Short answer: the Edifier MR4. It ranks #71 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $169.99. The Mackie CR4-X ranks #24, rated 3.3/5, at $129.99, $40 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for 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. Watch for: Bass reaches -3dB around 79Hz, so deep extension should not be inferred from the overall flat trend.
The case for the Mackie CR4-X: The updated Mackie CR4 with a 4” polypropylene woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter and 50W total, all-wood cabinets, a front headphone jack and RCA, 1/4” and 1/8” inputs. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from its measured predecessor.
Buy the Edifier MR4. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $40 with the Mackie CR4-X does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Worth knowing: the Mackie CR4-X has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 2.9 to 3.7, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4 | Mackie CR4-X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 per pair | $129.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #71 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #24 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| Dimensions | 9”H x 5.5”W x 7.6”D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) | 8.9”H x 6.1”W x 8.3”D (226 x 155 x 211 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz-20kHz -10dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux | - |
| Outputs | Headphone | - |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) | - |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter | 4” polypropylene-coated woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Monitor and Music modes) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 42W RMS total (21W per speaker) | 50W total |
| 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 | Yes |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Mackie CR4-X:
- Edifier MR4 vs JBL One Series 104
- Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1280DB
- Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1280T
- Edifier MR3 vs Edifier MR4
- Edifier MR4 vs Neumi BS5P
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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 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
Mackie CR4-X: $129.99 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Mackie CR4.5, ranked lower, estimated 3.3/5, released Oct 2024.
Older model: the Mackie CR4 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every Mackie CR generation.
Same family: the Mackie CR3-X (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3/5).
Pros: The updated Mackie CR4 with a 4” polypropylene woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter and 50W total, all-wood cabinets, a front headphone jack and RCA, 1/4” and 1/8” inputs. It costs $130 a pair.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from its measured predecessor. Its predecessor measured with an uneven on-axis response, and Mackie rates bass only to 60Hz at -10dB.
Full Mackie CR4-X review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 50W total |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8.9”H x 6.1”W x 8.3”D (226 x 155 x 211 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” polypropylene-coated woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz-20kHz -10dB (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples