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 M-Audio BX4 D3 ranks #50, rated 3.4/5, at $149. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
Why pick 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.
What the M-Audio BX4 D3 does well: Balanced TRS, RCA and front auxiliary/headphone connections, plus tone controls, make this a flexible inexpensive desktop pair. 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 BX5 D3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $0.50 saving on the M-Audio BX4 D3 is not enough to make up the difference.
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Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX5 D3 | M-Audio BX4 D3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 per pair | $149 per pair |
| Ranked | #30 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #50 of 67 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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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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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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