Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers

This page ranks 24 medium size powered bookshelf speakers. The Medium Bookshelf class of speakers generally have woofers between 4” to 6”. These speakers will generally be the best size/performance trade-off for most people. The Bookshelf class have no battery, come in pairs and generally will sound better than most portable battery Bluetooth speakers. Bigger woofers will have deeper bass but the speaker will generally be larger and heavier. They all come with a built in amp so you can play directly from your phone or laptop.

For general listening I would not hesitate to recommend any of these speakers on this page except for the ones at the bottom labeled not recommended. Nearly all of these sound fantastic. Studio monitoring use is more critical and I would generally recommend something near the top and consider adding a subwoofer.

Also check out Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers, Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers, Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers and Large Size Bookshelf Speakers

For running karaoke, check out Karaoke Setups

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#1 Neumann KH120 MKII [Bhphotovideo] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $2000 a pair

Positives: The top rated speaker in this category. Amazingly flat frequency response, fantastic off axis. Bass extension is quite good for this size.
Negatives: High price
Dimensions: 11.3”H x 7.2”W x 8.9”D
Bass Extension (-3dB): 46hz
Bass Extension (-10dB): 36hz
Weight: 11.9lbs / 6.6kg each
Watts: 200w Per Speaker
Tweeter: 1”
Woofer: 5.25”
Inputs: XLR
Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements
Links
- Official Product Page

#2 Genelec 8030C [Bhphotovideo] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $1590 a pair

Positives: One of the best speakers in this size class
Negatives: High price
Dimensions: 11.7”H x 7.4”W x 7”D
Bass Extension (-3dB): 59hz
Bass Extension (-10dB): 47hz
Weight: 11lbs / 5kg each
Watts: 100w Per Speaker
Woofer: 5.1”
Inputs: XLR
Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements
Links
- Official Product Page

#3 Genelec 8020D [Guitar-center] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $1100 a pair

Positives: Slightly better than the HS5 for neutrality with deeper bass.
Negatives: High price
Frequency Response: 56 Hz - 25 kHz (-6 dB)
Dimensions: 9.5”H x 5.8”W x 5.6”D
Weight: 7.1lbs / 3.2kg each
Watts: 100w Per Speaker
Woofer: 4.1”
Inputs: XLR
Comparisons and Sound Samples
Links
- Official Product Page

#4 Neumann KH80 DSP [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $1100 a pair

Positives: Near identical sound to the 8020D. 8020D is slightly cleaner, KH80 is slightly warmer.
Negatives: High price
Frequency Response: 57 Hz - 25 kHz (+-3 dB)
Dimensions: 13.6”H x 10.8”W x 9.6”D
Weight: 9.1lbs / 4.1kg each
Watts: 140w Per Speaker
Woofer: 4.1”
Inputs: XLR
Comparisons and Sound Samples
Links

#5 Kali LP-UNF [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $350 a pair

Positives: An insane value in this class. Slight 2dB bass boost. Pretty deep bass for this size class. Includes Bluetooth
Negatives: 3dB dip around 240hz
Bass Extension (-3dB): 54hz
Bass Extension (-10dB): 39hz
Tweeter: 1” Textile Dome
Woofer: 4.5”
Inputs: Bluetooth, USB-C (digital), RCA, TRS
Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Absolute Favorite Products of 2024 Revealed
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 10 Great (and Terrible) Speakers Under $300!
Links
- Official Product Page

#9 Yamaha HS5 [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $400 a pair

Positives: Very neutral. Excellent for mixing and anything needing a neutral output.
Negatives: Not quite as deep of bass as some of the others in this size class. Slight midrange boost.
Frequency Response: 58Hz – 24kHz (-3dB)
Dimensions: 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D
Weight: 12.1lbs / 5.5kg each
Watts: 45w Per Speaker
Woofer: 5”
Inputs: XLR
Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO
Links
- Official Product Page
- Audio Science Review Measurements

#10 Presonus Eris E5 [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $400 a pair

Negatives: More HiFi sounding than the HS5 and not quite as detailed, although with deeper bass and a more fun listen.
Frequency Response: 53Hz – 22kHz
Dimensions: 10.2”H x 7.0”W x 7.7”D
Weight: 10.2lbs / 4.6kg each
Watts: 80w Per Speaker
Woofer: 5”
Inputs: TRS, XLR, RCA
Comparisons and Sound Samples
Links
- Official Product Page

#11 KRK Rokit 5 G4 [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $337

Positives: Deeper bass than the HS5
Negatives: Not quite as detailed as the HS5, not as good for mixing. A little more hifi sounding
Frequency Response: 58Hz – 24kHz (-3dB)
Dimensions: 11.2”H x 7.5”W x 9.5”D
Weight: 10.7lbs / 4.9kg each
Watts: 55w Per Speaker
Woofer: 5”
Inputs: TRS/XLR
Comparisons and Sound Samples
Links
- Official Product Page
- Audio Science Review Measurements

#12 Presonus Eris E5 XT [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $300 a pair

Negatives: More HiFi sounding than a studio monitor. Not as good as the E5. Very close to the Rokit 5, but these sound slightly colored.
Frequency Response: 53Hz – 22kHz
Dimensions: 10.2”H x 7.0”W x 7.7”D
Weight: 10.2lbs / 4.6kg each
Watts: 80w Per Speaker
Woofer: 5”
Inputs: TRS, XLR, RCA
Comparisons and Sound Samples
Links
- Official Product Page

#13 IK Multimedia iLoud MTM [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $800 a pair

Positives: The absolute deepest bass out of a speaker this narrow
Negatives: Boosted bass, more hifi sounding than neutral
Frequency Response: 50 Hz - 24 kHz (-3dB)
Dimensions: 10.4”H x 5.1”W x 6.3”D
Weight: 5.5lbs / 2.5kg
Watts: 100w Per Speaker
Woofer: 2x 3.5”
Inputs: XLR
Comparisons and Sound Samples
Links
- Official Product Page
- Audio Science Review Measurements

#14 Edifier S2000MKIII [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $550 a pair

Positives: High resolution digital input up to 192khz/24bit
Frequency Response: 45Hz-40KHz (-3dB)
Dimensions: 13.5”H x 7.8”W x 10.8”D
Watts: 65w RMS Per Speaker
Woofer: 5.5”
Inputs: Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax
Outputs: None
Comparisons and Sound Samples
Links
- Official Product Page

#15 Edifier S1000W [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $450 a pair

Positives: High resolution digital input up to 192khz/24bit. Wifi
Frequency Response: 45Hz-40KHz (-3dB)
Dimensions: 13.6”H x 7.6”W x 11.6”D
Weight: 37.0lbs / 16.8kg
Watts: 60w RMS Per Speaker
Woofer: 5.5”
Inputs: Bluetooth, Wifi, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax
Outputs: None
Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: Audioengine HD6 vs Edifier S1000DB 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier R2850DB vs Edifier S1000MKII sound.DEMO
Links
- Official Product Page

#16 Edifier S1000MKII [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $400 a pair

Positives: High resolution digital input up to 192khz/24bit. Very close to the S2000MKIII, almost no reason to pay more
Dimensions: 13.6”H x 7.6”W x 11.6”D
Weight: 37.0lbs / 16.8kg
Watts: 60w RMS Per Speaker
Woofer: 5.5”
Inputs: Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax
Outputs: None
Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S2000MKIII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier S3000PRO Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
Links
- Official Product Page

#17 KEF LSX II LT [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $930

Negatives: 3db dip at 500hz and a little jagged up top. Quite good off-axis
Dimensions: 9.5”H x 6.1”W x 7.1”D
Weight: 15.0lbs / 6.8kg
Watts: 100w RMS Per Speaker
Tweeter: 19mm (0.75in.) aluminium dome
Woofer: 115mm (4.5in.) magnesium/aluminium alloy cone
Inputs: Wifi, USB-C, HDMI, Optical, Bluetooth
Outputs: RCA Subwoofer
Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Transform Your Sound System with the KEF LSX II LT Speaker
Links
- Official Product Page

#18 KRK Classic 5 [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $280

Positives: Good soundstage
Negatives: More hifi than studio monitors
Frequency Response: 56Hz-30KHz (+-3dB)
Dimensions: 9.7”H x 7.4”W x 11.2”D
Weight: 13.0lbs / 5.87kg
Watts: 50w RMS Per Speaker
Woofer: 5”
Inputs: RCA, TRS, XLR
Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S2000MKIII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier S3000PRO Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
Links
- Official Product Page
- Audio Science Review Measurements

#19 Audioengine HD6 [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $700 a pair

Negatives: A bit of an accentuated treble and bass. Slight dip in the midrange.
Frequency Response: 45Hz-40KHz (-3dB)
Dimensions: 13.6”H x 7.6”W x 11.6”D
Weight: 17.5lbs / 7.9kg
Dimensions: 11.75”H x 7.25”W x 10”D
Watts: 50w RMS Per Speaker
Woofer: 5.5”
Inputs: Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input, Digital Optical
Outputs: RCA Output
Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: Audioengine HD6 vs Edifier S1000DB 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Audioengine HD6 vs Audioengine A5+ 5 Track Comparison
Links
- Official Product Page

#20 Edifier R2000DB [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $250 a pair

Negatives: Slight lacking of bass and treble, slight inverted V EQ profile
Frequency Response: 55Hz-40KHz (-3dB)
Dimensions: 13.6”H x 7.6”W x 11.6”D
Weight: 17.5lbs / 7.9kg
Dimensions: 11.25”H x 7.5”W x 9.5”D
Watts: 60w RMS Per Speaker
Woofer: 5”
Inputs: Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical
Comparisons and Sound Samples
Links
- Official Product Page

#21 Edifier MR4 [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $130 a pair

Positives: More balanced than the R1280DB. The value king.
Negatives: No Bluetooth unlike other Edifier models
Frequency Response: 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB)
Dimensions: 9.0”H x 5.5”W x 7.6”D
Weight: 9.9lbs / 4.5kg
Watts: 42w RMS Per Speaker
Woofer: 4”
Inputs: TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux
Outputs: Headphone
Comparisons and Sound Samples
Links

#22 Edifier R1700BT [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $180 a pair

Negatives: more V shaped, not quite as neutral sounding as the Edifier MR4
Frequency Response: 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB)
Dimensions: 10”H x 6.1”W x 8.4”D
Weight: 14.5lbs / 6.6kg
Watts: 66w RMS Per Speaker
Woofer: 4”
Inputs: Bluetooth, RCA Input
Outputs: None
Comparisons and Sound Samples
Links
- Official Product Page

#23 Edifier R1280DB [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $150 a pair

Negatives: Not quite as neutral sounding as the Edifier MR4
Frequency Response: 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB)
Dimensions: 9.2”H x 5.7”W x 7.7”D
Weight: 10.8lbs / 4.9kg
Watts: 42w RMS Per Speaker
Woofer: 4”
Inputs: Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax
Outputs: None
Comparisons and Sound Samples
Links
- Official Product Page
- Audio Science Review Measurements

#24 Audioengine HD4 [Amazon] [Ebay] [Used Listings]: $400 a pair

Negatives: Not a great sounding speaker for the high price.
Frequency Response: 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB)
Weight: 7.2lbs / 3.3kg
Dimensions: 9”H x 5.5”W x 6.5”D
Watts: 50w RMS Per Speaker
Woofer: 4”
Inputs: Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input
Outputs: RCA Output
Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier R1855DB vs Audioengine HD4 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Audioengine HD3 vs Audioengine HD4 sound.DEMO
Links
- Official Product Page

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