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 R1700BT ranks #88, rated 3.2/5, and costs $219.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Edifier MR4.5 is the better-sounding choice. A desktop monitor pair with deep bass for its size, LDAC Bluetooth, balanced inputs, a headphone jack and app tuning. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Edifier R1700BT lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Edifier R1700BT lacks. The catch: 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.
The case for the Edifier R1700BT: A compact powered pair with Bluetooth and analog inputs for easy desktop listening without a separate amplifier. Watch for: Listening impressions suggest a bass-and-treble-forward balance rather than strict neutrality.
Buy the Edifier MR4.5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Edifier R1700BT and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4.5 | Edifier R1700BT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 per pair | $219.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #69 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #88 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) | 10”H x 6.1”W x 8.4”D (254 x 154.9 x 213.4 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth | Bluetooth, RCA Input |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone | None |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.63 kg) | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
| Drivers | 4.5-inch mid-bass driver + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) | 4” (102mm) woofer |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, room compensation settings and rear high/low controls) | No |
| Amplifier Power | 80W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) | 66w RMS Per Speaker |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (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 | - |
| Headphone Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
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