Short answer: the Edifier MR4. It ranks #72 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $169.99; the Edifier MR5 ranks #78, rated 3.3/5, and costs $349.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The MR5 fixes the MR4’s biggest weakness, which is bass. The MR4’s 4-inch woofer is 3dB down at 79Hz and 10dB down at 59Hz, while the three-way MR5 reaches about 51Hz at -3dB in Erin’s measurements, with a 5-inch woofer and a dedicated 3.75-inch midrange driven by 110W in total. The MR5 also plays louder before distorting; the MR4 shows rapidly rising distortion once pushed past moderate desk levels.
Neither is especially neutral. The MR4 earns preference scores of 3.25 on its own and 6.00 with an ideal subwoofer, with little overall tilt but lower treble unevenness. The MR5 has its own upper midrange and treble irregularities, and its off-axis response narrows quickly above about 2 to 3kHz, so keep it aimed at your ears.
The MR5 is the more complete package. Both have balanced TRS, RCA and aux inputs and a front headphone output. The MR5 adds balanced XLR, LDAC Bluetooth, app EQ and room compensation controls; the MR4 has no Bluetooth and only Monitor and Music sound modes, but its smaller cabinet fits a narrower desk.
Buy the Edifier MR4. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Edifier MR5 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.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4 | Edifier MR5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 per pair | $349.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #72 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #78 of 108 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) | 6.3”W x 10.4”H x 11”D (159 x 264 x 280 mm) (active); 159W x 264H x 257D mm (passive) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 46Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Outputs | Headphone | 3.5mm headphone |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) | 22.9 lbs (10.38 kg) |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter | 5-inch woofer + 3.75-inch midrange + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| App | No | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Monitor and Music modes) | Yes (app EQ and rear high/low controls) |
| Amplifier Power | 42W RMS total (21W per speaker) | 110W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 79Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85dB (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 | Yes |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 6.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | LDAC, SBC |
| Maximum SPL | - | 101dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Measurement Source | - | Erin’s Audio Corner |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Edifier MR4: