Audioengine HD3 Speakers review: Excellent Hi-Fi Audio

2023-01-10 | Yvonne

Tip: The Audioengine HD3 speakers are one of the best ways to get into Hi-Fi audio, thanks to the built-in DAC and headphone amplifier. These additional features come at a fairly hefty price, but we think they’re well worth the money.

Audioengine HD3 speaker review: Great Hi-Fi AudioThe AudioengineHD3 speakers offer excellent Hi-Fi sound quality thanks to their built-in DAC/headphone amplifier. Although these extra features are quite expensive, we believe they are well-worth it.

Audioengine HD3 Speakers

We like this

Aesthetics
High quality sound
Built-in DAC
Built-in headphone amplifier
Bluetooth

The Things We Hate

High-end
A little lacking in the high and bass end

Although the Audioengine HD3 speaker may look costly, their built-in DAC and headphone amplifier and Bluetooth connectivity make them great for audio-quality multimedia.

This article explains.

Design
High Quality Music
High Quality Movies and Games
Headphone Amplifier and DAC
Prices
Concurrence
Final Verdict
Specifications

Audioengine HD3 was purchased by us so that our reviewer could fully test it and evaluate its quality. Continue reading to see our complete product review.

There are many options when it comes to computer speakers. But few choices will be as good as Audioengine HD3. The speakers are beautiful in their wood finish, and they have great sound quality. They also come with built-in audio processing and Bluetooth. These desktop speakers were tested over a period of one week. We listened to music and watched a few movies. The Bluetooth settings, as well as the built-in digital converter (DAC) allowed us to play around with them. You can read on to find out if the high cost is justified.

Design: Premium

Many speakers don't have a very attractive look. Audioengine HD3 is different. Our pair was covered in an 80s-style Walnut with a metal accent on each speaker. You can also choose from a Satin Black or Cherry finish.

These speakers are just 7" tall by 4", so they can easily fit on most desks. The Audioengine HD3's lightweight of just 4 and 3.4 lbs for each speaker makes them extremely portable.

Each speaker's front is protected by a dust cover made of magnetic mesh. This protects the drivers. An air vent is located on the front of each speaker. It pumps cool air into the system while you play. This surprised us at first as we had to write while the speakers were behind our keyboard.

All buttons and dials are located on the left speaker. They include a volume knob, an amplifier-powered headphone jack, and a Bluetooth pairing switch. The power input, the output to the right speaker and the RCA input are all located at the back. It's pretty basic, but what really makes this unit stand out is its antenna for Bluetooth or the USB input that allows you to use the built-in DAC. Although the right speaker looks almost identical to its left counterpart, it only accepts input from the left speaker.

Quality of music: Excellent for listening to, but lacking in the bass

There are many sets of computer speakers that can be used for all purposes. We mean they will be good enough to play music and movies, but not excel at one particular thing.

However, the Audioengine HD3 speakers are clearly meant to be used for music. The bass is the most important aspect. HD3 features 2.75-inch silkwoofers. The bass is audible but not the main focus. Thanks to 0.75 inch tweeters, the highs and mids are the main stars. You might lose some highs during loud music.

It is a compelling product thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity and built-in DAC.

We listened to a variety of music while we tested these speakers.From M.I.A's "Come Walk With Me" to Mozart's "Requiem", to Sufjan Stevens’ "Futile Devices" All the instruments were good but Sufjan Stevens and Mozart stole show because of their more subtle instrumentation.

The Sufjan Stevens song features the banjo, guitar and piano all clearly audible. Stevens' voice is heard above them all. This beautiful Indie Folk song is made more vivid by these speakers. We noticed some fainter instruments getting lost in the background during 'Dies Irae,' near the end of Mozart's "Requiem".

The M.I.A. track was where the HD3 speakers failed most. The HD3 speakers suffered the most during the M.I.A. track. These speakers produced a bass that is often loud and shakes the room. You will need to pair the HD3 with a subwoofer, if you intend to use them for music. We recommend that you pair them with a Subwoofer, no matter the type of music.

Game and Movie Quality: Excellent for mids and highs, but not so good in the lows

These speakers can do more than just play music. The music and effects were great in the trailer for Avengers: Endgame. However, there was something missing from the low end. The moment Stormbreaker smashed Thor's hand in the trailer didn't have quite the impact we had when it was shown to us in the theaters.

The Division 2 was a great game. We were able to feel the atmosphere of Washington DC, post-apocalyptic Washington DC come alive and immerse us in it. However, when we entered combat, our kick from the sniper rifle or the blasts of the grenades did not have the same impact as our gaming headset.

These speakers are small, so don't dismiss them for not having booming bass. You can find bookshelf speakers that have better bass but will take up more space than the Audioengine HD3. It is important to consider what speakers you will need and how much space you have.

DAC & Headphone Amplifier: Ideal for Hi-Fi Audio

Audioengine HD3's main selling point is its built-in DAC. A good DAC will cost you between $150 and $200. It can transform the way that you listen to music. We are happy to report that the DAC within the Audioengine HD3 is a great DAC. For those with higher-end cans, it's also a great headphone amplifier and is capable of powering even the loudest headphones.

You can access the DAC via either Bluetooth or USB inputs. It is rated at 24-bits. This is the same rating as the $169 Audioengine D1 DAC. It is a remarkable value and makes up any sonic gaps in the lows or bass.

The Audioengine HD3 is a great option for those who want to enjoy Hi-Fi audio without spending hundreds on an expensive audiophile set. It can also drive powerful headphones and serve as speakers.

We listened to Lizzo’s 'Cuz You Love You' four times using Tidal's Master' streaming quality. Once each via USB, Bluetooth and 3.5mm analog. The fourth time was through our Audioengine D1 DAC. It was easy to tell the difference when we used the built-in DAC and our external DAC. We also could clearly see the differences between the analog 3.5mm connector and the USB DAC. Although you can detect some distortion at maximum volume, it is not a major issue. We couldn't discern any difference between the DACs. We don't know if our ears are sensitive enough but the DACs sounded almost identical. This is not surprising considering they are both made by Audioengine.

Unless you have additional audio hardware, it is difficult to compare the speakers' value because of their built-in DAC. The Audioengine HD3 is a great option for Hi-Fi audio and can drive powerful headphones.

Prices: High-priced, but comes with an Bonus

The $349 MSRP price for the speakers would seem a bit steep if we just looked at them. The Audioengine HD3 is more than speakers. It is a compelling product thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity and built-in DAC. The Audioengine HD3 isn't the most expensive product in the world but they are small enough to be useful as desktop speakers.

However, if you spend $350 on speakers, it isn't worth spending $200 more on subwoofers. You might consider looking at other options if bass and lows matter to you.

Audioengine HD3 vs. Audioengine A5+

The Audioengine A5+ is a great option if you already have a desktop DAC and don't require a smaller set of speakers. These speakers, while not having the Audioengine HD3s' built-in DAC, are extremely powerful. The speakers have a 150W peak power output, which is much higher than the HD3's 60W. This means that they can fill any room, including your bedroom, with a sound volume of up to 150W. The 5-inch woofers are larger and will make your home shake when you listen to bassy music.

The Audioengine HD3 is a compact pair of desktop speakers that can do the job and allow you to enjoy high-quality audio. They aren't the best-sounding speakers, and the cost is a bit high, but the Audioengine HD3 provides a great solution for all of your speaker requirements. You can get better sound quality, however it may require a significant investment. It won't look as good on your desk.

Specifications

Product name HD3 Speakers
Pro Brand Audioengine
UPC 852225007032
Prices from $349.00
8.4 Pounds.
Dimensions of the product: 7x4.25x5.5in
Colour Walnut, Satin Black Cherry, Satin Black Cherry, and High Gloss white
Wired/Wireless Wireless
Wireless range 100 feet
3 Year Warranty
Bluetooth Spec Bluetooth 5.0

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