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Audioengine HD4 vs Audioengine HD3 Comparison

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Audioengine HD4

Powered Bookshelf | 60-22k Hz

Audioengine HD4
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Audioengine HD3

Powered Bookshelf | 65-22k Hz

Audioengine HD3
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Audioengine HD4 Audioengine HD4
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Audioengine HD3 Audioengine HD3
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Audioengine HD4
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Audioengine HD3
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Audioengine HD4 vs Audioengine HD3 Speaker Comparison

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.

Audioengine HD4 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 60-watt RMS( 120-watt Peak) Integrated Amplifier
  • 0.75" Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 4" Aramid Woofer
  • 60-22k Hz Frequency Response
  • 24-bit Max Depth / 48 kHz Max Sample Rate
  • Built-in 5.0 Bluetooth
  • Weight:2.40kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 231.8" x 5.4375" x 8.875"( 231.8 x 138.1 x 225.4mm )

Audioengine HD3 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 30-watt RMS( 60-watt Peak) Integrated Amplifier
  • 0.75" Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 2.75" Kevlar/Glass-Aramid Composite Woofer
  • 65-22k Hz Frequency Response
  • 24-bit Max Depth / 48 kHz Max Sample Rate
  • Built-in 5.0 Bluetooth
  • Weight:1.55kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 231.8" x 4.25" x 7.25"( 231.8 x 108.0 x 177.8mm )

HD4 and HD3 are members of Audioengine's HD series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

Audioengine HD Series History
Model Body Frequency Watts RMSMax Depth / Sample Rate Woofer
Audioengine HD4
Bookshelf 60-22k Hz 60-watt24-bit/48 kHzΩ 1 x 4"
Audioengine HD6
  
Bookshelf 50-22k Hz 100-watt24-bit/192 kHzΩ 1 x 5.5"
Audioengine HD3
Bookshelf 65-22k Hz 30-watt24-bit/48 kHzΩ 1 x 2.75"
Audioengine HD5
  
Bookshelf 55-22k Hz 100-watt24-bit/192 kHzΩ 1 x 5"

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.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


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

HD4
HD3
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Audioengine HD4
Audioengine HD3
Min
Average
Max

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
Audioengine HD4
Audioengine HD3
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Audioengine HD4?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of 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
  • What's in the Box of Audioengine HD3?

    Here are the items that come with the HD3:
  • Powered speaker
  • Passive speaker
  • 2 Grilles (pre-installed)
  • AC power supply (attached 6-feet DC cord)
  • 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
  • 2 Microfiber speaker bags
  • MIcrofiber cable bag
  • Quickstart Guide
  • Product Line Brochure

  • Reasons to choose Audioengine HD4 over Audioengine HD3
    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

    Reasons to choose Audioengine HD3 over Audioengine HD4

    Base Surface Area 192cm2 vs 311cm2 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
    Audioengine HD4 vs Audioengine HD3 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    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

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