Short answer: the Dayton Audio M4, if you are buying new. The M-Audio BX5 D3 ranks higher than it (#42 vs #54 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers, 3.9/5 vs 3.8/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Dayton Audio M4 is still sold new at $249.98.
The case for the M-Audio BX5 D3: A budget studio monitor with balanced inputs and room adjustment for a basic home studio. Watch for: The response slopes downward by about 0.65dB per octave, potentially softening treble relative to the midrange.
The case for the Dayton Audio M4: A compact, affordable powered desk pair with Bluetooth, USB-C, a subwoofer output and a soft, unfatiguing treble. It keeps a wired aux input, which the M-Audio BX5 D3 lacks. The tradeoff: Existing listening and output notes describe limited bass, a balance that changes with distance, and distortion rising above roughly 93dB.
Buy the Dayton Audio M4, since the M-Audio BX5 D3 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
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Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX5 D3 | Dayton Audio M4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $637.22 per pair Discontinued | $249.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #42 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #54 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Active 2-way, rear-ported | - |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch Kevlar woofer | 4” aluminum woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz-35kHz | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W each | 75W RMS (150W peak) |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB | - |
| Inputs | XLR and TRS | RCA, USB-C, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions | 10H x 6.9W x 7.8D in | 5” x 6.5” x 9.5” (127 x 165 x 241 mm) (W x D x H) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each | 6.2 lbs (2.81 kg) (active), 5.1 lbs (2.31 kg) (passive) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.09 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes (RCA) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 121Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Digital Aux Input | - | Yes (USB-C DAC, up to 192kHz/32-bit) |
| App | - | No |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | AC Power cord |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer (20Hz-200Hz) |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
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