Short answer: the Edifier MR5. It ranks #77 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $349.99. The Yamaha HS4 ranks #32, rated 3.1/5, at $249.99, $100 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The case for the Edifier MR5: 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 Yamaha HS4: Active compact desktop monitor featuring a 4.5-inch white cone woofer and a 1-inch soft dome tweeter driven by a clean 26W + 26W Class-D amplifier. The tradeoff: Rating estimated from HS-series measured lineage.
Buy the Edifier MR5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $100 you would save on the Yamaha HS4 does not close the gap.
Worth knowing: the Yamaha HS4 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 2.9 to 3.3, so treat this verdict as provisional.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR5 | Yamaha HS4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 per pair | $249.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #77 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #32 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| 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) | 9.4” x 5.9” x 8.4” (240 x 150 x 213 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 46Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 22kHz (-10dB) |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux | - |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone | - |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.38 kg) | 8.2 lbs (3.7 kg) (pair total) |
| Drivers | 5-inch woofer + 3.75-inch midrange + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) | 1” soft dome tweeter, 4.5” cone 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) | 52W (26W + 26W dynamic) |
| 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 | - |
| 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 | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2.3kHz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Yamaha HS4:
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Yamaha HS4
- Bose Companion 2 Series III vs Yamaha HS4
- Yamaha HS4 vs Yamaha HS3
- Onkyo GX-30ARC vs Edifier MR5
- JBL 305P MKII vs Edifier MR5
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier MR5: $349.99 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Edifier MR3 (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.8/5), the Edifier MR4 (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 3.5/5) and the Edifier MR4.5 (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 3.6/5).
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 $350 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 →
| Released | Jun 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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
Yamaha HS4: $249.99 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Yamaha HS3 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 2.9/5), the Yamaha HS5 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.6/5), the Yamaha HS7 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.9/5), the Yamaha HS8 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.4/5) and the Yamaha HS8S (subwoofer, rated 3/5).
Pros: Active compact desktop monitor featuring a 4.5-inch white cone woofer and a 1-inch soft dome tweeter driven by a clean 26W + 26W Class-D amplifier. Delivers a more balanced low-end response (reaching down to 60Hz at -10dB) and smoother high-frequency dispersion than the Yamaha HS3, while including flexible XLR/TRS, RCA, and 3.5mm stereo inputs along with Room Control and High Trim boundary acoustic switches.
Cons: Rating estimated from HS-series measured lineage. Lower output capability and less bass extension than the dedicated bi-amplified Yamaha HS5; master/slave passive wire configuration for the second speaker.
Full Yamaha HS4 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2023 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 52W (26W + 26W dynamic) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.3kHz |
| Dimensions | 9.4” x 5.9” x 8.4” (240 x 150 x 213 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” soft dome tweeter, 4.5” cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 22kHz (-10dB) |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs (3.7 kg) (pair total) |
- 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