Short answer: the M-Audio BX4 D3, if you are buying new. The M-Audio BX5 D3 ranks higher than it (#42 vs #75 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers, 3.9/5 vs 3.4/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the M-Audio BX4 D3 is still sold new at $149.
The M-Audio BX5 D3 is the more accurate choice. A budget studio monitor with balanced inputs and room adjustment for a basic home studio. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.09 against 3.29 for the M-Audio BX4 D3. Watch for: The response slopes downward by about 0.65dB per octave, potentially softening treble relative to the midrange.
What the M-Audio BX4 D3 does well: An inexpensive desktop pair with balanced TRS, RCA and front aux inputs, a headphone jack and tone controls. It keeps a wired aux input, which the M-Audio BX5 D3 lacks. Watch for: A rising response of about 0.62dB per octave and listening-window deviation of 0.546 indicate bright, locally uneven reproduction.
Buy the M-Audio BX4 D3 if you want one new; the M-Audio BX5 D3 is discontinued, so only look for it used.
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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 BX5 D3 | M-Audio BX4 D3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $637.22 per pair Discontinued | $149 per pair |
| Ranked | #42 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #75 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Active 2-way, rear-ported | 2-way powered stereo pair, rear-ported |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch Kevlar woofer | 1” dome tweeter, 4.5” Kevlar woofer |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz-35kHz | 69Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W each | 120W peak system |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB | - |
| Inputs | XLR and TRS | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux; headphone output |
| Dimensions | 10H x 6.9W x 7.8D in | 8.9H x 6.1W x 6.9D in |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)/pair |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.09 | 3.29 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 | 6.03 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | 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 | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
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