Short answer: the Adam Audio T5V. It ranks #10 of 36 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $148.79; the Edifier MR4 ranks #27 and costs $154.31, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Adam Audio T5V offers: Better than the HS5 in terms of vocals detail and better low end. Watch for: Elevated, slightly uneven top end from the AMT tweeter, shared with Adam’s other T-series monitors - the rear treble trim only tilts the response rather than flattening it.
What the Edifier MR4 offers: More balanced than the R1280DB. Watch for: No Bluetooth unlike other Edifier models.
Buy the Adam Audio T5V. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Edifier MR4 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Edifier MR4. It ranks near the bottom of the 36 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Adam Audio T5V | Edifier MR4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $148.79 | $154.31 |
| Ranked | #10 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #27 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7"W x 11.7"D (297.2 x 177.8 x 297.2 mm) | 9"H x 5.5"W x 7.6"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs / 5.7 kg each | 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| Output Power | 70w Per Speaker | 42w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | - | Headphone |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 109Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 58Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | - | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Edifier R1700BT
- Edifier D12 vs Edifier R1700BT
- Edifier R1700BT vs Donner Dyna 3
- Adam Audio T5V vs Edifier R1280DB
- Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1700BT
The Two Speakers In Full
Adam Audio T5V: $148.79 Amazon
Pros: Better than the HS5 in terms of vocals detail and better low end.
Cons: Elevated, slightly uneven top end from the AMT tweeter, shared with Adam’s other T-series monitors - the rear treble trim only tilts the response rather than flattening it. Distortion, while better controlled than most speakers in this price range, isn’t reference quality.
Full Adam Audio T5V review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 70w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs / 5.7 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Adam Audio T5V 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali LP-6 vs Adam Audio T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Yamaha HS5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Adam Audio T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Bright and brighter. PreSonus E5 XT takes on Adam Audio T5V SOUND & FREQUENCY RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Adam Audio T7V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Reddit Search for Adam Audio T5V Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Edifier MR4: $154.31 Amazon
Pros: More balanced than the R1280DB. The value king. Impressively deep, flat bass down to 70Hz for such a small speaker, and its waveguide gives it unusually wide, consistent horizontal directivity for the price. Balanced XLR/TRS inputs are rare this cheap.
Cons: No Bluetooth unlike other Edifier models. Distortion climbs sharply above 86dB SPL, breaking into audible squealing near 96dB, and there’s a dip in the lower treble that needs a bit of EQ or the rear HF control to smooth out. Playback volume is limited with bass-heavy material - pushing it loud brings audible clicking/static.
Full Edifier MR4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 109Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 7.6"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1280DBs sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1700BT sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs iLoud Micro Monitor sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E4.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Mackie CR4-X sound.DEMO
- Reddit Search for Edifier MR4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons