The Audioengine HD3 is an exceptional wireless active speaker packed with a plethora of features such as Bluetooth connectivity (aptX HD) for wireless music streaming, a built-in 24-bit D/A converter, and more. It is a pair of active speakers with a built-in Class AB amplifier that has a total power output of 60 Watts peak (30 Watts peak power per channel). The HD3 compact size makes them an excellent speaker choice for a desktop sound system and since they already have their own built-in amp, you will be saving both space and money.
Having a compact size speaker cabinet and a built-in low-powered amplifier does have its own disadvantages, for instance, the HD3s are not powerful enough to reproduce very deep bass frequencies. The scale of the sound will be smaller when compared to larger-sized loudspeakers with more amplifier power being driven into them. When watching movies or listening to bass-heavy soundtracks, you will notice the limitations but worry not, as you can connect an active subwoofer to the Audioengine HD3 speakers. With a subwoofer been added to the system, you will immediately notice the improvement in the overall bass performance.
To find the right subwoofer for the job, we must first learn more about the Audioengine HD3 sonic prowess and characteristics. Once we have learned more about these active speakers, we can then find matching subwoofers and pair them with the Audioengine HD3s.
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Sonic Characteristics and Limitations of Audioengine HD3
The Audioengine HD3 uses 2.75″ aramid fiber woofers and has front-firing bass slots, the frequency response is 65Hz-22kHz (+/-2dB) which is good for a speaker of this size but also indicates they are unable to deliver very deep bass frequencies. There is ample bass output and is quite solid too, still, when it comes to deep bass delivery, you can tell that the HD3 speakers are not comfortable with it. Sub-terranean bass reproductions are definitely not their cup of tea. We are quite impressed with the overall bass performance though, for nearfield music listening, it can be quite punchy at times.
More Details at Amazon – Audioengine HD3 Desktop Monitor Speakers
The overall sound reproduction has a good level of clarity and a clear-sounding midrange delivery where the vocals and instruments sound nice. The Audioengine HD3 doesn’t sound overly bright when pushed and the size of the soundstage is decent with accurate stereo imaging. Subtle details and nuances are not as clearly delivered though. There is a switch that reduces the bass of the Audioengine HD3 speakers which does give us a cleaner and clearer music presentation. You might want to use this feature when you have connected to a subwoofer. The Audioengine HD3 will certainly benefit from an active subwoofer supplementing the overall bass performance. There are also other factors affecting your subwoofer choice which you might want to look through and that will be your subwoofer requirements.
Audioengine HD3 Specifications
- Speaker Type: 2-Way (Front-firing bass slot)
- Drive Units: 0.75″ Silk Dome Tweeter, 2.75″ Aramid Fiber Woofer
- Frequency Response: 65Hz-22kHz (+/-2dB)
- Power Output: 15 Watts RMS per channel, 30 Watts Peak per channel
- Wireless: Bluetooth aptX HD
- Outputs: RCA Line Out, Headphone Output
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 7″ (178mm) x 4.3″ (108mm) x 5.5″ (140mm)
- Weight: Left 1.8kg (4lbs), Right 1.5kg (3.4lbs)
Subwoofer Main Requirements
Audioengine HD3 is a versatile speaker/music system where you can wirelessly play your music via Bluetooth or connect them directly to your PC/laptop for music playbacks. If you are playing the HD3 speakers in a medium-size room, you might want to go with a larger and more powerful active subwoofer so that it could fill the room with ease. If the Audioengine HD3 is part of a desktop sound system or has been played in a small listening room, going with a smaller and less powered sub would be okay. We wouldn’t recommend these small active speakers to be used in a large room as using the HD3s in a mid-sized room is already pushing it. Of course, the budget you have allocated for this investment will also influence the choices of subwoofers you can go for.
Going with either a sealed or ported subwoofer will usually depend on your usage. For listeners who watch a lot of movies or play video games should aim for the ported subwoofer. If you are very critical about bass quality over quantity and/or listening to music is your main entertainment, you should go with a sealed subwoofer instead. The accuracy and agility of a sealed sub are usually better than a ported sub in the same price range, not to mention, it is more capable of realistically rendering the instruments. This is also why audiophiles will prefer sealed subs over ported ones for both music and movies.
If you are facing space constraints, you might want to go with a smaller subwoofer or none at all. Finding a spot for the sub is one thing, you may need to do a subwoofer crawl to find a location where it will provide you with the best bass quality. For nearfield listening, placing a subwoofer near to your listening position will usually turn out well. These are some of the main requirements you should look into first before you start looking at potential subwoofers. Adding a few requirements of your own will be a great idea as being thorough means you will have an even better idea of what type of subwoofer you’ll need. Once you are confident and ready, you can check out the list of the best subwoofers to pair with your Audioengine HD3 active speakers.
Best Subwoofers to pair with Audioengine HD3
The Wharfedale Diamond SW150 is one of the best subwoofers to pair with the Audioengine HD3 speakers. A very highly rated subwoofer that has garnered plenty of praises from its users. It has a 10″ bass driver with 150 Watts RMS power and a frequency response of 35Hz to 110Hz. The SW150 may be affordably priced but the performance you are getting is agile and detailed, with just enough rhythmic drive. There is a solid weight to the bass delivery and it is tight as well. At this price point, it is difficult to nitpick the Wharfedale Diamond SW150 and it will work well with the Audioengine HD3s.
More Details at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond SW150 Subwoofer
The Yamaha NSSW050 is another amazing entry-level subwoofer to go for and it is compact in size too. It has an 8″ cone woofer and has 50 Watts power rating. For such an affordably priced subwoofer, it actually has a frequency response of 28Hz-200Hz which is really impressive. Due to the small footprint, it will be an ideal subwoofer to be part of your desktop sound system and will pair well with the Audioengine HD3 active speakers. The Yamaha NSSW050 will excel in a nearfield listening environment and is suitable for small listening rooms, it is also capable of delivering clean deep bass frequencies.
For a larger subwoofer without breaking the bank, the Klipsch R-12SW is an excellent choice to go for and match it with your Audioengine HD3 active speakers. It is one of the best budget subwoofers that you can get your hands on and have tons of positive reviews made by its satisfied owners. The R-12SW has a 12″ front-firing woofer with a rear-firing bass port and the built-in digital amplifier is able to deliver 400W of dynamic power. It has a very modest price tag and will fit most listeners’ budget, certainly a suitable match for the Audioengine HD3 powered speakers and worth your time to check it out.
More Details at Amazon – Klipsch R-12SW 12″ Subwoofer
If due to space constraints, you will prefer a compact wireless sub then the Audioengine S8 Wireless subwoofer will probably be the best choice to go for. The S8 Wireless sub is designed and made by the same company as your Audioengine HD3 powered speakers, and they should match really well together. It uses an 8″ long-throw down-firing woofer and has a Class D amplifier that pushes out 250 Watts of peak power. The Audioengine S8 Wireless subwoofer gives users more flexibility in positioning and placement. It has punchy performance and a solid bass delivery.
More Details at Amazon – Audioengine S8 Small Wireless Powered Subwoofer
When it comes to handling the thunderous bass demands of an action-packed movie scene, a high-performance and powerful ported subwoofer will be an ideal choice. The SVS PB-1000 Pro is one of the best subwoofers for the job and will match well with the Audioengine HD3 active speakers. It is a ported subwoofer with exceptional sonic performance, thanks to its 820 Watts of Peak power and the ability to dig down to 17Hz bass extension. Furthermore, it has a modest price tag and will be able to handle most bass demands from any movie. SVS PB-1000 Pro definitely deserves an audition with you.
More Details at Amazon – SVS PB-1000 Pro (Black Ash)
If listening to music is the most important entertainment for you then going for a high-quality sealed subwoofer is a must. The SVS SB-1000 Pro is a terrific choice and it doesn’t break your wallet too. It is a 12″ subwoofer capable of reaching down to 20Hz bass extension and uses a Sledge STA-325D amplifier to provide a peak power of 820 Watts. It has the agility and musicality to keep up with the Audioengine HD3 speakers, delivering a full-range music presentation with impeccable bass performance. For a desktop sound system, the SVS SB-1000 Pro will be more than enough to handle most usage including gaming.
More Details at Amazon – SVS SB-1000 Pro (Black Ash)
To Sum It Up
With a subwoofer supplementing the bass performance of your desktop sound system, it should provide you with a more enjoyable listening experience. The listed subwoofers will match well with the Audioengine HD3 powered speakers and we will suggest shortlisting one or more subs for an audition. During the subwoofer auditioning, you will be able to tell yourself which sub sounds the best to you when combined with the Audioengine HD3 speakers. Do use your favorite music or movies during the subwoofer auditions as it will be easier to notice the difference in bass quality.
