Short answer: the Fiio SP3 for better sound quality, the M-Audio BX3 for the lower price. The Fiio SP3 ranks #18 of 22 powered bookshelf speakers at $299.99. The M-Audio BX3 ranks #19 at $99.99, $200 cheaper.
What the M-Audio BX3 offers: 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. Watch for: ASR’s data gives only 1.42 standalone and 4.56 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.
What the Fiio SP3 offers: Compact cabinets and angled bases fit a small desk. The existing review found useful dynamic capability at higher frequencies, so lack of output is not the only issue. Erin’s Klippel data shows a measured -3dB bass point around 60Hz, deeper than several similarly sized alternatives. Watch for: The response rises strongly toward the treble, about 1.13dB per octave, with a recessed midrange and problematic crossover behavior. Its 2.71 standalone and 5.32 ideal-subwoofer scores do not capture the full practical impact of the review’s boomy bass and off-axis tonal problems. Changing angle trades one coloration for another. Those audible limitations weigh against it more heavily than its numerical score or build quality.
Buy the M-Audio BX3 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Fiio SP3 if sound quality matters more than the price.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 22 powered bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX3 | Fiio SP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $299.99 |
| Ranked | #19 of 22 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #18 of 22 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way rear-ported | - |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 3.5-inch Kevlar woofer | 3.5" carbon fiber midwoofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-22kHz | - |
| Power Output | 50W RMS per pair | - |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux | AUX, RCA |
| Output | Headphone | - |
| Dimensions | 8.2H x 5.5W x 5.7D in | 6.4"H x 4.7"W x 5.2"D (163 x 120 x 132 mm) |
| Output Power | - | 40W total (30W midwoofer + 10W tweeter) |
| Weight | - | 4.3 lbs / 1.95 kg each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- Klipsch ProMedia Lumina vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Audioengine A2+ vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Adam Audio D3v vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Mackie CR3-X vs Fiio SP3
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Fiio SP3
Prices on this page were last checked September 8, 2026 at 6:02 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: $99.99 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 1.42 standalone and 4.56 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 →
| 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 |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux |
| Output | Headphone |
| Power Output | 50W RMS per pair |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Fiio SP3: $299.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Compact cabinets and angled bases fit a small desk. The existing review found useful dynamic capability at higher frequencies, so lack of output is not the only issue. Erin’s Klippel data shows a measured -3dB bass point around 60Hz, deeper than several similarly sized alternatives.
Cons: The response rises strongly toward the treble, about 1.13dB per octave, with a recessed midrange and problematic crossover behavior. Its 2.71 standalone and 5.32 ideal-subwoofer scores do not capture the full practical impact of the review’s boomy bass and off-axis tonal problems. Changing angle trades one coloration for another. Those audible limitations weigh against it more heavily than its numerical score or build quality.
Full Fiio SP3 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 6.4"H x 4.7"W x 5.2"D (163 x 120 x 132 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5" carbon fiber midwoofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| Inputs | AUX, RCA |
| Output Power | 40W total (30W midwoofer + 10W tweeter) |
| Weight | 4.3 lbs / 1.95 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons