Short answer: the Neumi BS5P-ARC. It ranks #49 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $219.99; the KRK Classic 5 ranks #72, rated 3.4/5, and costs $319.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
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.
The Neumi BS5P-ARC is the better-sounding pick. Erin’s selected measurements give a 2.6dB midrange span and a 7.03 ideal-subwoofer preference score, indicating better tonal performance above the bass than its former near-bottom position suggested. The catch: The standalone score drops to 3.84.
Buy the Neumi BS5P-ARC. It is rated higher for sound quality than the KRK Classic 5 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| KRK Classic 5 | Neumi BS5P-ARC | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.99 per pair | $219.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #72 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #49 of 100 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 | 3.84 |
| Dimensions | 9.7”H x 7.4”W x 11.2”D (246.4 x 188 x 284.5 mm) | 10.6H x 7.2W x 8.5D in each |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-30kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Typical In-Room) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, TRS, XLR | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, USB-C, optical, coaxial, RCA analog |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs (5.87 kg) | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) pair |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 1” silk dome tweeter with integrated waveguide, 5” poly-cone woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker | 75W total (37.5W per channel) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.99 | 7.03 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way active |
| Country | - | China |
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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 |
- Links
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- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Neumi BS5P-ARC: $219.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the Neumi BS5P (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: Erin’s selected measurements give a 2.6dB midrange span and a 7.03 ideal-subwoofer preference score, indicating better tonal performance above the bass than its former near-bottom position suggested. HDMI ARC makes it a convenient low-cost TV stereo system.
Cons: The standalone score drops to 3.84. The published response reaches -3dB around 113Hz and -6dB around 83Hz, so bass balance is a significant limitation in that measured configuration. It is not the same model or dataset as the original Neumi BS5P. The score alone cannot establish clean output, and a subwoofer should not be assumed to solve crossover or room-integration issues automatically.
Full Neumi BS5P-ARC review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 75W total (37.5W per channel) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Country | China |
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 7.2W x 8.5D in each |
| Drivers | 1” silk dome tweeter with integrated waveguide, 5” poly-cone woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Typical In-Room) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, USB-C, optical, coaxial, RCA analog |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.03 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) pair |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons