Short answer: the Audioengine HD3. It ranks #17 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $359. The Midiplus MI3 II ranks #23, rated 2.4/5, at $139, $220 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The case for the Midiplus MI3 II: Compact cabinets, Bluetooth, analog inputs and high-frequency adjustment can suit a basic desktop system. The catch: Preference scores of 0.99 standalone and 3.84 with an ideal subwoofer are poor.
What the Audioengine HD3 does well: A compact desktop stereo option when cabinet size is a priority. Watch for: Limited bass makes a subwoofer useful for fuller music reproduction.
Buy the Audioengine HD3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $220 with the Midiplus MI3 II does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Midiplus MI3 II | Audioengine HD3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139 per pair | $359.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #23 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #17 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way | - |
| Drivers | 0.75-inch silk tweeter, 3-inch fiberglass woofer | 2.75" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz-25kHz | 65 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 60W RMS per pair | 30W total (15W per speaker) |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB | 90dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Dimensions | 6.5H x 4.7W x 6D in | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.99 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.84 | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 | Yes |
| Outputs | - | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| Weight | - | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| App | - | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 58Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 65Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| EQ | - | No |
| 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
Midiplus MI3 II: $139 per pair eBay
Pros: Compact cabinets, Bluetooth, analog inputs and high-frequency adjustment can suit a basic desktop system. The measured -3dB point is about 67Hz, so missing bass is not its only differentiator from other tiny speakers.
Cons: Preference scores of 0.99 standalone and 3.84 with an ideal subwoofer are poor. High narrow-band deviations on-axis (0.938) and across the listening window (0.852) indicate pronounced response irregularities that can color voices and instruments. The fairly flat overall trend does not mean the response itself is smooth. A subwoofer or simple treble adjustment cannot resolve all of these problems.
Full Midiplus MI3 II review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W RMS per pair |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.5H x 4.7W x 6D in |
| Drivers | 0.75-inch silk tweeter, 3-inch fiberglass woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz-25kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.99 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.84 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Midiplus MI3 II vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Midiplus MI3 II vs Monoprice DT-3
- Midiplus MI3 II vs M-Audio BX3
- Midiplus MI3 II vs Fiio SP3
- Midiplus MI3 II vs Fluid Audio C35BT
- Midiplus MI3 II vs Mackie CR3-X
- Midiplus MI3 II vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Midiplus MI3 II vs Audioengine A2+
- See all 9 comparisons
Audioengine HD3: $359.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A compact desktop stereo option when cabinet size is a priority. Measured bass extension of 65Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Limited bass makes a subwoofer useful for fuller music reproduction. Its compact format is better suited to close listening than filling a large room.
Full Audioengine HD3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W total (15W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 2.75" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine HD3 vs Monoprice Monolith MM-3
- Audioengine HD3 vs Fluid Audio C35BT
- Audioengine HD3 vs Kanto YU4
- Audioengine HD3 vs Monacor SOUND-4BT
- Audioengine HD3 vs M-Audio BX3
- Audioengine HD3 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Audioengine HD3 vs Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex
- Audioengine HD3 vs Edifier MR3
- See all 18 comparisons