Short answer: the Audio Smile Little British Monitor for better sound quality, the Edifier MR3 for the lower price. The Audio Smile Little British Monitor ranks #1 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.6/5, at $529. The Edifier MR3 ranks #8, rated 3.8/5, at $109.99, $419.01 cheaper.
Why pick the Audio Smile Little British Monitor: Among the strongest measured tonal performers in this size class: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 5.46 predicted preference score, or 8.21 with an ideal subwoofer. Watch for: Bass reaches -3dB at about 72Hz, so a subwoofer is important for the lowest notes.
The case for the Edifier MR3: Erin’s measurements show little overall tilt across the listening window, helping voices retain a broadly natural balance at a desk. Watch for: Local response ripples remain: the measured 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.5dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.538.
Buy the Audio Smile Little British Monitor when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Edifier MR3 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Audio Smile Little British Monitor | Edifier MR3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £529 per pair | $109.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #1 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #8 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | 0.75” wide band tweeter, 3” long throw mid woofer | 3.5” mid-low driver, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 8.1”H x 4.7”W x 5.3”D (205 x 120 x 135 mm) | 8.7”H x 4.9”W x 7.3”D (220 x 125.5 x 185 mm) (active); 220H x 125.5W x 176D mm (passive) |
| Weight | 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg) (Master unit) / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) (Slave unit) | 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (50W LF, 50W HF, Class A/B) | 36W total (18W per speaker) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz-20kHz -6dB | 52Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.5kHz | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX HD | SBC |
| Warranty | 12 months | - |
| Country | United Kingdom | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.46 | 3.91 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.21 | 6.53 |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux, Bluetooth | Balanced TRS, RCA, Aux, Bluetooth |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| App | - | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| EQ | - | Yes (rear knobs and app room compensation) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.4 |
| Sensitivity | - | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Outputs | - | 3.5mm headphone |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Audio Smile Little British Monitor:
- Audio Smile Little British Monitor vs Adam Audio D3v
- Cambridge Audio L/R S vs Audio Smile Little British Monitor
- Audio Smile Little British Monitor vs Edifier M60
- Edifier MR3 vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier MR3
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
Audio Smile Little British Monitor: £529 per pair Audio Smile eBay
Pros: Among the strongest measured tonal performers in this size class: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 5.46 predicted preference score, or 8.21 with an ideal subwoofer. Low narrow-band response deviations on-axis and across the listening window support clear, relatively uncolored vocals and instruments. Broad horizontal coverage makes small changes of listening position less critical. Active DSP crossover and a very compact cabinet suit close desktop listening. Measured bass extension of 71.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB at about 72Hz, so a subwoofer is important for the lowest notes. The measured response still spans 3.3dB from 300Hz to 5kHz; the small average-deviation statistic should not be mistaken for an almost perfectly flat response. Small drivers limit the intended application to nearfield listening, and the preference score does not establish maximum clean output. Its 50W Class A/B amplifiers and narrow ±1dB treble trim leave little headroom or adjustment next to larger active monitors.
Full Audio Smile Little British Monitor review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (50W LF, 50W HF, Class A/B) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.5kHz |
| Dimensions | 8.1”H x 4.7”W x 5.3”D (205 x 120 x 135 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75” wide band tweeter, 3” long throw mid woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz-20kHz -6dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.46 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.21 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 12 months |
| Weight | 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg) (Master unit) / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) (Slave unit) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Edifier MR3: $109.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s measurements show little overall tilt across the listening window, helping voices retain a broadly natural balance at a desk. Scores of 3.91 standalone and 6.53 with an ideal subwoofer support it as a useful budget nearfield option rather than a reference monitor. Tone controls and app-based EQ provide unusually flexible adjustment, and its bass extends farther than the Fostex PM03’s. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.3dB.
Cons: Local response ripples remain: the measured 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.5dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.538. Bass reaches -3dB at about 70Hz. The limiter protects the drivers but prevents much extra loudness when pushed; existing compression testing puts effective single-speaker output around 86-87dB at 1m. Vertical crossover interference makes tweeter height and tilt important.
Full Edifier MR3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7”H x 4.9”W x 7.3”D (220 x 125.5 x 185 mm) (active); 220H x 125.5W x 176D mm (passive) |
| Drivers | 3.5” mid-low driver, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (rear knobs and app room compensation) |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Balanced TRS, RCA, Aux, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.91 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons