Short answer: the Fluid Audio C35BT. It ranks #19 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.0/5, at $139; the Monoprice DT-3 ranks #24, rated 2.3/5, and costs $139.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Monoprice DT-3 does well: An inexpensive, compact powered pair with front volume control, auxiliary input and headphone output. Watch for: The measured response spans 7.6dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with large irregularities both on-axis and across the listening window.
What the Fluid Audio C35BT does well: Balanced TRS inputs, Bluetooth, front volume control and a headphone output make this inexpensive pair practical for a basic desktop setup. The catch: Preference scores of 2.57 standalone and 5.57 with an ideal subwoofer indicate that the limitations are not just missing bass.
Buy the Fluid Audio C35BT. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Monoprice DT-3 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Monoprice DT-3 | Fluid Audio C35BT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.99 per pair | $139 per pair |
| Ranked | #24 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #19 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way stereo pair, rear-ported | Powered 2-way, front-ported |
| Drivers | 0.75-inch tweeter, 3.5-inch woofer | 0.8" silk-dome tweeter, 3.5" composite woofer |
| Amplifier Power | 50W system | 64W total |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 69Hz (measured, Spinorama) | - |
| Inputs | Rear stereo RCA and front 3.5mm auxiliary | Bluetooth, RCA, 3.5mm, balanced TRS |
| Outputs | Front headphone | Headphone |
| Dimensions | 8H x 5.5W x 5.9D in each | 7.3H x 4.9W x 5.9D in |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.10 | 2.57 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.03 | 5.57 |
| Headphone Output | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| 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 | No | Yes, 5.0 |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | - | 10 lbs (4.52 kg) pair |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Fluid Audio C35BT
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Audioengine HD3
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Mackie CR3-X
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
Monoprice DT-3: $139.99 per pair Monoprice eBay
Pros: An inexpensive, compact powered pair with front volume control, auxiliary input and headphone output. Erin’s Klippel measurements put the -3dB bass point around 74Hz, sufficient for some upper-bass content at a desk.
Cons: The measured response spans 7.6dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with large irregularities both on-axis and across the listening window. Preference scores are 0.10 standalone and only 3.03 with an ideal subwoofer, the weakest comparable result in this group. That means adding bass support does not remove its major tonal problems. It offers little reason to choose it for accurate listening over better-measuring budget alternatives.
Full Monoprice DT-3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W system |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 69Hz (measured, Spinorama) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8H x 5.5W x 5.9D in each |
| Drivers | 0.75-inch tweeter, 3.5-inch woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way stereo pair, rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Rear stereo RCA and front 3.5mm auxiliary |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Front headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.10 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.03 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Fluid Audio C35BT: $139 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Balanced TRS inputs, Bluetooth, front volume control and a headphone output make this inexpensive pair practical for a basic desktop setup. ASR’s measured -3dB point is about 78Hz, so it covers more upper bass than the shallowest-reaching mini speakers.
Cons: Preference scores of 2.57 standalone and 5.57 with an ideal subwoofer indicate that the limitations are not just missing bass. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.555 and sound-power deviation of 0.657 show that response irregularities affect both direct and room-reflected sound. A subwoofer cannot correct those tonal problems, and the small drivers are not a basis for expecting high clean output.
Full Fluid Audio C35BT review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 64W total |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.3H x 4.9W x 5.9D in |
| Drivers | 0.8" silk-dome tweeter, 3.5" composite woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way, front-ported |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA, 3.5mm, balanced TRS |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.57 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.57 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.52 kg) pair |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Mackie CR3-X
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Fiio SP3
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs M-Audio BX3
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Audioengine HD3
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Monoprice Monolith MM-3
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Midiplus MI3 II
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- See all 9 comparisons