Short answer: the Audioengine A5+ Classic for better sound quality, the Edifier R1700BT for the lower price. The Audioengine A5+ Classic ranks #38 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $399. The Edifier R1700BT ranks #50 at $186.99, $212.01 cheaper.
What the Audioengine A5+ Classic offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows a reasonably flat response outside of the upper bass. Internal Class AB amplification (50W RMS, 75W peak) with a linear power supply drives a 5” Kevlar woofer and 0.75” tweeter. Watch for: A valley in the upper bass (200-400Hz) recesses that range, and a distortion peak shows up around 800-900Hz even at 86dB SPL. Off-axis response doesn’t track the on-axis curve well through the crossover, suggesting the waveguide isn’t fully optimized. Resonances appear at 900Hz and 4.4kHz.
What the Edifier R1700BT offers: Rated 3.5 in the SpeakerRanking database. Watch for: more V shaped, not quite as neutral sounding as the Edifier MR4
Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Edifier R1700BT if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Edifier R1700BT. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | Edifier R1700BT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $186.99 |
| Ranked | #38 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #50 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Dimensions | 10.9"H x 7.2"W x 9.7"D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) | 10"H x 6.1"W x 8.4"D (254 x 154.9 x 213.4 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs / 7 kg (left/powered), 9.7 lbs / 4.4 kg (right) | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg |
| Drivers | 5" Kevlar woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| DSP | No | - |
| Output Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | 66w RMS Per Speaker |
| Inputs | - | Bluetooth, RCA Input |
| Outputs | - | None |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Adam Audio T5V vs Kanto YU
- KEF LSX II LT vs Presonus Eris E5
- Presonus Eris E5 vs NHT Pro M-00
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Edifier R1280DB vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 AM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Audioengine A5+ Classic: $399.00 Amazon Bhphotovideo eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a reasonably flat response outside of the upper bass. Internal Class AB amplification (50W RMS, 75W peak) with a linear power supply drives a 5” Kevlar woofer and 0.75” tweeter.
Cons: A valley in the upper bass (200-400Hz) recesses that range, and a distortion peak shows up around 800-900Hz even at 86dB SPL. Off-axis response doesn’t track the on-axis curve well through the crossover, suggesting the waveguide isn’t fully optimized. Resonances appear at 900Hz and 4.4kHz.
Full Audioengine A5+ Classic review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9"H x 7.2"W x 9.7"D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" Kevlar woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs / 7 kg (left/powered), 9.7 lbs / 4.4 kg (right) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Presonus Eris E5
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Edifier R1280T
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Edifier R2000DB
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Edifier R1280DB
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Audioengine HD6
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Klipsch The Fives
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Topping MA4
- See all 45 comparisons
Edifier R1700BT: $186.99 Amazon eBay
Cons: more V shaped, not quite as neutral sounding as the Edifier MR4
Full Edifier R1700BT review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 10"H x 6.1"W x 8.4"D (254 x 154.9 x 213.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA Input |
| Output Power | 66w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | None |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1700BT sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Audioengine HD3 vs Edifier R1700BT sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier R1700BT Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier R1280DBs vs Edifier R1700BTs Sound Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier R1700BT vs Edifier R2000DB Sound Demo
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier D12 vs Edifier R1700BT sound.DEMO
- Reddit Search for Edifier R1700BT Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier R1700BT vs Kali Audio IN-UNF
- Edifier R1700BT vs Edifier S1000MKII
- Edifier R1700BT vs Edifier S1000W
- Edifier R1700BT vs Audioengine HD4
- Edifier R1700BT vs Dynaudio LYD 5
- Edifier R1700BT vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Edifier R1700BT vs Klipsch The Fives
- Edifier R1700BT vs Audioengine HD6
- See all 47 comparisons