Short answer: the Edifier MR4. It ranks #23 of 42 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $169.99; the Edifier S2000MKIII ranks #29 and costs $594.98, 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.
The case for the Edifier S2000MKIII: High resolution digital input up to 192khz/24bit. The tradeoff: 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 S2000MKIII and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4 | Edifier S2000MKIII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 | $594.98 |
| Ranked | #23 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #29 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) | 13.5"H x 7.8"W x 10.8"D (342.9 x 198.1 x 274.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz-40KHz (-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 | 20.7 lbs / 9.4 kg |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer | 5.5" (140mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Per Speaker | 65w 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) | - |
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- Edifier S1000W vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier S1000W
- Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus vs KRK Classic 5
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Edifier MR4
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 S2000MKIII: $594.98 Amazon
Pros: High resolution digital input up to 192khz/24bit
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 S2000MKIII review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 7.8"W x 10.8"D (342.9 x 198.1 x 274.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5" (140mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-40KHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Output Power | 65w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | None |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs / 9.4 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S2000MKIII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier S2000MKIII vs Klipsch The Three II sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier R2850DB vs Edifier S2000MKIII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier S3000PRO Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Reddit Search for Edifier S2000MKIII Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier S1000W
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier R1280T
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier S1000MKII
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier R1280DB
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Klipsch The Fives
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- See all 28 comparisons