Short answer: the Dayton Audio M4. It ranks #28 of 58 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $249.98; the KRK Classic 5 ranks #30 and costs $280, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the KRK Classic 5 offers: High-quality Klippel NFS data produces a 5.22 Spinorama preference score with a subwoofer, essentially level with the Edifier MR4. Bass reaches 60.1Hz at -3dB and 54.2Hz at -6dB, and the speaker responds especially well to EQ: Spinorama’s corrected score rises from 2.71 to 5.34 without a subwoofer and from 5.22 to 7.71 with one. Watch for: The unequalized response has a large 6.5dB frequency-deviation band, elevated splashy treble above 4kHz, crossover directivity error, and sharply narrowing tweeter dispersion. Distortion becomes extreme below 50Hz. Its raw 2.71 preference score is weak without a subwoofer, so EQ and careful toe-in are strongly recommended.
What the Dayton Audio M4 offers: Good build quality. Has a subwoofer output for extending the low end. Overall linearity is decent for the price. Avoids sibilance since it’s slightly recessed right in the harsh 4-8kHz region. Watch for: The amplifier is only in the left speaker, so it’s not separate amps in each unit. Bass doesn’t extend very deep, and unlike some rivals it doesn’t use DSP to boost the low end. Sounds noticeably different up close versus at a normal listening distance, with a softer treble near field and a more recessed upper midrange farther away. Limited output headroom - distortion rises sharply above about 93dB, so it’s better suited to near-field or desktop use than as a far-field living-room speaker.
Buy the Dayton Audio M4. It ranks higher for sound quality than the KRK Classic 5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| KRK Classic 5 | Dayton Audio M4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $280 | $249.98 |
| Ranked | #30 of 58 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 58 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) | 121Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 54.2Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.71 without subwoofer; 5.22 with subwoofer | - |
| Dimensions | 9.7"H x 7.4"W x 11.2"D (246.4 x 188 x 284.5 mm) | 5" x 6.5" x 9.5" (127 x 165 x 241 mm) (W x D x H) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-30KHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, TRS, XLR | - |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs / 5.87 kg | 6.2 lbs / 2.81 kg (active), 5.1 lbs / 2.31 kg (passive) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 4" aluminum woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker | 75W RMS (150W peak) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Digital Aux Input | - | Yes (USB-C DAC, up to 192kHz/32-bit) |
| Aux Input | - | Yes (RCA) |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | AC Power cord |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes (20Hz - 200Hz) |
| Discontinued | - | No |
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- JBL 305P MKII vs Dayton Audio M4
Prices on this page were last checked August 24, 2026 at 6:53 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
KRK Classic 5: $280 Amazon eBay
Pros: High-quality Klippel NFS data produces a 5.22 Spinorama preference score with a subwoofer, essentially level with the Edifier MR4. Bass reaches 60.1Hz at -3dB and 54.2Hz at -6dB, and the speaker responds especially well to EQ: Spinorama’s corrected score rises from 2.71 to 5.34 without a subwoofer and from 5.22 to 7.71 with one.
Cons: The unequalized response has a large 6.5dB frequency-deviation band, elevated splashy treble above 4kHz, crossover directivity error, and sharply narrowing tweeter dispersion. Distortion becomes extreme below 50Hz. Its raw 2.71 preference score is weak without a subwoofer, so EQ and careful toe-in are strongly recommended.
Full KRK Classic 5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 54.2Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9.7"H x 7.4"W x 11.2"D (246.4 x 188 x 284.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-30KHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, TRS, XLR |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.71 without subwoofer; 5.22 with subwoofer |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs / 5.87 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S2000MKIII sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
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- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review JBL 305P MKII vs KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 vs KRK Rokit 5 RP5G4 sound.DEMO
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for KRK Classic 5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- KRK Classic 5 vs Edifier MR4
- KRK Classic 5 vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- KRK Classic 5 vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- KRK Classic 5 vs KEF LSX II LT
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Dayton Audio M4: $249.98 Parts Express eBay
Pros: Good build quality. Has a subwoofer output for extending the low end. Overall linearity is decent for the price. Avoids sibilance since it’s slightly recessed right in the harsh 4-8kHz region.
Cons: The amplifier is only in the left speaker, so it’s not separate amps in each unit. Bass doesn’t extend very deep, and unlike some rivals it doesn’t use DSP to boost the low end. Sounds noticeably different up close versus at a normal listening distance, with a softer treble near field and a more recessed upper midrange farther away. Limited output headroom - distortion rises sharply above about 93dB, so it’s better suited to near-field or desktop use than as a far-field living-room speaker.
Full Dayton Audio M4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes (RCA) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 121Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C DAC, up to 192kHz/32-bit) |
| Dimensions | 5" x 6.5" x 9.5" (127 x 165 x 241 mm) (W x D x H) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 4" aluminum woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 75W RMS (150W peak) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes (20Hz - 200Hz) |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs / 2.81 kg (active), 5.1 lbs / 2.31 kg (passive) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Dayton Audio M4 vs KEF LSX II LT
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Edifier R1280DB
- Dayton Audio M4 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Audioengine HD6
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Yamaha HS5
- See all 14 comparisons