Short answer: the StarkSound Beta 5. It ranks #50 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $499. The Monolith Encore B6 ranks #63, rated 3.9/5, at $360, $139 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the StarkSound Beta 5: Impressive bass extension for the price: F3 at 52Hz, F10 at 37Hz, reaching down to 40-50Hz in-room with solid kick-drum impact. Watch for: Sensitivity undershoots its own spec: rated 86dB, measured closer to 83dB.
The case for the Monolith Encore B6: For its budget price, the B6 delivers useful midbass punch and a long reflex tail: Erin measured F3 at 68Hz and F10 near 37Hz. The tradeoff: Erin measured 85.3dB sensitivity and a 3.4-ohm minimum, so this is not an easy load despite its modest output ceiling.
Buy the StarkSound Beta 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $139 you would save on the Monolith Encore B6 does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| StarkSound Beta 5 | Monolith Encore B6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.00 per pair | $360 per pair |
| Ranked | #50 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #63 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 11.9” x 7.2” x 13” (302 x 182 x 330 mm) | 15.7H x 7.9W x 9.9D inches |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal; 3.4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85.3dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1.15” tweeter, 5.25” dry-carbon woofer | 6.5-inch pulp woofer; 25mm waveguided silk dome |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported | - |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 23kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2200Hz | - |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (1m, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Recommended Power | 30W - 150W | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.93 |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
StarkSound Beta 5: $499.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Impressive bass extension for the price: F3 at 52Hz, F10 at 37Hz, reaching down to 40-50Hz in-room with solid kick-drum impact. Good harmonic distortion control at both moderate and loud listening levels. Solid build with a thick polycarbonate baffle meant to reduce cabinet resonance. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83dB.
Cons: Sensitivity undershoots its own spec: rated 86dB, measured closer to 83dB. A resonance artifact shows up independently in the on-axis response, burst decay, and impedance measurements, hurting directivity. Multitone distortion spikes to about 10% in the 800Hz-1kHz range, tied to woofer excursion: a subwoofer crossover helps. Needs to sit close to the wall (about 10 inches) or be EQ’d if placed further out, since the midrange sounds thin and the treble boosted otherwise.
Full StarkSound Beta 5 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2200Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.9” x 7.2” x 13” (302 x 182 x 330 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.15” tweeter, 5.25” dry-carbon woofer |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 23kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (1m, Manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | 30W - 150W |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Monolith Encore B6: $360 per pair Amazon Monoprice eBay
Pros: For its budget price, the B6 delivers useful midbass punch and a long reflex tail: Erin measured F3 at 68Hz and F10 near 37Hz. The revised tweeter assembly yields broadly smooth horizontal directivity and an early-reflections trend that accepts EQ well. At sane levels, its 6.5-inch pulp woofer provides satisfying attack, and gloss top/bottom panels plus a braced MDF cabinet are unusually substantial for the class. Measured bass extension of 68Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.3dB.
Cons: Erin measured 85.3dB sensitivity and a 3.4-ohm minimum, so this is not an easy load despite its modest output ceiling. Low-frequency compression reaches about 2dB and distortion rises rapidly when driven full-range; use an 80Hz subwoofer crossover. Response variation is roughly +2.7/-3.7dB, with residual crossover/treble irregularities that keep it from true neutrality without EQ. The listening window tightens vertically, so ear height matters.
Full Monolith Encore B6 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.7H x 7.9W x 9.9D inches |
| Drivers | 6.5-inch pulp woofer; 25mm waveguided silk dome |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal; 3.4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.3dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.93 |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons