Short answer: the Genelec 8030C on measured sound quality, the Edifier MR4 on price. The Genelec 8030C ranks #3 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.6/5, at $1,750. The Edifier MR4 ranks #70, rated 3.5/5, at $169.99, $1,580.01 cheaper.
Why pick the Edifier MR4: 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 Genelec 8030C lacks. The tradeoff: Bass reaches -3dB around 79Hz, so deep extension should not be inferred from the overall flat trend.
The Genelec 8030C is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. ASR’s Klippel measurements show a 1.9dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and smooth listening-window behavior. Its bass reaches about 59Hz before falling 3dB, against 79Hz for the Edifier MR4. The tradeoff: A dip around 2-3kHz remains, and vertical placement is less forgiving than the horizontal coverage suggests.
Buy the Edifier MR4 if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Genelec 8030C if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4 | Genelec 8030C | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 per pair | $1,750 per pair |
| Ranked | #70 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #3 of 100 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) | 11.7”H x 7.4”W x 7”D (297.2 x 188 x 177.8 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 54Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux | XLR |
| Outputs | Headphone | - |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) | 11 lbs (5 kg) each |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter | 5.1” woofer, 0.75” metal dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Monitor and Music modes) | Yes (Bass tilt, treble tilt, room response) |
| Amplifier Power | 42W RMS total (21W per speaker) | 100W (50W woofer + 50W tweeter) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 79Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 59Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| 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 | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Genelec 8030C vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Genelec 8030C vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Genelec 8030C vs Dynaudio LYD 5
- Genelec 8030C vs Genelec 8330A
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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
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
Genelec 8030C: $1,750 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the Genelec 8030A (ranked lower, estimated 4.4/5).
Same family: the Genelec 8010A (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.5/5), the Genelec 8020D (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.4/5), the Genelec 8040B (larger bookshelf, rated 4.3/5) and the Genelec 8050B (larger bookshelf, rated 4.4/5).
Pros: ASR’s Klippel measurements show a 1.9dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and smooth listening-window behavior. Predicted preference scores of 5.35 standalone and 7.60 with an ideal subwoofer support its high position for tonal accuracy. Broad, controlled horizontal radiation makes the balance relatively stable across a desk, and bass reaches -3dB around 56Hz. Measured bass extension of 59Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A dip around 2-3kHz remains, and vertical placement is less forgiving than the horizontal coverage suggests. Deep-bass headroom is limited; isolated high-output measurements at higher frequencies do not describe full-band loudness. The review found demanding bass material could cause audible distress beyond moderate levels. A subwoofer is useful for full-range monitoring.
Full Genelec 8030C review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W (50W woofer + 50W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7.4”W x 7”D (297.2 x 188 x 177.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.1” woofer, 0.75” metal dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Bass tilt, treble tilt, room response) |
| Frequency Response | 54Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 11 lbs (5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons