Short answer: the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus. It ranks #19 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $699.99; the Airpulse A100 ranks #34, rated 4.0/5, and costs $999.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. Erin’s Klippel data combines a small 1.7dB midrange response span with a -3dB point around 44Hz. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.57 against 4.56 for the Airpulse A100. Its bass reaches about 42Hz before falling 3dB, against 63Hz for the Airpulse A100. It supports aptX HD Bluetooth, which the Airpulse A100 lacks. The catch: A mild 4-6kHz edge and a smaller 1-2kHz recession were audible in the review, so its smooth midrange summary does not mean there is nothing to improve with EQ.
Why pick the Airpulse A100: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 4.56 standalone and 7.08 with an ideal subwoofer. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus lacks. The catch: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight.
Buy the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Airpulse A100 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus | Airpulse A100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.99 per pair | $999.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #19 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #34 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5.25” aluminum-cone woofer with XBL motor, 5.25” passive radiator (rear), 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| Amplifier Power | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | SBC, aptX |
| Dimensions | 10” x 6.5” x 8” (254 x 165 x 203 mm) | 6.3” x 11.1” x 10” (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) (passive unit), 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) (active unit) | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified, Flat mode) | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.57 | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.38 | 7.08 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| App | - | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| EQ | - | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus compares with other leading options:
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Genelec 8331A
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Genelec 8030C
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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
Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus: $699.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore (ranked lower, rated 3.9/5).
Pros: Erin’s Klippel data combines a small 1.7dB midrange response span with a -3dB point around 44Hz. Scores of 5.57 standalone and 7.38 with an ideal subwoofer make it an attractive standalone system as well as a subwoofer partner. Remote tone controls, multiple digital and analog inputs, and automatic subwoofer crossover engagement simplify setup. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A mild 4-6kHz edge and a smaller 1-2kHz recession were audible in the review, so its smooth midrange summary does not mean there is nothing to improve with EQ. No HDMI ARC. Deep bass and louder playback still benefit from a subwoofer; amplifier wattage alone does not establish clean room-filling output.
Full Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 10” x 6.5” x 8” (254 x 165 x 203 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” aluminum-cone woofer with XBL motor, 5.25” passive radiator (rear), 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified, Flat mode) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.57 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.38 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) (passive unit), 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) (active unit) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Airpulse A100: $999.99 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Airpulse A60 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.8/5), the Airpulse A80 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 3.9/5) and the Airpulse A200T (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4/5).
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 4.56 standalone and 7.08 with an ideal subwoofer. The ribbon tweeter and five-inch woofer provide a distinctive compact powered system, with remote control and a subwoofer output simplifying everyday use. Measured bass extension of 63.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.419 shows more local tonal variation than the leading monitors. Rear tone controls are less flexible than parametric EQ or room correction. Neither the ribbon tweeter nor a directivity-index summary establishes uniquely wide or perfectly controlled dispersion. The remote cannot reach the rear bass and treble knobs, and there is no app EQ.
Full Airpulse A100 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| App | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 11.1” x 10” (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| EQ | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.08 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons