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 R1700BTs ranks #92, rated 3.2/5, and costs $184.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Edifier MR4 does well: 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. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Edifier R1700BTs lacks. The tradeoff: Bass reaches -3dB around 79Hz, so deep extension should not be inferred from the overall flat trend.
What the Edifier R1700BTs does well: Builds on the Edifier R1700BT with Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX HD, plus a subwoofer output for an easy 2.1 upgrade. The catch: No published measurements, so neutrality is unverified; reviewers describe a leaner bass balance than the older model, and 4 inch woofers still run out of low bass without a sub.
Buy the Edifier MR4. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Edifier R1700BTs and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Worth knowing: the Edifier R1700BTs has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.0 to 3.4, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4 | Edifier R1700BTs | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 per pair | $184.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #72 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #92 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| Dimensions | 9”H x 5.5”W x 7.6”D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) | 6.1”W x 10”H x 8.4”D (154 x 254 x 214 mm) (active speaker) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux | Bluetooth, 2x RCA line in; Sub out |
| Outputs | Headphone | - |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) (pair) |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter | 4” mid/bass driver + 0.75” (19mm) silk dome tweeter (each) |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Monitor and Music modes) | Yes (bass and treble knobs, DSP and DRC) |
| Amplifier Power | 42W RMS total (21W per speaker) | 66W RMS total (2x 18W woofer + 2x 15W tweeter) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 79Hz (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) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.25 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.00 | - |
| Headphone Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | Yes | - |
| TRS Input | Yes | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX, aptX HD |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 MR4: $169.99 per pair Amazon $169.99 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
Edifier R1700BTs: $184.99 per pair Estimated Amazon $184.99 eBay
Pros: Builds on the Edifier R1700BT with Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX HD, plus a subwoofer output for an easy 2.1 upgrade. Larger 19mm tweeters and 66W total power give it more headroom than the Edifier R1280DBs, and the angled cabinets aim the sound up at a seated listener.
Cons: No published measurements, so neutrality is unverified; reviewers describe a leaner bass balance than the older model, and 4 inch woofers still run out of low bass without a sub. Inputs are limited to Bluetooth and two RCA pairs, with no optical, coaxial or USB for a TV or computer.
Full Edifier R1700BTs review and specifications →
| Released | 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 66W RMS total (2x 18W woofer + 2x 15W tweeter) (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 6.1”W x 10”H x 8.4”D (154 x 254 x 214 mm) (active speaker) |
| Drivers | 4” mid/bass driver + 0.75” (19mm) silk dome tweeter (each) |
| EQ | Yes (bass and treble knobs, DSP and DRC) |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA line in; Sub out |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) (pair) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- cheapaudioman: Edifier R1700BTS Review - Desktop Champ
- THE ABSOLUTE SOUND: Edifier 1700BTS Speakers Review
- CJ Ying: Insane Value! Budget "Audiophile" Speakers – Edifier R1700BTS Review
- Knowledge Sharing Tech: Edifier R1280TS vs Edifier R1700BTS
- GearUP with Aaron: No way it’s this 🔥 // EDIFIER R1700BTS (full review 🙄)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons