Short answer: the Dayton Audio M4. It ranks #52 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $249.98. The Edifier MR4 ranks #70, rated 3.5/5, at $169.99, $79.99 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Edifier MR4 is the deeper-bass option. Erin’s data supports a useful budget desktop monitor: a 3.0dB midrange span, little overall on-axis tilt, and preference scores of 3.25 standalone and 6.00 with an ideal subwoofer. Its bass reaches about 79Hz before falling 3dB, against 121Hz for the Dayton Audio M4. The tradeoff: Bass reaches -3dB around 79Hz, so deep extension should not be inferred from the overall flat trend.
The case for the Dayton Audio M4: A compact powered pair with a subwoofer output, useful source connections and a solid cabinet. The catch: Existing listening and output notes describe limited bass, a balance that changes with distance, and distortion rising above roughly 93dB.
Buy the Dayton Audio M4. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $79.99 with the Edifier MR4 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4 | Dayton Audio M4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 per pair | $249.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #70 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #52 of 100 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) | 5” x 6.5” x 9.5” (127 x 165 x 241 mm) (W x D x H) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux | RCA, USB-C, Bluetooth |
| Outputs | Headphone | Subwoofer (20Hz-200Hz) |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) | 6.2 lbs (2.81 kg) (active), 5.1 lbs (2.31 kg) (passive) |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter | 4” aluminum woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Monitor and Music modes) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 42W RMS total (21W per speaker) | 75W RMS (150W peak) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 79Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 121Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.25 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.00 | - |
| Headphone Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes (RCA) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Digital Aux Input | - | Yes (USB-C DAC, up to 192kHz/32-bit) |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | AC Power cord |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Dayton Audio M4 compares with other leading options:
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Dayton Audio M4
- Genelec 8030C vs Dayton Audio M4
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Dayton Audio M4
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Dayton Audio M4
- Genelec 8320A vs Dayton Audio M4
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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 MR4: $169.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Edifier MR3 (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.8/5), the Edifier MR4.5 (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 3.6/5) and the Edifier MR5 (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.3/5).
Pros: Erin’s data supports a useful budget desktop monitor: a 3.0dB midrange span, little overall on-axis tilt, and preference scores of 3.25 standalone and 6.00 with an ideal subwoofer. Balanced TRS inputs and tone controls are practical at its price, and its response is more balanced than the measured Edifier R1280T. Measured bass extension of 79Hz (-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 →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 42W RMS total (21W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 79Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9”H x 5.5”W x 7.6”D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Monitor and Music modes) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.00 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- 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?
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Edifier MR4 Powered Studio Monitors Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Dayton Audio M4: $249.98 per pair Parts Express eBay
Pros: A compact powered pair with a subwoofer output, useful source connections and a solid cabinet. The existing review describes reasonable linearity for the price and a subdued upper treble that avoids an aggressively bright presentation. It is best considered for a close desktop setup. Measured bass extension of 121Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Existing listening and output notes describe limited bass, a balance that changes with distance, and distortion rising above roughly 93dB. The soft treble is a tonal preference, not evidence of reference neutrality; a subwoofer does not establish greater midrange headroom.
Full Dayton Audio M4 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 75W RMS (150W peak) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (RCA) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 121Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C DAC, up to 192kHz/32-bit) |
| Dimensions | 5” x 6.5” x 9.5” (127 x 165 x 241 mm) (W x D x H) |
| Drivers | 4” aluminum woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, USB-C, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Subwoofer (20Hz-200Hz) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs (2.81 kg) (active), 5.1 lbs (2.31 kg) (passive) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons