Short answer: the Sovox MiniMax3 if sound quality matters most, the Audioengine A2+ if price matters most. The Sovox MiniMax3 ranks #9 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 3.7/5, at $650. The Audioengine A2+ ranks #12, rated 3.4/5, at $279, $371 cheaper.
The case for the Sovox MiniMax3: A coaxial midrange and tweeter give a wide, even sweet spot, and a listening-window smoothness of 0.78 lifts it to a 6.48 preference score with an ideal subwoofer, so tonal balance holds as you shift around a desk. The catch: Output tops out around 86dB, with heavy compression and very high distortion as it gets there, so it only suits nearfield listening at modest volume.
The case for the Audioengine A2+: Erin’s Klippel measurements give a 5.39 predicted preference score with an ideal subwoofer. The catch: The 2.07 standalone score and roughly 106Hz measured -3dB point reveal how much bass is missing without reinforcement or a subwoofer.
Buy the Sovox MiniMax3 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Audioengine A2+ when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sovox MiniMax3 | Audioengine A2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $650 per pair | $279.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #9 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #12 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 105.5Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 58.9Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 7.7"H x 4.3"W x 7.9"D (195 x 110 x 200 mm) | 6" x 4" x 5.2" (152 x 102 x 133 mm) |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) each | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) left / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) right |
| Drivers | 3 in. carbon fiber coaxial midrange with 1 in. silk dome tweeter, 3.5 in. carbon fiber woofer, 5 in. passive radiator | 0.75" silk dome tweeter, 2.75" fiber woofer |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA | RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| DSP | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (Free, Desk, Wall and Desk & Wall presets; treble and bass trims) | No (fixed volume knob only) |
| Amplifier Power | 68.6W total (44.3W LF + 17.95W MF + 6.32W HF Class D) | 15W RMS / 30W peak per channel |
| Maximum SPL | 97dB @ 1m short term (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 20kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 22kHz (+-2dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.84 | 1.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.48 | 4.81 |
| Subwoofer Output | No | Yes |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| App | - | No |
| Outputs | - | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sovox MiniMax3:
- Sovox MiniMax3 vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
- Sovox MiniMax3 vs HiVi Swan X3
- Sovox MiniMax3 vs Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex
- Sovox MiniMax3 vs Monacor SOUND-4BT
- Sovox MiniMax3 vs Kanto YU4
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Sovox MiniMax3: $650 per pair Sovox eBay
Pros: A coaxial midrange and tweeter give a wide, even sweet spot, and a listening-window smoothness of 0.78 lifts it to a 6.48 preference score with an ideal subwoofer, so tonal balance holds as you shift around a desk. The 3.5-inch woofer and 5-inch passive radiator reach 66Hz at -3dB and about 53Hz at -12dB, deeper than most speakers this small. The unibody aluminum enclosure is solid and only 195mm tall, and Free, Desk, Wall and Desk & Wall presets plus treble and bass trims adapt it to its placement. Measured bass extension of 66Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Output tops out around 86dB, with heavy compression and very high distortion as it gets there, so it only suits nearfield listening at modest volume. Treble rises on axis (+0.35dB per octave), which holds its standalone preference score to 3.84; toeing it about 10 degrees away from your ears smooths the top end. Bass falls away quickly below 60Hz and there is no subwoofer output, and inputs are limited to balanced XLR and RCA.
Full Sovox MiniMax3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 68.6W total (44.3W LF + 17.95W MF + 6.32W HF Class D) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 7.7"H x 4.3"W x 7.9"D (195 x 110 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 in. carbon fiber coaxial midrange with 1 in. silk dome tweeter, 3.5 in. carbon fiber woofer, 5 in. passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes (Free, Desk, Wall and Desk & Wall presets; treble and bass trims) |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 20kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Maximum SPL | 97dB @ 1m short term (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.48 |
| Subwoofer Output | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audioengine A2+: $279.00 per pair Amazon Audioengine eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel measurements give a 5.39 predicted preference score with an ideal subwoofer. The tiny footprint, multiple inputs and variable RCA output are useful for desktop listening. The existing review found desk placement more forgiving than free-space placement, with no major port-chuffing problem in its tests. Measured bass extension of 105.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 2.07 standalone score and roughly 106Hz measured -3dB point reveal how much bass is missing without reinforcement or a subwoofer. Midrange and crossover-region dips remain; desk gain is placement-dependent and cannot be assumed to correct them. Compression becomes substantial above roughly 87dB at 1m in the review, so this is a quiet nearfield option rather than a high-output monitor.
Full Audioengine A2+ review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 15W RMS / 30W peak per channel |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.9Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 105.5Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6" x 4" x 5.2" (152 x 102 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75" silk dome tweeter, 2.75" fiber woofer |
| EQ | No (fixed volume knob only) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 22kHz (+-2dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.81 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) left / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) right |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine A2+ vs Monacor SOUND-4BT
- Audioengine A2+ vs Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex
- Audioengine A2+ vs Kanto YU4
- Audioengine A2+ vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Audioengine A2+ vs Edifier MR3
- Audioengine A2+ vs Monoprice Monolith MM-3
- Audioengine A2+ vs HiVi Swan X3
- Audioengine A2+ vs Mackie CR3-X
- See all 16 comparisons