Short answer: the Edifier MR4.5. It ranks #69 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $199.99; the Edifier MR5 ranks #78, rated 3.3/5, and costs $349.99, 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, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4.5 | Edifier MR5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 per pair | $349.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #69 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #78 of 108 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 | Yes |
| Sensitivity | - | 85dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
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