Short answer: the HEDD Type 20 MK2 on measured sound quality, the Palmer Orbit 11 on price. The HEDD Type 20 MK2 ranks #26 of 119 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.5/5, at $4,798. The Palmer Orbit 11 ranks #61, rated 4.2/5, at $1,532, $3,266 cheaper.
The case for the HEDD Type 20 MK2: Three-way studio monitors with balanced mids, useful deep bass, and switchable ported or sealed bass for different needs. The catch: These results are for ported operation, not every bass or phase setting.
Why pick the Palmer Orbit 11: Affordable coaxial monitors with genuinely deep bass, even mids, and a cardioid baffle that cuts room reflections. The catch: Its 7.10 ideal-subwoofer score is more modest than the narrow midrange span alone suggests; response outside that band and off-axis behavior also matter.
Buy the HEDD Type 20 MK2 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Palmer Orbit 11 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Three-way studio monitors with balanced mids, useful deep bass, and switchable ported or sealed bass for different needs.
Affordable coaxial monitors with genuinely deep bass, even mids, and a cardioid baffle that cuts room reflections.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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 20 MK2 | Palmer Orbit 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,798 per pair | $1,532 per pair |
| Ranked | #26 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #61 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| App | Yes (HEDD CTRL) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 21.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 27.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 11”W x 13.3”D (358.1 x 279.4 x 337.8 mm) | 8.5” x 11.5” x 11.5” (217 x 293 x 292 mm) each |
| DSP | Yes (96kHz/32-bit) | - |
| EQ | Yes (Desk filter, shelf filters) | - |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 28Hz - 28kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR (Analog/AES) | XLR (balanced analog), AES3 (digital, via XLR) |
| Drivers | 7” honeycomb composite woofer, 4” honeycomb composite midrange, HEDD AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter | 1” tweeter + 6.5” midrange (coaxial), 2x 8” woofers |
| Outputs | XLR (AES pass-through) | - |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) each | 30.6 lbs (13.9 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 900W (3x300W) | 1000W peak / 400W RMS total; Tri-amped Class D |
| Maximum SPL | 120dB @ 1m (per pair) (manufacturer specified) | 116dB peak at 1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.11 | 6.20 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.69 | 7.10 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
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