Short answer: the Neumi BS5. It ranks #11 of 34 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $110; the Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit ranks #26 and costs $119.98, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Neumi BS5 offers: Exceptional budget value: Erin measured approximately +/-1.5dB on-axis linearity through most of the mid/treble, 84dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity and a manageable 4.6-ohm minimum. Watch for: Erin measured F3 at 64Hz, so kick-drum punch should not be mistaken for deep-bass extension.
What the Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit offers: Inexpensive, beginner-friendly CNC flat-pack kit with a compact 8 x 5-inch desktop footprint and only one 3.5-inch full-range driver per channel. Watch for: Despite the ‘full-range’ label, output rolls off around 120-150Hz and a subwoofer with an unusually high 100-200Hz crossover is effectively mandatory.
Buy the Neumi BS5. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit. It ranks near the bottom of the 34 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Neumi BS5 | Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $110/pair | $119.98 |
| Ranked | #11 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #26 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 84dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 81dB @ 1W/1m (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner and manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4.6 ohms minimum; approximately 6 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms (manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 1" silk-dome tweeter; 5" fiberglass woofer | 3.5" Dayton Audio PS95-8 full-range driver |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, bottom |
| Frequency Response | - | 120Hz-20kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | - | 8"H x 5"W x 6.5"D (203 x 127 x 165 mm) |
| Power Handling | - | 10W RMS / 20W maximum; 25W RMS with 50Hz high-pass |
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- JBL Stage A120 vs Jamo C 93 II
- ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 vs JBL Stage A120
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs JBL Stage A120
- Neumi BS5 vs Jamo S 803
- Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit vs Jamo S 803
The Two Speakers In Full
Neumi BS5: $110/pair Amazon
Pros: Exceptional budget value: Erin measured approximately +/-1.5dB on-axis linearity through most of the mid/treble, 84dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity and a manageable 4.6-ohm minimum. The 5-inch fiberglass woofer and 1-inch silk dome provide good horizontal directivity for the price; a mild upper-bass rise adds punch, and ordinary modern AVRs can generally drive the mostly six-ohm load at sensible levels.
Cons: Erin measured F3 at 64Hz, so kick-drum punch should not be mistaken for deep-bass extension. Output around 90dB began to reveal distortion and compression, limiting farfield/high-volume use. A narrow dip near 800Hz, port/cabinet resonances and imperfect crossover directivity remain visible; the tweeter itself is approximately four ohms even though the system is sold as nominal six ohms. A subwoofer is strongly preferred.
Full Neumi BS5 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 1" silk-dome tweeter; 5" fiberglass woofer |
| Impedance | 4.6 ohms minimum; approximately 6 ohms nominal (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 84dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
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Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit: $119.98 Parts Express
Pros: Inexpensive, beginner-friendly CNC flat-pack kit with a compact 8 x 5-inch desktop footprint and only one 3.5-inch full-range driver per channel. The point-source layout avoids a conventional woofer/tweeter crossover and, when listened to around 20 degrees above the driver as intended, can produce precise near-field imaging. Erin measured roughly 81dB sensitivity, consistent with Parts Express’s specification. The included baffle-step network improves lower-midrange balance, while the optional series inductor reduces the driver’s rising top end; Erin recommends retaining it. Several remaining narrow peaks can be corrected with desktop software EQ. Bottom porting conserves desk space, and unfinished MDF invites custom finishing.
Cons: Despite the ‘full-range’ label, output rolls off around 120-150Hz and a subwoofer with an unusually high 100-200Hz crossover is effectively mandatory. Native response has resonances near roughly 2.1kHz and 8kHz plus a broad 14-20kHz rise of 5-8dB, so it is not smooth without the supplied network and additional EQ. Distortion already exceeds 3% in places at 86dB/1m and becomes extreme at 96dB. Erin’s multitone test approached -10dB distortion (roughly 30%) full-range at the highest level, accompanied by 3-4dB compression; even a 200Hz high-pass leaves roughly 3-5% distortion and 2-3dB compression. The angled cabinet demands a specific near-field ear height, and its very low sensitivity plus 10W RMS power rating leave almost no clean-output headroom for room listening.
Full Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 8"H x 5"W x 6.5"D (203 x 127 x 165 mm) |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 3.5" Dayton Audio PS95-8 full-range driver |
| Frequency Response | 120Hz-20kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 10W RMS / 20W maximum; 25W RMS with 50Hz high-pass |
| Sensitivity | 81dB @ 1W/1m (measured by Erin's Audio Corner and manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, bottom |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons