Short answer: the Edifier MR3. It ranks #8 of 23 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $149.99; the Audioengine HD3 ranks #16 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 ranks higher for sound quality than the Audioengine HD3 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine HD3 | Edifier MR3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $359.00 | $149.99 |
| Ranked | #16 of 23 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #8 of 23 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) | 5.9"H x 3.7"W x 5.9"D (149.9 x 94 x 149.9 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA |
| Outputs | RCA Output | - |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
| Drivers | 2.75" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| EQ | No | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Max SPL | 90dB @ 1m | 93dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 30W total (15W per speaker) | 36W total (18W per speaker) |
| Sensitivity | - | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Edifier MR3 vs Genelec 8010A
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- Edifier MR3 vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Edifier M60 vs Edifier MR3
- Edifier MR3 vs Audioengine A2+
Prices on this page were last checked September 9, 2026 at 6:54 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
Audioengine HD3: $359.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A compact desktop stereo option when cabinet size is a priority.
Cons: Limited bass makes a subwoofer useful for fuller music reproduction. Its compact format is better suited to close listening than filling a large room.
Full Audioengine HD3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 2.75" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Max SPL | 90dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 30W total (15W per speaker) |
| Outputs | RCA Output |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine HD3 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Audioengine HD3 vs Edifier M60
- Audioengine HD3 vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Audioengine HD3 vs Adam Audio D3v
- Audioengine HD3 vs Genelec 8010A
- Audioengine HD3 vs Audioengine HD4
- Audioengine HD3 vs Edifier R1700BT
- Audioengine HD3 vs Kali LP-UNF
- See all 9 comparisons
Edifier MR3: $149.99 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 3.01 standalone and 5.63 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.
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 →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 5.9"H x 3.7"W x 5.9"D (149.9 x 94 x 149.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA |
| Max SPL | 93dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons