Short answer: the HEDD Type 20 MK2 on measured sound quality, the Palmer Orbit 11 on price. The HEDD Type 20 MK2 ranks #18 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers at $4800. The Palmer Orbit 11 ranks #35 at $766, $4034 cheaper.
What the HEDD Type 20 MK2 offers: The measured ported configuration reaches 35.2Hz at -3dB and scores 6.92 with an ideal subwoofer. A 2.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports broadly balanced mids, while ported operation reduces deep-bass strain compared with the sealed setting in the review. Watch for: These results are for ported operation, not every bass or phase setting. Horizontal asymmetry and vertical crossover behavior make orientation and listening position important. Distortion rises at higher output, and linear-phase processing can add latency for live monitoring.
What the Palmer Orbit 11 offers: A 27.8Hz measured -3dB point provides genuinely deep standalone bass. The 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports even mids, and the coaxial arrangement offers a compact acoustic source for nearfield listening. Watch for: Its 6.20 ideal-subwoofer score is more modest than the narrow midrange span alone suggests; response outside that band and off-axis behavior also matter. Deep-bass extension does not prove high-level headroom. Studio-oriented connections and setup are less convenient than an all-in-one consumer pair.
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.
Specifications Side By Side
| HEDD Type 20 MK2 | Palmer Orbit 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4800 per pair | $1,532 per pair |
| Ranked | #18 of 67 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #35 of 67 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 | - |
| 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) | - |
| Inputs | XLR (Analog/AES) | - |
| 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 | 5.34 | 5.30 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.92 | 6.20 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for HEDD Type 20 MK2:
- AsciLab C8C vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- Mesanovic CDM65 vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- Genelec 8351B vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- Genelec 8361A vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- Neumann KH 150 vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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
HEDD Type 20 MK2: $4800 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: The measured ported configuration reaches 35.2Hz at -3dB and scores 6.92 with an ideal subwoofer. A 2.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports broadly balanced mids, while ported operation reduces deep-bass strain compared with the sealed setting in the review. Measured bass extension of 32Hz (-3dB).
Cons: These results are for ported operation, not every bass or phase setting. Horizontal asymmetry and vertical crossover behavior make orientation and listening position important. Distortion rises at higher output, and linear-phase processing can add latency for live monitoring.
Full HEDD Type 20 MK2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 900W (3x300W) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (HEDD CTRL) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | Yes (96kHz/32-bit) |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 11"W x 13.3"D (358.1 x 279.4 x 337.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 7" honeycomb composite woofer, 4" honeycomb composite midrange, HEDD AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Desk filter, shelf filters) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR (Analog/AES) |
| Maximum SPL | 120dB @ 1m (per pair) (manufacturer specified) |
| Outputs | XLR (AES pass-through) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.34 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.92 |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Neumann KH 310 A
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Buchardt A500
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs JBL 308P MKII
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Yamaha HS8
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Buchardt A10
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Kali Audio IN-8 V2
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Genelec 8050B
- See all 24 comparisons
Palmer Orbit 11: $1,532 per pair Thomann eBay
Pros: A 27.8Hz measured -3dB point provides genuinely deep standalone bass. The 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports even mids, and the coaxial arrangement offers a compact acoustic source for nearfield listening. Measured bass extension of 27.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Its 6.20 ideal-subwoofer score is more modest than the narrow midrange span alone suggests; response outside that band and off-axis behavior also matter. Deep-bass extension does not prove high-level headroom. Studio-oriented connections and setup are less convenient than an all-in-one consumer pair.
Full Palmer Orbit 11 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1000W peak / 400W RMS total; Tri-amped Class D |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 21.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 27.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 11.5" x 11.5" (217 x 293 x 292 mm) each |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 6.5" midrange (coaxial), 2x 8" woofers |
| Maximum SPL | 116dB peak at 1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.30 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.20 |
| Weight | 30.6 lbs (13.9 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Palmer Orbit 11 vs Focal Trio6 ST6
- Palmer Orbit 11 vs Kali Audio IN-8 V2
- Palmer Orbit 11 vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- Palmer Orbit 11 vs Yamaha HS8
- Palmer Orbit 11 vs Cambridge Audio L/R X
- Palmer Orbit 11 vs JBL 308P MKII
- Palmer Orbit 11 vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
- Palmer Orbit 11 vs Adam Audio T8V
- See all 18 comparisons