | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) each | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) |
| Amplifier Power | 200W total, bi-amped (2x100W ICEpower Class D) | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| Dimensions | 12.1” x 7.1” x 9.6” (308 x 180 x 245 mm) each | 10.9”H x 7.2”W x 9.7”D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 50kHz | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 112dB per pair at 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.35 | 4.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.23 | 7.06 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| DSP | - | No |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
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