Short answer: the Edifier MR4. It ranks #23 of 42 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $169.99; the Edifier S1000MKII ranks #31 and costs $499.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Edifier MR4 offers: More balanced than the R1280DB. Watch for: No Bluetooth unlike other Edifier models.
What the Edifier S1000MKII gets right: High resolution digital input up to 192khz/24bit. The catch: No independent measurements exist - reviews are limited to informal YouTube sound-comparison videos.
Buy the Edifier MR4. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Edifier S1000MKII and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4 | Edifier S1000MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 | $499.99 |
| Ranked | #23 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #31 of 42 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) | 13.6"H x 7.6"W x 11.6"D (345.4 x 193 x 294.6 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Outputs | Headphone | None |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg | 37 lbs / 16.8 kg |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer | 5.5" (140mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Per Speaker | 60w RMS Per Speaker |
| 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) | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- KRK Classic 5 vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- KRK Classic 5 vs Audioengine HD4
- Edifier S1000W vs Presonus Eris E5
- Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus vs Edifier MR4
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier MR4: $169.99 Amazon
Pros: More balanced than the R1280DB. The value king. Impressively deep, flat bass down to 70Hz for such a small speaker, and its waveguide gives it unusually wide, consistent horizontal directivity for the price. Balanced XLR/TRS inputs are rare this cheap.
Cons: No Bluetooth unlike other Edifier models. Distortion climbs sharply above 86dB SPL, breaking into audible squealing near 96dB, and there’s a dip in the lower treble that needs a bit of EQ or the rear HF control to smooth out. Playback volume is limited with bass-heavy material - pushing it loud brings audible clicking/static.
Full Edifier MR4 review and specifications →
| 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) |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1280DBs sound.DEMO
- 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
- Reddit Search for Edifier MR4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Edifier S1000MKII: $499.99 Amazon
Pros: High resolution digital input up to 192khz/24bit. Very close to the S2000MKIII, almost no reason to pay more
Cons: No independent measurements exist - reviews are limited to informal YouTube sound-comparison videos. As one of Edifier’s warmer-tuned lifestyle HiFi speakers, it isn’t voiced for the flat, neutral response of a measurement-verified monitor.
Full Edifier S1000MKII review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 13.6"H x 7.6"W x 11.6"D (345.4 x 193 x 294.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5" (140mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Output Power | 60w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | None |
| Weight | 37 lbs / 16.8 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S1000W
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Klipsch The Fives
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier R1280T
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier R2000DB
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Dynaudio LYD 5
- See all 20 comparisons