Short answer: the HiVi Swan X3. It ranks #10 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $179; the Fiio SP3 ranks #38, rated 2.9/5, and costs $299.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The HiVi Swan X3 is the better-sounding choice. An affordable small coaxial desktop pair with fairly balanced sound for the money. The catch: Not a flat reference monitor: the response spans 5.0dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and trends upward toward the treble.
What the Fiio SP3 does well: Small angled desktop speakers that fit a tight desk and reach a little deeper in the bass than many similar sized pairs. It keeps a wired aux input, which the HiVi Swan X3 lacks. The catch: The response rises strongly toward the treble, about 1.13dB per octave, with a recessed midrange and problematic crossover behavior.
Buy the HiVi Swan X3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Fiio SP3 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
An affordable small coaxial desktop pair with fairly balanced sound for the money.
Small angled desktop speakers that fit a tight desk and reach a little deeper in the bass than many similar sized pairs.
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Specifications Side By Side
| HiVi Swan X3 | Fiio SP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.00 per pair | $299.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #10 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #38 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Active coaxial, rear-ported | - |
| Drivers | 3-inch coaxial woofer and tweeter | 3.5” carbon fiber midwoofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 71Hz (measured, Spinorama) | - |
| Inputs | RCA | AUX, RCA |
| Configuration | Powered desktop monitor | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.04 | 3.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.03 | 6.17 |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | 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 |
| Amplifier Power | 28W RMS Per Speaker | 40W total (30W midwoofer + 10W tweeter) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Dimensions | 5” x 4.8” x 7.1” (128 x 123 x 181 mm) (W x D x H) | 6.4”H x 4.7”W x 5.2”D (163 x 120 x 132 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) each | 4.3 lbs (1.95 kg) each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
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