Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 3.4/5 (#73 and #74 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers), so choose on features and fit.
Why pick the KRK Classic 5: ASR’s Klippel data gives -3dB bass around 60Hz and a 5.99 preference score with an ideal subwoofer. The tradeoff: The native standalone score is 3.47 and the midrange span is a large 6.5dB.
What the M-Audio BX4 D3 does well: Balanced TRS, RCA and front auxiliary/headphone connections, plus tone controls, make this a flexible inexpensive desktop pair. It keeps a wired aux input, which the KRK Classic 5 lacks. Watch for: A rising response of about 0.62dB per octave and listening-window deviation of 0.546 indicate bright, locally uneven reproduction.
Buy the KRK Classic 5 or the M-Audio BX4 D3 on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| KRK Classic 5 | M-Audio BX4 D3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.99 per pair | - |
| Ranked | #73 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #74 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 54.2Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.47 | 3.29 |
| Dimensions | 9.7”H x 7.4”W x 11.2”D (246.4 x 188 x 284.5 mm) | 8.9H x 6.1W x 6.9D in |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-30kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 69Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, TRS, XLR | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux; headphone output |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs (5.87 kg) | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)/pair |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 1” dome tweeter, 4.5” Kevlar woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker | 120W peak system |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.99 | 6.03 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way powered stereo pair, rear-ported |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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: $319.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data gives -3dB bass around 60Hz and a 5.99 preference score with an ideal subwoofer. Broad tonal correction can improve it, so it may be useful to someone willing to measure and EQ a basic studio setup. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The native standalone score is 3.47 and the midrange span is a large 6.5dB. Excess treble and crossover/directivity errors keep it from being neutral out of the box, while low-bass distortion limits loud playback. Modeled EQ scores are not stock performance and do not demonstrate corrected distortion or dispersion.
Full KRK Classic 5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 54.2Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, TRS, XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.47 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.99 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs (5.87 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
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- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
M-Audio BX4 D3 eBay
Same family: the M-Audio BX4 BT (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 3.3/5), the M-Audio BX5 D3 (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 3.9/5) and the M-Audio BX8 D3 (larger bookshelf, rated 4/5).
Pros: Balanced TRS, RCA and front auxiliary/headphone connections, plus tone controls, make this a flexible inexpensive desktop pair. The third-party measurement gives scores of 3.29 standalone and 6.03 with an ideal subwoofer, with -3dB bass estimated around 67Hz.
Cons: A rising response of about 0.62dB per octave and listening-window deviation of 0.546 indicate bright, locally uneven reproduction. The compact system suits moderate nearfield use; the preference estimate does not verify high-level headroom.
Full M-Audio BX4 D3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 120W peak system |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.9H x 6.1W x 6.9D in |
| Drivers | 1” dome tweeter, 4.5” Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered stereo pair, rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 69Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux; headphone output |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.29 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.03 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)/pair |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons