Short answer: the Audioengine HD3 on measured sound quality, the M-Audio BX3 on price. The Audioengine HD3 ranks #17 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 3.2/5, at $359. The M-Audio BX3 ranks #21, rated 2.9/5, at $89, $270 cheaper.
What the M-Audio BX3 does well: Balanced TRS, RCA and auxiliary inputs, headphone output and high/low tone controls offer useful flexibility for an inexpensive desktop pair. Watch for: ASR’s data gives only 2.04 standalone and 5.18 with an ideal subwoofer.
Why pick the Audioengine HD3: A compact desktop stereo option when cabinet size is a priority. The catch: Limited bass makes a subwoofer useful for fuller music reproduction.
Buy the M-Audio BX3 if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Audioengine HD3 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX3 | Audioengine HD3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.00 per pair | $359.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #21 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #17 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way rear-ported | - |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 3.5-inch Kevlar woofer | 2.75" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-22kHz | 65 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS per pair | 30W total (15W per speaker) |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Outputs | Headphone | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| Dimensions | 8.2H x 5.5W x 5.7D in | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.04 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.18 | - |
| Headphone Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 7.4 lbs (3.35 kg) each | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| App | - | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 58Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 65Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| EQ | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 90dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Audioengine HD3 vs Edifier M60
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
M-Audio BX3: $89.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Balanced TRS, RCA and auxiliary inputs, headphone output and high/low tone controls offer useful flexibility for an inexpensive desktop pair. The controls give some scope to adjust broad tonal balance for placement.
Cons: ASR’s data gives only 2.04 standalone and 5.18 with an ideal subwoofer. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.580 indicates persistent tonal irregularities, while bass reaches -3dB at about 88Hz. The limited bass and uneven response make it a weak choice for accurate monitoring even with a subwoofer. Broad tone controls cannot precisely fix crossover or dispersion problems.
Full M-Audio BX3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS per pair |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.2H x 5.5W x 5.7D in |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 3.5-inch Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-22kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.18 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 7.4 lbs (3.35 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audioengine HD3: $359.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A compact desktop stereo option when cabinet size is a priority. Measured bass extension of 65Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Limited bass makes a subwoofer useful for fuller music reproduction. Its compact format is better suited to close listening than filling a large room.
Full Audioengine HD3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W total (15W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 2.75" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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