Short answer: the Edifier MR4.5. It ranks #68 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $199.99; the M-Audio BX4 BT ranks #85, rated 3.3/5, and costs $218, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Edifier MR4.5 is the better-sounding choice. 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 Edifier MR4. 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 M-Audio BX4 BT: A 4.5” Kevlar woofer and 1” silk tweeter per side with Bluetooth, RCA, 1/4” TRS and a front aux input, based on the M-Audio BX4 D3. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
Buy the Edifier MR4.5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the M-Audio BX4 BT and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Worth knowing: the M-Audio BX4 BT has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.0 to 3.6, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4.5 | M-Audio BX4 BT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 per pair | $218.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #68 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #85 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| 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) | 8.9”H x 6.1”W x 6.9”D (226 x 155 x 175 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 69Hz - 22kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth | RCA, 1/4” TRS, 3.5mm aux, Bluetooth |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone | - |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.63 kg) | 9.8 lbs (4.46 kg) each |
| Drivers | 4.5-inch mid-bass driver + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) | 1x 1” silk dome tweeter, 1x 4.5” Kevlar woofer |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC | - |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, room compensation settings and rear high/low controls) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 80W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) | 50W RMS total (2x 25W RMS, 120W peak) |
| 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 | - |
| RCA Input | Yes | - |
| TRS Input | Yes | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Enclosure | - | MDF, bass reflex |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Edifier MR4.5:
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Edifier MR4.5
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Edifier MR4.5
- Klipsch The Fives vs Edifier MR4.5
- JBL 305P MKII vs Edifier MR4.5
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Edifier MR4.5
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier MR4.5: $199.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Edifier MR3 (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.8/5), the Edifier MR4 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.5/5) and the Edifier MR5 (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.3/5).
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 Edifier 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 →
| Released | Jul 2026 (3 months ago) |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
M-Audio BX4 BT: $218.00 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the M-Audio BX4 D3 (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5), the M-Audio BX5 D3 (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 3.9/5) and the M-Audio BX8 D3 (larger bookshelf, rated 4/5).
Pros: A 4.5” Kevlar woofer and 1” silk tweeter per side with Bluetooth, RCA, 1/4” TRS and a front aux input, based on the M-Audio BX4 D3.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. Rated only to 69Hz, so bass is light without a subwoofer, and its 25W per side amplifiers are modest.
Full M-Audio BX4 BT review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS total (2x 25W RMS, 120W peak) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Dimensions | 8.9”H x 6.1”W x 6.9”D (226 x 155 x 175 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 1” silk dome tweeter, 1x 4.5” Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | MDF, bass reflex |
| Frequency Response | 69Hz - 22kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, 1/4” TRS, 3.5mm aux, Bluetooth |
| Weight | 9.8 lbs (4.46 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons