Short answer: the M-Audio BX4 D3. It ranks #50 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $149; the Midiplus MI5 II ranks #62, rated 3.0/5, and costs $169, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
Why pick the M-Audio BX4 D3: Balanced TRS, RCA and front auxiliary/headphone connections, plus tone controls, make this a flexible inexpensive desktop pair. The tradeoff: A rising response of about 0.62dB per octave and listening-window deviation of 0.546 indicate bright, locally uneven reproduction.
The case for the Midiplus MI5 II: Balanced inputs, Bluetooth and a powered-pair format offer useful connectivity. The tradeoff: The 2.24 standalone and 4.53 ideal-subwoofer scores show significant problems above the bass region.
Buy the M-Audio BX4 D3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Midiplus MI5 II and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX4 D3 | Midiplus MI5 II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 per pair | $169 per pair |
| Ranked | #50 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #62 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered stereo pair, rear-ported | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
| Drivers | 1" dome tweeter, 4.5" Kevlar woofer | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch fiberglass woofer |
| Dimensions | 8.9H x 6.1W x 6.9D in | 10.1H x 6.7W x 9.4D in |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)/pair | - |
| Amplifier Power | 120W peak system | 100W RMS per pair |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux; headphone output | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.29 | 2.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.03 | 4.53 |
| XLR Input | No | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 69Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz-25kHz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 103dB |
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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 BX4 D3: $149 per pair Amazon eBay
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
Midiplus MI5 II: $169 per pair eBay
Pros: Balanced inputs, Bluetooth and a powered-pair format offer useful connectivity. The measured -3dB point is around 54Hz, so it reaches lower in the bass than some compact monitors.
Cons: The 2.24 standalone and 4.53 ideal-subwoofer scores show significant problems above the bass region. A large 9.4dB midrange response span and listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.644 indicate substantial coloration even though the overall response slope is fairly mild. A subwoofer cannot fix those irregularities. Amplifier-power specifications do not establish clean output.
Full Midiplus MI5 II review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS per pair |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.1H x 6.7W x 9.4D in |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch fiberglass woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-25kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.53 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons