Short answer: the HiVi Swan X3 for better sound quality, the Edifier MR3 for the lower price. The HiVi Swan X3 ranks #7 of 23 powered bookshelf speakers at $249. The Edifier MR3 ranks #8 at $149.99, $99.01 cheaper.
What the Edifier MR3 offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the HiVi Swan X3 offers: ASR’s Spinorama data predicts 3.13 standalone and 6.12 with an ideal subwoofer, placing its bass-normalized tonal performance ahead of several similarly small budget monitors. Listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.420, lower than the MR3’s 0.538, indicating fewer local response irregularities by that measure. The compact coaxial layout is convenient for a small desktop system. Watch for: Not a flat reference monitor: the response spans 5.0dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and trends upward toward the treble. Bass reaches -3dB at about 79Hz, so a subwoofer remains important. Coaxial construction alone does not guarantee uniform dispersion, and the preference score does not establish distortion or maximum clean output.
Buy the Edifier MR3 if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the HiVi Swan X3 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR3 | HiVi Swan X3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 per pair | $249 per pair |
| Ranked | #8 of 23 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #7 of 23 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| App | No | - |
| Dimensions | 5.9"H x 3.7"W x 5.9"D (149.9 x 94 x 149.9 mm) | - |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) | - |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA | RCA |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) | - |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter | 3-inch coaxial woofer and tweeter |
| 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 | - |
| Amplifier Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) | - |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.01 | 3.13 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.63 | 6.12 |
| Enclosure | - | Active coaxial, rear-ported |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | - | 71Hz (measured, Spinorama) |
| Configuration | - | Powered desktop monitor |
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- Adam Audio D3v vs HiVi Swan X3
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- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs HiVi Swan X3
- HiVi Swan X3 vs Edifier M60
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier MR3: $149.99 per pair 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. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.3dB.
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.01 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.63 |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
HiVi Swan X3: $249 per pair eBay
Pros: ASR’s Spinorama data predicts 3.13 standalone and 6.12 with an ideal subwoofer, placing its bass-normalized tonal performance ahead of several similarly small budget monitors. Listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.420, lower than the MR3’s 0.538, indicating fewer local response irregularities by that measure. The compact coaxial layout is convenient for a small desktop system.
Cons: Not a flat reference monitor: the response spans 5.0dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and trends upward toward the treble. Bass reaches -3dB at about 79Hz, so a subwoofer remains important. Coaxial construction alone does not guarantee uniform dispersion, and the preference score does not establish distortion or maximum clean output.
Full HiVi Swan X3 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 71Hz (measured, Spinorama) |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Powered desktop monitor |
| Drivers | 3-inch coaxial woofer and tweeter |
| Enclosure | Active coaxial, rear-ported |
| Inputs | RCA |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.13 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.12 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons