Short answer: the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB if sound quality matters most, the Edifier MR4 if price matters most. The Devialet Phantom II 98 dB ranks #9 of 65 powered bookshelf speakers at $2998. The Edifier MR4 ranks #46 at $169.99, $2828.01 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 Devialet Phantom II 98 dB offers: The manufacturer-supplied measurement shows unusually deep bass for the enclosure size: -3dB at 30Hz. Scores of 6.07 standalone and 7.15 with an ideal subwoofer suggest that its appeal is not limited to bass quantity. Integrated amplification and network playback can replace several components, and its 2.3dB midrange response span is reasonably even. Watch for: Small-enclosure bass extension at the measurement level does not guarantee the same response at high volume. Stereo requires two units, and the integrated architecture offers less system flexibility than conventional monitors.
Buy the Edifier MR4 if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB 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 MR4 | Devialet Phantom II 98 dB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 per pair | $2,998 per pair |
| Ranked | #46 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #9 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) | 6.6 x 6.2 x 8.6 in each |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, Roon Ready, analog/optical combo jack |
| Outputs | Headphone | - |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) each |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer | One aluminum full-range driver; two aluminum bass drivers |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 42w RMS Per Speaker | 400W RMS each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 109Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | approximately 22.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.48 | 6.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.23 | 7.15 |
| Headphone Output | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Maximum SPL | - | 98dB at 1m each (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Devialet Phantom II 98 dB compares with other leading options:
- Genelec 8331A vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- Genelec 8030C vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB 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.
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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
Devialet Phantom II 98 dB: $2,998 per pair Devialet eBay
Pros: The manufacturer-supplied measurement shows unusually deep bass for the enclosure size: -3dB at 30Hz. Scores of 6.07 standalone and 7.15 with an ideal subwoofer suggest that its appeal is not limited to bass quantity. Integrated amplification and network playback can replace several components, and its 2.3dB midrange response span is reasonably even. Measured bass extension of 30Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Small-enclosure bass extension at the measurement level does not guarantee the same response at high volume. Stereo requires two units, and the integrated architecture offers less system flexibility than conventional monitors.
Full Devialet Phantom II 98 dB review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 400W RMS each |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 22.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Dimensions | 6.6 x 6.2 x 8.6 in each |
| Drivers | One aluminum full-range driver; two aluminum bass drivers |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, Roon Ready, analog/optical combo jack |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB at 1m each (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.15 |
| Weight | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Genelec 8020D
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Genelec 8330A
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Klipsch The Fives
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Dynaudio LYD 5
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs JBL 305P MKII
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs Genelec 8030C
- See all 37 comparisons