In this review, we will be comparing HD4 and HD3, 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 and Audioengine HD3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
HD4 and HD3 are members of Audioengine's HD series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Audioengine HD4 and Audioengine HD3 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both HD4 and HD3 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Audioengine HD4 |
Audioengine HD3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 2.75-inch
|
HD4 features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Aramid Woofer . On the other hand, the HD3 features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 2.75" Kevlar/Glass-Aramid Composite Woofer .
Frequency Response
HD4 has a frequency range of 60-22k Hz whereas HD3 has a frequency range of 65-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 60Hz, the HD4 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the HD3's min frequency of 65Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both HD4 and HD3 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
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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's and Audioengine HD3's external dimensions. Audioengine HD4 has external dimensions of 231.8 x 138.1 x 225.4mm ( 9.125 x 5.4375 x 8.875inch) whereas Audioengine HD3 has external dimensions of 231.8 x 108.0 x 177.8mm ( 9.125 x 4.25 x 7.25inch) .
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 is approximately 311.3cm2 / 48.3inch2 and base area of the Audioengine HD3 is approximately 192.0cm2 / 29.8inch2. The HD4 requires 62% more surface area than the HD3 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 weighs 2.40kg / 5.3lbs and the Audioengine HD3 weighs 1.55kg / 3.4lbs. This makes the HD4 55% heavier than the HD3.
Here is a comparison of how HD4 and HD3'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?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of HD4:
Powered speakerPassive speaker2 Grilles (pre-installed)6-feet AC power cordBluetooth antenna5-feet microUSB-to-USB cable6.5-feet Speaker cable (banana connectors on each end)5-feet Stereo minijack cable6-feet Stereo RCA cable2 Microfiber speaker bags2 MIcrofiber cable bagsQuickstart GuideProduct Line Brochure
What's in the Box of Audioengine HD3?
Here are the items that come with the HD3:
Powered speakerPassive speaker2 Grilles (pre-installed)AC power supply (attached 6-feet DC cord)6-feet AC power cordBluetooth antenna5-feet microUSB-to-USB cable6.5-feet Speaker cable (banana connectors on each end)5-feet Stereo minijack cable2 Microfiber speaker bagsMIcrofiber cable bagQuickstart GuideProduct Line Brochure
 Woofer Size |
4 inches
vs
2.75 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
60 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 USB Port |
microUSB
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 Base Surface Area |
192cm2 (108x177mm)
vs
311cm2 (138x225mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
449USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| USB Port |
microUSB
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
| General |
Audioengine HD4 |
Audioengine HD3 |
| Brand |
Audioengine |
Audioengine |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
60-22k Hz |
65-22k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
60-watt RMS |
30-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
120-watt RMS |
60-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
48 kHz |
48 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
2.75" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aramid |
Kevlar/Glass-Aramid Composite |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
231.8mm (9.1") |
231.8mm (9.1") |
| Width |
138.1mm (5.4") |
108.0mm (4.3") |
| Depth |
225.4mm (8.9") |
177.8mm (7") |
| Weight |
2.40kg (5.3lbs) |
1.55kg (3.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black, Walnut |
Black, Walnut, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
3.5mm, RCA |
3.5mm, RCA |
| USB Port |
microUSB |
microUSB |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
Wired |
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 |