Short answer: the Adam Audio A4V if sound quality matters most, the Edifier MR4 if price matters most. The Adam Audio A4V ranks #42 of 65 powered bookshelf speakers at $599.99. The Edifier MR4 ranks #46 at $169.99, $430 cheaper.
What the Edifier MR4 offers: Erin’s data supports a useful budget desktop monitor: a 3.0dB midrange span, little overall on-axis tilt, and preference scores of 2.48 standalone and 5.23 with an ideal subwoofer. Balanced TRS inputs and tone controls are practical at its price, and its response is more balanced than the measured R1280T. Watch for: Bass reaches -3dB around 79Hz, so deep extension should not be inferred from the overall flat trend. Listening-window response still has local irregularities, including lower-treble unevenness. The existing review reports rapidly increasing distortion and audible distress when pushed well above moderate desktop levels. No Bluetooth, and adding a subwoofer does not cure every output or tonal limitation.
What the Adam Audio A4V offers: Compact monitor with onboard DSP, placement controls and room-correction integration. ASR’s Klippel data gives a -3dB point around 59Hz and preference scores of 3.02 standalone and 5.43 with an ideal subwoofer. Its adjustment facilities are useful when placement or tonal correction is needed. Watch for: A small average-deviation figure hides a major localized response irregularity: the selected measurement spans 10.8dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.547. The native response should therefore not be called smoothly neutral. Correction potential is not the same as stock performance, and analog audio inputs mean a separate interface is needed for USB sources.
Buy the Edifier MR4 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Adam Audio A4V if sound quality matters more than the price.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4 | Adam Audio A4V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 per pair | $1,199.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #46 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #42 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 7.6"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) | 10.6H x 6.2W x 8.7D in |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control |
| Outputs | Headphone | - |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) each |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 4" MLM woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 42w RMS Per Speaker | 130W RMS each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 109Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.48 | 3.02 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.23 | 5.43 |
| Headphone Output | Yes | - |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way active, dual front ports |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Adam Audio A4V:
- Adam Audio A4V vs Genelec 8331A
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Adam Audio A4V
- Genelec 8030C vs Adam Audio A4V
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Adam Audio A4V
- Adam Audio A4V vs Dynaudio LYD 5
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier MR4: $169.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s data supports a useful budget desktop monitor: a 3.0dB midrange span, little overall on-axis tilt, and preference scores of 2.48 standalone and 5.23 with an ideal subwoofer. Balanced TRS inputs and tone controls are practical at its price, and its response is more balanced than the measured R1280T. Measured bass extension of 109Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 78dB.
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB around 79Hz, so deep extension should not be inferred from the overall flat trend. Listening-window response still has local irregularities, including lower-treble unevenness. The existing review reports rapidly increasing distortion and audible distress when pushed well above moderate desktop levels. No Bluetooth, and adding a subwoofer does not cure every output or tonal limitation.
Full Edifier MR4 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 42w RMS Per Speaker |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 109Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 7.6"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.48 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.23 |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1280DBs sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1700BT sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs iLoud Micro Monitor sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E4.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Mackie CR4-X sound.DEMO
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget – 2026 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Are the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro the Best Studio Monitor Speakers for your Home Studio?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Adam Audio A4V: $1,199.98 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Compact monitor with onboard DSP, placement controls and room-correction integration. ASR’s Klippel data gives a -3dB point around 59Hz and preference scores of 3.02 standalone and 5.43 with an ideal subwoofer. Its adjustment facilities are useful when placement or tonal correction is needed.
Cons: A small average-deviation figure hides a major localized response irregularity: the selected measurement spans 10.8dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.547. The native response should therefore not be called smoothly neutral. Correction potential is not the same as stock performance, and analog audio inputs mean a separate interface is needed for USB sources.
Full Adam Audio A4V review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 130W RMS each |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 6.2W x 8.7D in |
| Drivers | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 4" MLM woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, dual front ports |
| Inputs | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.02 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.43 |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Adam Audio A4V vs Yamaha HS5
- Adam Audio A4V vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- Adam Audio A4V vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Adam Audio A4V vs Kanto YU
- Adam Audio A4V vs KRK Classic 5
- Adam Audio A4V vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- Adam Audio A4V vs Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus
- Adam Audio A4V vs Audioengine HD6
- See all 37 comparisons