Short answer: the Onkyo GX-30ARC. It ranks #57 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $349; the Palmer STUDIMON 5 ranks #68, rated 3.6/5, and costs $599.98, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Onkyo GX-30ARC does well: A compact desk or TV speaker pair with HDMI ARC, optical and USB inputs in one simple setup. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Palmer STUDIMON 5 lacks. The catch: The response rises toward the treble by about 0.48dB per octave.
Why pick the Palmer STUDIMON 5: A plain compact studio monitor with balanced XLR and TRS inputs that fits easily into a home studio setup. Watch for: The trace spans 4.0dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and estimates -3dB bass around 80Hz, with local irregularities despite the level overall trend.
Buy the Onkyo GX-30ARC. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Palmer STUDIMON 5 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Onkyo GX-30ARC | Palmer STUDIMON 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.00 per pair | $599.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #57 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #68 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered, rear-ported | 2-way active, rear-ported |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter, 4” woofer | 0.75” soft-dome tweeter, 5” woofer |
| Dimensions | approx. 8.7H x 5.8W x 7.9D in each | 10.6H x 7.5W x 8.5D in |
| Amplifier Power | Class D amplification | 60W each (30W LF, 30W HF) |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB-C, optical, phono/line, 3.5mm aux, Bluetooth 5.3 | Balanced XLR and 1/4” TRS |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| Country | Japan (design) | Germany (design) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.69 | 3.48 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.42 | 6.37 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | Yes | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) (primary speaker) | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) each |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
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