Short answer: the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It ranks #36 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $399. The Edifier R2000DB ranks #78, rated 3.3/5, at $249.99, $149.01 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Audioengine A5+ Classic is the better-sounding choice. ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 4.59 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Edifier R2000DB lacks. Watch for: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments.
Why pick the Edifier R2000DB: Multiple analog inputs and optical connectivity make it convenient for a simple powered stereo system. The catch: Listening impressions suggest a midrange-forward presentation.
Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $149.01 saving on the Edifier R2000DB is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | Edifier R2000DB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 per pair | $249.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #78 of 100 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) | 11.3”H x 7.5”W x 9.5”D (285.8 x 190.5 x 241.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 55Hz-40kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) | 17.4 lbs (7.9 kg) |
| Drivers | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | 60w RMS Per Speaker |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 | - |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | - |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Audioengine A5+ Classic:
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Genelec 8331A
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Genelec 8030C
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Audioengine A2+ (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.4/5).
Pros: ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 4.59 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. The analog powered pair is straightforward to use without an external amplifier. The measured result supports a more capable tonal balance than its former low position suggested. Measured bass extension of 68Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments. The existing review reports crossover-region directivity errors and a distortion feature around 800-900Hz. The score does not make it a reference monitor, and adding a subwoofer cannot correct those midrange and off-axis issues.
Full Audioengine A5+ Classic review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs KEF LSX II LT
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Adam Audio T5V
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Airpulse A100
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Kanto YU6
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Mackie MR524
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs M-Audio BX5 D3
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- See all 58 comparisons
Edifier R2000DB: $249.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Multiple analog inputs and optical connectivity make it convenient for a simple powered stereo system. It can suit general desktop listening when source flexibility matters more than professional monitoring functions.
Cons: Listening impressions suggest a midrange-forward presentation. It is better suited to a simple home stereo setup than a studio workflow requiring balanced inputs.
Full Edifier R2000DB review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3”H x 7.5”W x 9.5”D (285.8 x 190.5 x 241.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz-40kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 17.4 lbs (7.9 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier R2000DB vs Edifier S1000W
- Edifier R2000DB vs Audioengine HD6
- Edifier R2000DB vs Edifier S1000MKII
- Edifier R2000DB vs Edifier MR5
- Edifier R2000DB vs Kali Audio IN-UNF
- Edifier R2000DB vs Presonus Eris E5
- Edifier R2000DB vs Audioengine HD4
- Edifier R2000DB vs Edifier R1700BT
- See all 58 comparisons