Short answer: the Palmer STUDIMON 5. Both are rated 3.6/5 for sound quality (#44 and #45 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers), and the Palmer STUDIMON 5 costs $175 against $249 for the Edifier MR4.5, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
The case for the Edifier MR4.5: 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. The tradeoff: 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.
Why pick the Palmer STUDIMON 5: The available third-party measurements predict 3.48 standalone and 6.37 with an ideal subwoofer. The tradeoff: The trace spans 4.0dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and estimates -3dB bass around 80Hz, with local irregularities despite the level overall trend.
Buy the Palmer STUDIMON 5. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $74 less than the Edifier MR4.5.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4.5 | Palmer STUDIMON 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 per pair | $350 per pair |
| Ranked | #45 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #44 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) | 10.6H x 7.5W x 8.5D in |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth | Balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone | - |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.63 kg) | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) each |
| Drivers | 4.5-inch mid-bass driver + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) | 0.75" soft-dome tweeter, 5" 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) | 60W each (30W LF, 30W HF) |
| 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) | 3.48 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.10 (calculated from Erin's Audio Corner CEA2034 data) | 6.37 |
| Measurement Source | Erin's Audio Corner | - |
| Headphone Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| 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 | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 6.0 | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way active, rear-ported |
| Country | - | Germany (design) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Palmer STUDIMON 5:
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Palmer STUDIMON 5
- JBL 305P MKII vs Palmer STUDIMON 5
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Palmer STUDIMON 5
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Palmer STUDIMON 5
- KEF LSX II LT vs Palmer STUDIMON 5
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Palmer STUDIMON 5: $350 per pair Thomann eBay
Pros: The available third-party measurements predict 3.48 standalone and 6.37 with an ideal subwoofer. Balanced inputs and a conventional compact monitor cabinet make it straightforward to use with studio equipment. The broad response trend is approximately level rather than strongly bright or dark.
Cons: The trace spans 4.0dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and estimates -3dB bass around 80Hz, with local irregularities despite the level overall trend. There are no room-EQ controls to address broad placement errors, and the available score does not establish clean output.
Full Palmer STUDIMON 5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W each (30W LF, 30W HF) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | Germany (design) |
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 7.5W x 8.5D in |
| Drivers | 0.75" soft-dome tweeter, 5" woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.48 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.37 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Palmer STUDIMON 5 vs Adam Audio A4V
- Palmer STUDIMON 5 vs Yamaha HS5
- Palmer STUDIMON 5 vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- Palmer STUDIMON 5 vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Palmer STUDIMON 5 vs Kanto YU
- Palmer STUDIMON 5 vs KRK Classic 5
- Palmer STUDIMON 5 vs Onkyo GX-30ARC
- Palmer STUDIMON 5 vs Edifier MR5
- See all 19 comparisons