Short answer: the HiVi Swan X3. It ranks #7 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $249; the Monoprice Monolith MM-3 ranks #16, rated 3.2/5, and costs $299.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the HiVi Swan X3: ASR’s Spinorama data predicts 4.04 standalone and 7.03 with an ideal subwoofer, placing its bass-normalized tonal performance ahead of several similarly small budget monitors. The catch: Not a flat reference monitor: the response spans 5.0dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and trends upward toward the treble.
Why pick the Monoprice Monolith MM-3: With the ports plugged, Erin’s Klippel data yields preference scores of 3.82 standalone and 6.24 with an ideal subwoofer, and a measured -3dB point around 62Hz. The catch: These measurements describe modified, port-plugged speakers, not the stock product.
Buy the HiVi Swan X3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Monoprice Monolith MM-3 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
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Specifications Side By Side
| HiVi Swan X3 | Monoprice Monolith MM-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 per pair | $299.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Active coaxial, rear-ported | 2-way active, rear slot port |
| Drivers | 3-inch coaxial woofer and tweeter | 0.75" silk-dome tweeter, 3" polypropylene woofer |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 71Hz (measured, Spinorama) | - |
| Inputs | RCA | Bluetooth aptX, RCA, 3.5mm |
| Configuration | Powered desktop monitor | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.04 | 3.82 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.03 | 6.24 |
| 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 | 50W total, bi-amplified |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 5" x 4.8" x 7.1" (128 x 123 x 181 mm) (W x D x H) | 8.3H x 5.5W x 6.3D in |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) each | approx. 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) each |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Country | - | United States (design) |
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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
HiVi Swan X3: $249 per pair eBay
Pros: ASR’s Spinorama data predicts 4.04 standalone and 7.03 with an ideal subwoofer, placing its bass-normalized tonal performance ahead of several similarly small budget monitors. Listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.420, lower than the MR3’s 0.538, indicating fewer local response irregularities by that measure. The compact coaxial layout is convenient for a small desktop system.
Cons: Not a flat reference monitor: the response spans 5.0dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and trends upward toward the treble. Bass reaches -3dB at about 79Hz, so a subwoofer remains important. Coaxial construction alone does not guarantee uniform dispersion, and the preference score does not establish distortion or maximum clean output.
Full HiVi Swan X3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 28W RMS Per Speaker |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 71Hz (measured, Spinorama) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Powered desktop monitor |
| Dimensions | 5" x 4.8" x 7.1" (128 x 123 x 181 mm) (W x D x H) |
| Drivers | 3-inch coaxial woofer and tweeter |
| Enclosure | Active coaxial, rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.03 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- HiVi Swan X3 vs Edifier M60
- HiVi Swan X3 vs Edifier MR3
- HiVi Swan X3 vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- HiVi Swan X3 vs Sovox MiniMax3
- HiVi Swan X3 vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
- HiVi Swan X3 vs Adam Audio D3v
- HiVi Swan X3 vs Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex
- HiVi Swan X3 vs Genelec 8010A
- See all 16 comparisons
Monoprice Monolith MM-3: $299.99 per pair Monoprice eBay
Pros: With the ports plugged, Erin’s Klippel data yields preference scores of 3.82 standalone and 6.24 with an ideal subwoofer, and a measured -3dB point around 62Hz. The reviewer found blocking the ports improved the bass peak and midrange resonances. Bluetooth, analog inputs, a headphone jack and angled stands provide a convenient compact desktop package.
Cons: These measurements describe modified, port-plugged speakers, not the stock product. Even in that configuration the review identifies substantial tonal problems and recommends off-axis placement to reduce excess treble. The score therefore does not justify ranking the stock MM-3 alongside better-balanced monitors. Small drivers limit its application, and the proprietary inter-speaker cable complicates replacement.
Full Monoprice Monolith MM-3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W total, bi-amplified |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United States (design) |
| Dimensions | 8.3H x 5.5W x 6.3D in |
| Drivers | 0.75" silk-dome tweeter, 3" polypropylene woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, rear slot port |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth aptX, RCA, 3.5mm |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.82 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.24 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | approx. 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Audioengine HD3
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Kanto YU4
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Monacor SOUND-4BT
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Fluid Audio C35BT
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Audioengine A2+
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Fiio SP3
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex
- See all 9 comparisons