Short answer: the Audioengine HD3 on measured sound quality, the M-Audio BX3 on price. The Audioengine HD3 ranks #29 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 3.2/5, at $359. The M-Audio BX3 ranks #39, rated 2.9/5, at $99.99, $259.01 cheaper.
What the M-Audio BX3 does well: A budget desktop pair with balanced, RCA and aux inputs, a headphone output and tone controls to adjust for placement. Watch for: ASR’s data gives only 2.04 standalone and 5.18 with an ideal subwoofer.
The Audioengine HD3 is the better-sounding pick. Compact powered desktop speakers with Bluetooth and analog inputs for when space is tight. The tradeoff: 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.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX3 | Audioengine HD3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 per pair | $359.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #39 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #29 of 48 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 |
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