Short answer: the Cambridge Audio L/R S if sound quality matters most, the Edifier MR3 if price matters most. The Cambridge Audio L/R S ranks #4 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.4/5, at $549. The Edifier MR3 ranks #11, rated 3.8/5, at $109.99, $439.01 cheaper.
Why pick the Edifier MR3: An affordable desk pair with balanced sound, Bluetooth, and tone controls, a good first set of monitors. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Cambridge Audio L/R S lacks. The tradeoff: Local response ripples remain: the measured 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.5dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.538.
The Cambridge Audio L/R S is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. Compact desk speakers with very accurate sound, Bluetooth and optical and USB inputs, best for close listening. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.08 against 3.91 for the Edifier MR3. Its bass reaches about 57Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Edifier MR3. It supports aptX HD Bluetooth, which the Edifier MR3 lacks. The tradeoff: Maximum clean output is limited: Erin’s Audio Corner measured about 86dB before the onboard limiter engages around 96dB to protect the drivers, so this is a near-field or small-room speaker rather than one built to fill a living room.
Buy the Edifier MR3 if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Cambridge Audio L/R S if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
An affordable desk pair with balanced sound, Bluetooth, and tone controls, a good first set of monitors.
Compact desk speakers with very accurate sound, Bluetooth and optical and USB inputs, best for close listening.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR3 | Cambridge Audio L/R S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $109.99 per pair | $549.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #11 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #4 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) | Yes |
| 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) | 5.3” (134 mm) W x 226mm H x 180mm D (each) |
| EQ | Yes (rear knobs and app room compensation) | - |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Balanced TRS, RCA, Aux, Bluetooth | RCA, optical digital, USB-C |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) | 6.6 lbs (3.0kg) primary speaker, 5.7 lbs (2.6kg) secondary speaker |
| Drivers | 3.5” mid-low driver, 1” silk dome tweeter | 21mm aluminum dome tweeter, 3” long-throw woofer |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Amplifier Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) | 100W total (50W to woofer, 50W to tweeter, per speaker) |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.91 | 5.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 | 7.72 |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone | Subwoofer, wired speaker-to-speaker link |
| Headphone Output | Yes | - |
| DSP | - | Yes, room size, wall distance, and reflective surface correction; desktop-placement and near-wall/free-space switches |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
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