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 Onkyo GX-30ARC ranks #39, rated 3.7/5, and costs $349, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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.
What the Onkyo GX-30ARC does well: HDMI ARC, USB-C, optical and analog inputs make it a convenient compact system for a desk or TV. Watch for: The response rises toward the treble by about 0.48dB per octave.
Buy the M-Audio BX5 D3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Onkyo GX-30ARC and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
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Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX5 D3 | Onkyo GX-30ARC | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 per pair | $349 per pair |
| Ranked | #30 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #39 of 67 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, 5.3 |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer |
| Country | - | Japan (design) |
| 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 |
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Onkyo GX-30ARC: $349 per pair Onkyo eBay
Pros: HDMI ARC, USB-C, optical and analog inputs make it a convenient compact system for a desk or TV. Erin’s Klippel data gives a 3.69 standalone preference score and 6.42 with an ideal subwoofer. The midrange response spans 3.8dB, offering usable but not reference-level tonal performance.
Cons: The response rises toward the treble by about 0.48dB per octave. Bass reaches -3dB around 74Hz, not the lower LFX value used inside the preference model. Vertical listening position affects crossover balance. Its extensive connectivity does not compensate for response irregularities, and the published tonal data alone does not establish maximum clean output.
Full Onkyo GX-30ARC review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Class D amplification |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.3 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | Japan (design) |
| Dimensions | approx. 8.7H x 5.8W x 7.9D in each |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter, 4" woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered, rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB-C, optical, phono/line, 3.5mm aux, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.42 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) (primary speaker) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons