Short answer: the Edifier R1700BT. Both are rated 3.2/5 for sound quality (#87 and #86 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers), and the Edifier R1700BT costs $175.99 against $429 for the Audioengine HD4, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the Edifier R1700BT does well: A compact powered pair with analog and Bluetooth connectivity for uncomplicated desktop listening. The catch: Listening impressions suggest a bass-and-treble-forward balance rather than strict neutrality.
Why pick the Audioengine HD4: Compact powered cabinets, analog input options and RCA output can simplify a desktop stereo system. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Edifier R1700BT lacks. The catch: The compact cabinets suit close desktop listening rather than a large-room system.
Buy the Edifier R1700BT. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $253.01 less than the Audioengine HD4.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1700BT | Audioengine HD4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $175.99 per pair | $429.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #87 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #86 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 10”H x 6.1”W x 8.4”D (254 x 154.9 x 213.4 mm) | 9”H x 5.5”W x 6.5”D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA Input | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Outputs | None | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer | 4” (102mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| EQ | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 66w RMS Per Speaker | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Audioengine HD4 compares with other leading options:
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- Genelec 8030C vs Audioengine HD4
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Audioengine HD4
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- Genelec 8320A vs Audioengine HD4
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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 R1700BT: $175.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A compact powered pair with analog and Bluetooth connectivity for uncomplicated desktop listening. Its self-contained design avoids the need for a separate amplifier.
Cons: Listening impressions suggest a bass-and-treble-forward balance rather than strict neutrality. Its analog and Bluetooth connections are less convenient for sources that require optical or HDMI input.
Full Edifier R1700BT review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 66w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10”H x 6.1”W x 8.4”D (254 x 154.9 x 213.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA Input |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | None |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1700BT sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Audioengine HD3 vs Edifier R1700BT sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier R1700BT Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier R1280DBs vs Edifier R1700BTs Sound Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier R1700BT vs Edifier R2000DB Sound Demo
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier D12 vs Edifier R1700BT sound.DEMO
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier R1700BT vs Edifier R1280DB
- Edifier R1700BT vs Kali Audio IN-UNF
- Edifier R1700BT vs Edifier S1000MKII
- Edifier R1700BT vs Edifier R1280T
- Edifier R1700BT vs Edifier S1000W
- Edifier R1700BT vs Midiplus MI5 II
- Edifier R1700BT vs Edifier R2000DB
- Edifier R1700BT vs Audioengine HD6
- See all 63 comparisons
Audioengine HD4: $429.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Audioengine HD3 (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.2/5), the Audioengine HD6 (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 3.3/5) and the Audioengine HD5 (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 3.2/5).
Pros: Compact powered cabinets, analog input options and RCA output can simplify a desktop stereo system. Its modest footprint is useful where larger studio monitors are impractical.
Cons: The compact cabinets suit close desktop listening rather than a large-room system. A separate subwoofer adds cost and space if deeper bass is a priority.
Full Audioengine HD4 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9”H x 5.5”W x 6.5”D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine HD4 vs Kali Audio IN-UNF
- Audioengine HD4 vs Edifier S1000MKII
- Audioengine HD4 vs Edifier R1280DB
- Audioengine HD4 vs Edifier S1000W
- Audioengine HD4 vs Edifier R1280T
- Audioengine HD4 vs Edifier R2000DB
- Audioengine HD4 vs Audioengine HD6
- Audioengine HD4 vs Edifier MR5
- See all 45 comparisons