Short answer: the Monacor SOUND-4BT. It ranks #13 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $310. The Fiio SP3 ranks #20, rated 2.9/5, at $299.99, $10.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
What the Monacor SOUND-4BT does well: The available measurements suggest useful bass for its size, with a -3dB point around 61Hz, and a fairly small 2.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz. The catch: Predicted in-room response remains uneven despite the modest midrange span.
What the Fiio SP3 does well: Compact cabinets and angled bases fit a small desk. Watch for: The response rises strongly toward the treble, about 1.13dB per octave, with a recessed midrange and problematic crossover behavior.
Buy the Monacor SOUND-4BT. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $10.01 saving on the Fiio SP3 is not enough to make up the difference.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Monacor SOUND-4BT | Fiio SP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $310 per pair | $299.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #20 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered stereo pair, bass reflex | - |
| Drivers | 1" dome tweeter, 4" woofer | 3.5" carbon fiber midwoofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 8.5H x 5.5W x 6.7D in | 6.4"H x 4.7"W x 5.2"D (163 x 120 x 132 mm) |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg)/pair | 4.3 lbs (1.95 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 2 x 30W RMS | 40W total (30W midwoofer + 10W tweeter) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth 4.0 aptX, optical, RCA, 3.5mm | AUX, RCA |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.58 | 3.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.10 | 6.17 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.0 | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 59Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Monacor SOUND-4BT:
- Cambridge Audio L/R S vs Monacor SOUND-4BT
- HiVi Swan X3 vs Monacor SOUND-4BT
- Sovox MiniMax3 vs Monacor SOUND-4BT
- Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex vs Monacor SOUND-4BT
- Monacor SOUND-4BT vs Audioengine A2+
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
Monacor SOUND-4BT: $310 per pair LTT Versand eBay
Pros: The available measurements suggest useful bass for its size, with a -3dB point around 61Hz, and a fairly small 2.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz. Optical and analog inputs, Bluetooth, remote control and a subwoofer output make it versatile for a compact stereo setup.
Cons: Predicted in-room response remains uneven despite the modest midrange span. A subwoofer can add bass reach but does not correct the remaining tonal variations.
Full Monacor SOUND-4BT review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 2 x 30W RMS |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.5H x 5.5W x 6.7D in |
| Drivers | 1" dome tweeter, 4" woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered stereo pair, bass reflex |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth 4.0 aptX, optical, RCA, 3.5mm |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.58 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.10 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg)/pair |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Monacor SOUND-4BT vs Kanto YU4
- Monacor SOUND-4BT vs Audioengine A2+
- Monacor SOUND-4BT vs Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex
- Monacor SOUND-4BT vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Monacor SOUND-4BT vs Monoprice Monolith MM-3
- Monacor SOUND-4BT vs Sovox MiniMax3
- Monacor SOUND-4BT vs Audioengine HD3
- Monacor SOUND-4BT vs HiVi Swan X3
- See all 10 comparisons
Fiio SP3: $299.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Compact cabinets and angled bases fit a small desk. The existing review found useful dynamic capability at higher frequencies, so lack of output is not the only issue. Erin’s Klippel data shows a measured -3dB bass point around 60Hz, deeper than several similarly sized alternatives. Measured bass extension of 59Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The response rises strongly toward the treble, about 1.13dB per octave, with a recessed midrange and problematic crossover behavior. Its 3.56 standalone and 6.17 ideal-subwoofer scores do not capture the full practical impact of the review’s boomy bass and off-axis tonal problems. Changing angle trades one coloration for another. Those audible limitations weigh against it more heavily than its numerical score or build quality.
Full Fiio SP3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W total (30W midwoofer + 10W tweeter) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.4"H x 4.7"W x 5.2"D (163 x 120 x 132 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5" carbon fiber midwoofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | AUX, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.17 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 4.3 lbs (1.95 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons