Short answer: the Adam Audio T5V. It ranks #28 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $456. The Edifier MR4.5 ranks #45, rated 3.6/5, at $249.99, $206.01 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Adam Audio T5V: ASR’s data shows a small 2.0dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz, a -3dB point around 59Hz, and scores of 4.65 standalone and 7.02 with an ideal subwoofer. Watch for: The response rises toward the treble by about 0.56dB per octave, so the small midrange span should not be mistaken for flat full-band response.
What the Edifier MR4.5 does well: Bass reaches about 60Hz at -3dB and 44Hz at -10dB in Erin’s measurements, notably deep for a 4.5-inch desktop monitor and well beyond the smaller MR4. Watch for: The response is uneven, with a broad upper-bass bump around 120 to 150Hz, a presence dip of roughly 3dB around 2 to 3kHz and brighter treble above it (listening-window tilt +0.22dB per octave), which holds its preference score to about 3.9 on its own and 6.1 with an ideal subwoofer.
Buy the Adam Audio T5V. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $206.01 with the Edifier MR4.5 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Adam Audio T5V | Edifier MR4.5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $456 per pair | $249.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #28 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #45 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7”W x 11.7”D (297.2 x 177.8 x 297.2 mm) | 5.5”W x 9.6”H x 9”D (140 x 244 x 229 mm) (active); 140W x 244H x 208D mm (passive) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each | 14.6 lbs (6.63 kg) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 4.5-inch mid-bass driver + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| App | No | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, 6.0 |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (app EQ, room compensation settings and rear high/low controls) |
| Amplifier Power | 70w Per Speaker | 80W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.65 | 3.86 (calculated from Erin’s Audio Corner CEA2034 data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.02 | 6.10 (calculated from Erin’s Audio Corner CEA2034 data) |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Outputs | - | 3.5mm headphone |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 6.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | LDAC, SBC |
| Maximum SPL | - | 98dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Measurement Source | - | Erin’s Audio Corner |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Adam Audio T5V: $456 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: ASR’s data shows a small 2.0dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz, a -3dB point around 59Hz, and scores of 4.65 standalone and 7.02 with an ideal subwoofer. It offers useful bass and midrange performance for an affordable studio monitor. Rear tonal trims allow broad placement adjustment. Measured bass extension of 58.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The response rises toward the treble by about 0.56dB per octave, so the small midrange span should not be mistaken for flat full-band response. Upper-frequency unevenness remains, and a shelving control cannot precisely remove every peak. The existing review finds distortion reasonable for the price rather than reference-class; deeper bass and demanding levels still call for more capable hardware.
Full Adam Audio T5V review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 70w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7”W x 11.7”D (297.2 x 177.8 x 297.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.65 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.02 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
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- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Edifier MR4.5: $249.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass reaches about 60Hz at -3dB and 44Hz at -10dB in Erin’s measurements, notably deep for a 4.5-inch desktop monitor and well beyond the smaller MR4. It connects to nearly anything: balanced XLR and TRS, RCA and 3.5mm aux inputs, Bluetooth 6.0 with LDAC and multipoint, plus a front headphone output. Rear high and low shelving knobs and the ConneX app’s room compensation settings help tune it for desk or wall placement. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The response is uneven, with a broad upper-bass bump around 120 to 150Hz, a presence dip of roughly 3dB around 2 to 3kHz and brighter treble above it (listening-window tilt +0.22dB per octave), which holds its preference score to about 3.9 on its own and 6.1 with an ideal subwoofer. Vertical lobing means the tweeter should be aimed at ear height. Compression is already meaningful at 96dB and distortion climbs sharply between 700Hz and 3kHz when pushed, so it suits nearfield desk listening rather than filling a room.
Full Edifier MR4.5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 6.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.5”W x 9.6”H x 9”D (140 x 244 x 229 mm) (active); 140W x 244H x 208D mm (passive) |
| Drivers | 4.5-inch mid-bass driver + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, room compensation settings and rear high/low controls) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Measurement Source | Erin’s Audio Corner |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.86 (calculated from Erin’s Audio Corner CEA2034 data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.10 (calculated from Erin’s Audio Corner CEA2034 data) |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.63 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons