Short answer: the M-Audio BX5 D3. It ranks #30 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $149.50; the Dayton Audio M4 ranks #38, rated 3.8/5, and costs $249.98, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for the M-Audio BX5 D3: The third-party measurements suggest scores of 4.09 standalone and 6.69 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.4dB midrange span. 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 powered pair with a subwoofer output, useful source connections and a solid cabinet. The catch: Existing listening and output notes describe limited bass, a balance that changes with distance, and distortion rising above roughly 93dB.
Buy the M-Audio BX5 D3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Dayton Audio M4 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
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Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX5 D3 | Dayton Audio M4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 per pair | $249.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #30 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #38 of 67 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, 5.0 |
| 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) |
| Discontinued | - | No |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
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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 BX5 D3: $299 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: The third-party measurements suggest scores of 4.09 standalone and 6.69 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.4dB midrange span. Balanced inputs and acoustic-space adjustment are useful for a basic studio setup. The measured -3dB estimate is about 64Hz.
Cons: The response slopes downward by about 0.65dB per octave, potentially softening treble relative to the midrange. There is no digital input or automatic calibration, and the preference estimate does not verify distortion or output headroom.
Full M-Audio BX5 D3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W each |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10H x 6.9W x 7.8D in |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | Active 2-way, rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz-35kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR and TRS |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.09 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Dayton Audio M4: $249.98 per pair Parts Express eBay
Pros: A compact powered pair with a subwoofer output, useful source connections and a solid cabinet. The existing review describes reasonable linearity for the price and a subdued upper treble that avoids an aggressively bright presentation. It is best considered for a close desktop setup. Measured bass extension of 121Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Existing listening and output notes describe limited bass, a balance that changes with distance, and distortion rising above roughly 93dB. The soft treble is a tonal preference, not evidence of reference neutrality; a subwoofer does not establish greater midrange headroom.
Full Dayton Audio M4 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 75W RMS (150W peak) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (RCA) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 121Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C DAC, up to 192kHz/32-bit) |
| Dimensions | 5" x 6.5" x 9.5" (127 x 165 x 241 mm) (W x D x H) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 4" aluminum woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, USB-C, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Subwoofer (20Hz-200Hz) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs (2.81 kg) (active), 5.1 lbs (2.31 kg) (passive) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons