In this review, we will be comparing HD4 Next Gen and HD4, two Powered Bookshelf speakers by Audioengine. Being Powered speakers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Audioengine HD4 Next Gen and Audioengine HD4 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Audioengine HD4 Next Gen | Audioengine HD4 |
|---|
| Brand | Audioengine
United States · founded 2005 | Audioengine
United States · founded 2005 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 60-watt RMS (120-watt peak) | 60-watt RMS (120-watt peak) |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Soft-Dome | 0.75" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4" Aramid | 4" Aramid |
|---|
| Frequency response | 60-22k Hz | 60-22k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 24-bit / 96 kHz | 24-bit / 48 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 5.3 | Built-in 5.0 |
|---|
| Weight | 2.40kg / 5.3lbs | 2.40kg / 5.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9" x 5.5" x 6.5"
228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1mm | 9" x 5.5" x 6.5"
228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1mm |
|---|
HD4 Next Gen and HD4 are members of Audioengine's HD series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Audioengine HD Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both HD4 Next Gen and HD4 are 2-way speakers.
Audioengine HD4 Next GenAudioengine HD4
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Audioengine HD4 Next Gen |
Audioengine HD4 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 4-inch
|
HD4 Next Gen features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Aramid Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz. On the other hand, the HD4 features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Aramid Woofer.
Frequency Response
HD4 Next Gen and HD4 has exactly the same frequency range of 60-22k Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both HD4 Next Gen and HD4 have front firing ports. front ported speakers offers more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls&surfaces compared to rear ported speakers.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Audioengine HD4 Next Gen's and Audioengine HD4's external dimensions. Audioengine HD4 Next Gen has external dimensions of 228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1mm (9 x 5.5 x 6.5inch) whereas Audioengine HD4 has external dimensions of 228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1mm (9 x 5.5 x 6.5inch).
In this case, we can see that Audioengine HD4 Next Gen and Audioengine HD4 have the exact same height, width and thickness.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Near-identical footprints.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Audioengine HD4 Next Gen is approximately 230.6cm2 / 35.7inch2 and base area of the Audioengine HD4 is approximately 230.6cm2 / 35.7inch2.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Audioengine HD4 Next Gen weighs 2.40kg / 5.3lbs and the Audioengine HD4 weighs 2.40kg / 5.3lbs.
Here is a comparison of how HD4 Next Gen and HD4's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Audioengine HD4 Next Gen?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of HD4 Next Gen:
- Powered left speaker
- Passive right speaker
- Bluetooth antenna
- Banana plug speaker cable
- AC power cord
- USB-C cable
- Mini-jack audio cable
- RCA audio cable
- 2 microfiber speaker bags
- 2 microfiber cable bags
- Setup guide
What's in the Box of Audioengine HD4?
Here are the items that come with the HD4:
- Powered speaker
- Passive speaker
- 2 Grilles (pre-installed)
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Bluetooth antenna
- 5-feet microUSB-to-USB cable
- 6.5-feet Speaker cable (banana connectors on each end)
- 5-feet Stereo minijack cable
- 6-feet Stereo RCA cable
- 2 Microfiber speaker bags
- 2 MIcrofiber cable bags
- Quickstart Guide
- Product Line Brochure
 Price per pair* |
429USD
vs
449USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 USB Port |
USB-C
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
|
USB Port |
microUSB
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
| General |
Audioengine HD4 Next Gen |
Audioengine HD4 |
| Brand |
Audioengine |
Audioengine |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
60-22k Hz |
60-22k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
60-watt RMS |
60-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
120-watt RMS |
120-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
96 kHz |
48 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aramid |
Aramid |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
3000Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
228.6mm (9") |
228.6mm (9") |
| Width |
139.7mm (5.5") |
139.7mm (5.5") |
| Depth |
165.1mm (6.5") |
165.1mm (6.5") |
| Weight |
2.40kg (5.3lbs) |
2.40kg (5.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Satin Black, Walnut, Hi-Gloss Piano White |
Black, Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
3.5mm, RCA |
3.5mm, RCA |
| USB Port |
USB-C |
microUSB |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
RCA variable line-out |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
No |
No |
| HDMI Input |
No |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
3.5mm |
3.5mm |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
Siblings in Audioengine's HD series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (60Hz vs 60Hz). |
| Built-in power | evenly matched | Similar onboard amplification (60W vs 60W RMS). |
| Connections | evenly matched | The same set of inputs and streaming options. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Audioengine HD4 Next Gen: a sub output; Audioengine HD4: a sub output. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($429 vs $449 a pair). |
A Audioengine HD4 Next Gen B Audioengine HD4
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.