Short answer: the Mesanovic CDM65. It ranks #2 of 119 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.9/5, at $5,998. The HEDD Type 20 MK2 ranks #26, rated 4.5/5, at $4,798, $1,200 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Mesanovic CDM65 is the more accurate pick. High end monitors with extremely accurate sound and deep bass, plus a cardioid mode that helps in difficult rooms. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 7.07 against 6.11 for the HEDD Type 20 MK2. Watch for: Cardioid operation and bass tuning affect placement and output, so use the appropriate mode for the room.
What the HEDD Type 20 MK2 does well: Three-way studio monitors with balanced mids, useful deep bass, and switchable ported or sealed bass for different needs. The catch: These results are for ported operation, not every bass or phase setting.
Buy the Mesanovic CDM65. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $1,200 saving on the HEDD Type 20 MK2 is not enough to make up the difference.
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High end monitors with extremely accurate sound and deep bass, plus a cardioid mode that helps in difficult rooms.
Three-way studio monitors with balanced mids, useful deep bass, and switchable ported or sealed bass for different needs.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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
| Mesanovic CDM65 | HEDD Type 20 MK2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,998 per pair | $4,798 per pair |
| Ranked | #2 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #26 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | sealed | - |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome waveguide tweeter, 5” aluminum cone midrange, 2x 6.5” paper Kevlar side mounted subwoofers | 7” honeycomb composite woofer, 4” honeycomb composite midrange, HEDD AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter |
| Dimensions | 15”H x 8”W x 14”D (381 x 203 x 356 mm) | 14.1”H x 11”W x 13.3”D (358.1 x 279.4 x 337.8 mm) |
| Weight | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) each | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 600W total (150W tweeter, 150W midrange, 300W subwoofers combined) | 900W (3x300W) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz-20kHz +/-1.0dB | 32Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 36.6Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 26Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 150Hz, 2,300Hz | - |
| Warranty | 2 years | - |
| Country | United States | - |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | 120dB @ 1m (per pair) (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.07 | 6.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.57 | 7.69 |
| Inputs | XLR (balanced analog), WiSA wireless | XLR (Analog/AES) |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| App | - | Yes (HEDD CTRL) |
| DSP | - | Yes (96kHz/32-bit) |
| EQ | - | Yes (Desk filter, shelf filters) |
| Outputs | - | XLR (AES pass-through) |
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