Short answer: the Palmer STUDIMON 5. It ranks #44 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $175; the Edifier MR5 ranks #52, rated 3.3/5, and costs $329, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Edifier MR5 does well: Erin’s Audio Corner measured useful bass for a compact 5-inch monitor, with F3 around 51Hz. The tradeoff: Erin’s CTA-2034 data shows upper-midrange and treble irregularities, while off-axis response narrows more quickly than ideal above about 2–3kHz.
The case for 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. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Edifier MR5 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR5 | Palmer STUDIMON 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.00 per pair | $350 per pair |
| Ranked | #52 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #44 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| 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) | 10.6H x 7.5W x 8.5D in |
| Frequency Response | 46Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux | Balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone | - |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.38 kg) | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5-inch woofer + 3.75-inch midrange + 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 and rear high/low controls) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 110W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) | 60W each (30W LF, 30W HF) |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.48 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.37 |
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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 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
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
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