These are quite oldschool, but what isn't in this (size/price) class. I found the mention of an "Optimized directivity high frequency waveguide" hilarious in the face of pictures that clearly show a basically flat-baffle tweeter lacking all but the merest hint of a waveguide. Not like it's terribly necessary to have one in the 4" class, but still.
If you can accommodate them (space-wise and financially), I would recommend something like a pair of KRK RP5 G4s (they commonly seem to sell for about 249 AUD a piece, the lowest I've seen being 189 AUD). These are some actual active monitors (not just powered ones with often rudimentary passive crossovers), and you'll be much happier with the low end as well. These are decidedly entry-level still. A pair of M-Audio BX5 D3s would be about the bare minimum (no DSP, definitely needs some EQ, bass won't go nearly as deep even then, and you'll arguably want to stick on some external heatsinks as the back gets rather toasty). Oh, there still seem to be some JBL LSR305 MkII for
even less, they're a bit hissy but a good budget buy otherwise.
(Getting the cabling right for "classic" monitors can be a bit tricky though, we'll have to discuss that again. You probably don't want to end up hearing any mouse movements and GPU action loud and clear. If you need desk stands - and most of us do -, stacks of old books or similar should do in a pinch.)
I assume the HS3s are decent for what they are (entry-level powered speakers with hopefully better response than most of the competition), but the specs of 85 Hz at -3 dB and 70 Hz at -10 dB are quite typical for the 3" class - these are going to sound like small speakers if you don't apply some rather drastic EQ (and be overwhelmed rather quickly at higher levels if you do). The HS4s still aren't that great at 83 / 60 Hz respectively (for comparison, Genelec 8020s make it to 60 Hz at -3 dB) but at least you can tell they're not totally dropping like a rock. For comparison,
RP5 G4s make it to about 55 Hz at -3 dB and 43 Hz at -10 dB, and trust me, that's a major difference in bass coverage! (The JBLs are at about 50 / 42 Hz, respectively, so a hair better still.) Even for casual listening I'd rather want to have my -10 dB point in the mid-50s at least. You can live quite happily with about 40 Hz and not miss out on very much in music.
The 5" class tends to be kind of a sweetspot for desktop audio. They still have small enough driver spacing for good integration at <0.8 m and the drivers don't cost an awful lot more than 3" and 4" ones while having a substantial innate advantage in terms of level handling just due to surface area and excursion. At the same time the enclosures provide enough space for some decent electronics without having to go overboard on tiny parts. You may have noticed that a majority of 4" and 3" class speakers are powered sets... there isn't that much to be saved in drivers but cutting down on electronics will still save a fair bit, and most people just aren't willing to spend almost as much on less capable speakers. (Sure you'll need a passive crossover then, but when a single lone electrolytic cap is deemed adequate as such...) A decent pair of 3" class monitors will actually cost you
more than some decent entry-level 5" ones, and there's not a ton to choose from either. Fighting physics is an uphill battle...
Honestly, this discussion should probably go in a new thread in the newbie department.
