Short answer: the Edifier MR3. It ranks #11 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $149.99; the Audioengine HD3 ranks #29, rated 3.2/5, and costs $359, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Edifier MR3: 3.5” mid-range driver and 1” waveguided dome tweeter, with all amplification built into the primary cabinet and speaker-level output. Set against that: Limited maximum output - measured around 86dB at 1 meter for a single speaker (about 92dB for a pair).
Buy the Edifier MR3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audioengine HD3 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine HD3 | Edifier MR3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $359.00 per pair | $149.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #29 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #11 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 9”H x 5.5”W x 6.5”D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 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) |
| Frequency Response | 65 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input | Balanced TRS, RCA, Aux, Bluetooth |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | 3.5mm headphone |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) |
| Drivers | 2.75” woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter | 3.5” mid-low driver, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| EQ | No | Yes (rear knobs and app room compensation) |
| Amplifier Power | 30W total (15W per speaker) | 36W total (18W per speaker) |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
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