Short answer: the Edifier MR4.5. It ranks #45 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $249; the Edifier MR5 ranks #52, rated 3.3/5, and costs $329, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The MR5 is the bigger step up in output, not in bass depth. Its three-way design adds a dedicated 3.75-inch midrange to a 5-inch woofer, with 110W in total against the MR4.5’s 80W. Bass extension is close: about 51Hz at -3dB for the MR5 and about 60Hz for the MR4.5, with the MR4.5 still reaching 44Hz at -10dB. The MR5 has more headroom for larger rooms, while the MR4.5 already shows meaningful compression by 96dB.
Both have tonal flaws, in different places. The MR4.5 scores about 3.9 on its own and 6.1 with an ideal subwoofer, held back by a broad upper bass bump around 120 to 150Hz, a dip around 2 to 3kHz and brighter treble. The MR5 shows upper midrange and treble irregularities and an off-axis response that narrows quickly above about 2 to 3kHz. With either, aim the tweeters at ear height.
Their connections are nearly identical. Both offer balanced XLR and TRS, RCA and aux inputs, LDAC Bluetooth, a front headphone output and room compensation through the ConneX app, so the choice mostly comes down to desk space against output. The MR4.5 is 244mm tall and fits a desk more easily; the MR5 is 264mm tall and noticeably deeper.
Buy the Edifier MR4.5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Edifier MR5 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4.5 | Edifier MR5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 per pair | $329.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #45 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #52 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 5.5"W x 9.6"H x 9"D (140 x 244 x 229 mm) (active); 140W x 244H x 208D mm (passive) | 6.3"W x 10.4"H x 11"D (159 x 264 x 280 mm) (active); 159W x 264H x 257D mm (passive) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 46Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone | 3.5mm headphone |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.63 kg) | 22.9 lbs (10.38 kg) |
| Drivers | 4.5-inch mid-bass driver + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) | 5-inch woofer + 3.75-inch midrange + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC | LDAC, SBC |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, room compensation settings and rear high/low controls) | Yes (app EQ and rear high/low controls) |
| Amplifier Power | 80W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) | 110W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) | 101dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 51Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.86 (calculated from Erin's Audio Corner CEA2034 data) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.10 (calculated from Erin's Audio Corner CEA2034 data) | - |
| Measurement Source | Erin's Audio Corner | Erin's Audio Corner |
| Headphone Output | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 6.0 | Yes, 6.0 |
| Sensitivity | - | 85dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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 MR4.5: $249 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass reaches about 60Hz at -3dB and 44Hz at -10dB in Erin’s measurements, notably deep for a 4.5-inch desktop monitor and well beyond the smaller MR4. It connects to nearly anything: balanced XLR and TRS, RCA and 3.5mm aux inputs, Bluetooth 6.0 with LDAC and multipoint, plus a front headphone output. Rear high and low shelving knobs and the ConneX app’s room compensation settings help tune it for desk or wall placement. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The response is uneven, with a broad upper-bass bump around 120 to 150Hz, a presence dip of roughly 3dB around 2 to 3kHz and brighter treble above it (listening-window tilt +0.22dB per octave), which holds its preference score to about 3.9 on its own and 6.1 with an ideal subwoofer. Vertical lobing means the tweeter should be aimed at ear height. Compression is already meaningful at 96dB and distortion climbs sharply between 700Hz and 3kHz when pushed, so it suits nearfield desk listening rather than filling a room.
Full Edifier MR4.5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 6.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.5"W x 9.6"H x 9"D (140 x 244 x 229 mm) (active); 140W x 244H x 208D mm (passive) |
| Drivers | 4.5-inch mid-bass driver + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, room compensation settings and rear high/low controls) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Measurement Source | Erin's Audio Corner |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.86 (calculated from Erin's Audio Corner CEA2034 data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.10 (calculated from Erin's Audio Corner CEA2034 data) |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.63 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Edifier MR5: $329.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s Audio Corner measured useful bass for a compact 5-inch monitor, with F3 around 51Hz. The three-way active design adds a dedicated 3.75-inch midrange, and the 110W RMS system, app EQ, room-compensation controls, LDAC, balanced XLR/TRS inputs, and front headphone output make it unusually well equipped at $329 per pair. Measured bass extension of 51Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Erin’s CTA-2034 data shows upper-midrange and treble irregularities, while off-axis response narrows more quickly than ideal above about 2–3kHz. Bass output is level-limited below about 70Hz and distortion/compression rise at higher levels, so it suits moderate nearfield use better than loud mid-field playback.
Full Edifier MR5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 110W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 6.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3"W x 10.4"H x 11"D (159 x 264 x 280 mm) (active); 159W x 264H x 257D mm (passive) |
| Drivers | 5-inch woofer + 3.75-inch midrange + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ and rear high/low controls) |
| Frequency Response | 46Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Measurement Source | Erin's Audio Corner |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.38 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons