Short answer: the Onkyo GX-30ARC, if you are buying new. The M-Audio BX5 D3 ranks higher than it (#42 vs #57 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers, 3.9/5 vs 3.7/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Onkyo GX-30ARC is still sold new at $349.
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.
What the Onkyo GX-30ARC does well: A compact desk or TV speaker pair with HDMI ARC, optical and USB inputs in one simple setup. It keeps a wired aux input, which the M-Audio BX5 D3 lacks. Watch for: The response rises toward the treble by about 0.48dB per octave.
Buy the Onkyo GX-30ARC new; the M-Audio BX5 D3 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
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Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX5 D3 | Onkyo GX-30ARC | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $637.22 per pair Discontinued | $349.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #42 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #57 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Active 2-way, rear-ported | 2-way powered, rear-ported |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch Kevlar woofer | 1” tweeter, 4” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz-35kHz | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W each | Class D amplification |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB | - |
| Inputs | XLR and TRS | HDMI ARC, USB-C, optical, phono/line, 3.5mm aux, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10H x 6.9W x 7.8D in | approx. 8.7H x 5.8W x 7.9D in each |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) (primary speaker) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.09 | 3.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 | 6.42 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer |
| Country | - | Japan (design) |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
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