Short answer: the Edifier MR3. It ranks #8 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $109.99; the Monoprice DT-3 ranks #24, rated 2.3/5, and costs $139.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the Edifier MR3: Erin’s measurements show little overall tilt across the listening window, helping voices retain a broadly natural balance at a desk. The catch: Local response ripples remain: the measured 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.5dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.538.
The case for the Monoprice DT-3: An inexpensive, compact powered pair with front volume control, auxiliary input and headphone output. Watch for: The measured response spans 7.6dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with large irregularities both on-axis and across the listening window.
Buy the Edifier MR3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Monoprice DT-3 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR3 | Monoprice DT-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $109.99 per pair | $139.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #8 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #24 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) | - |
| 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) | 8H x 5.5W x 5.9D in each |
| EQ | Yes (rear knobs and app room compensation) | - |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Balanced TRS, RCA, Aux, Bluetooth | Rear stereo RCA and front 3.5mm auxiliary |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) | - |
| Drivers | 3.5” mid-low driver, 1” silk dome tweeter | 0.75-inch tweeter, 3.5-inch woofer |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Amplifier Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) | 50W system |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.91 | 0.10 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 | 3.03 |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone | Front headphone |
| Headphone Output | Yes | Yes |
| Enclosure | - | Powered 2-way stereo pair, rear-ported |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | - | 69Hz (measured, Spinorama) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Edifier MR3 compares with other leading options:
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- Edifier MR3 vs Genelec 8010A
- Adam Audio D3v vs Edifier MR3
- Edifier MR3 vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
- Edifier MR3 vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
Edifier MR3: $109.99 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 3.91 standalone and 6.53 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 70Hz (-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 →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 3.5” mid-low driver, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (rear knobs and app room compensation) |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Balanced TRS, RCA, Aux, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone |
| RCA Input | 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 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Monoprice DT-3: $139.99 per pair Amazon Monoprice eBay
Pros: An inexpensive, compact powered pair with front volume control, auxiliary input and headphone output. Erin’s Klippel measurements put the -3dB bass point around 74Hz, sufficient for some upper-bass content at a desk.
Cons: The measured response spans 7.6dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with large irregularities both on-axis and across the listening window. Preference scores are 0.10 standalone and only 3.03 with an ideal subwoofer, among the weakest results for a powered speaker. That means adding bass support does not remove its major tonal problems. It offers little reason to choose it for accurate listening over better-measuring budget alternatives.
Full Monoprice DT-3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W system |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 69Hz (measured, Spinorama) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8H x 5.5W x 5.9D in each |
| Drivers | 0.75-inch tweeter, 3.5-inch woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way stereo pair, rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Rear stereo RCA and front 3.5mm auxiliary |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Front headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.10 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.03 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons