Short answer: the Edifier MR3. It ranks #8 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $109.99; the Edifier R1700BT ranks #59, rated 3.2/5, and costs $219.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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 Edifier MR3: Erin’s measurements show little overall tilt across the listening window, helping voices retain a broadly natural balance at a desk. The tradeoff: Local response ripples remain: the measured 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.5dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.538.
Buy the Edifier MR3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Edifier R1700BT and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1700BT | Edifier MR3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219.99 per pair | $109.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #59 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #8 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 10"H x 6.1"W x 8.4"D (254 x 154.9 x 213.4 mm) | 8.7"H x 4.9"W x 7.3"D (220 x 125.5 x 185 mm) (active); 220H x 125.5W x 176D mm (passive) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA Input | Balanced TRS, RCA, Aux, Bluetooth |
| Outputs | None | 3.5mm headphone |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) | 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer | 3.5" mid-low driver, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.1 | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| EQ | No | Yes (rear knobs and app room compensation) |
| Amplifier Power | 66w RMS Per Speaker | 36W total (18W per speaker) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.4 |
| Sensitivity | - | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.91 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.53 |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Edifier MR3 compares with other leading options:
- Edifier MR3 vs Genelec 8010A
- Adam Audio D3v vs Edifier MR3
- Edifier MR3 vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
- Edifier MR3 vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Edifier M60 vs Edifier MR3
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 R1700BT: $219.99 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, 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| 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 Audioengine HD4
- Edifier R1700BT vs Kali Audio IN-UNF
- Edifier R1700BT vs Edifier R1280T
- Edifier R1700BT vs Edifier S1000MKII
- Edifier R1700BT vs Midiplus MI5 II
- Edifier R1700BT vs Edifier S1000W
- Edifier R1700BT vs JBL One Series 104
- See all 61 comparisons
Edifier MR3: $109.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s measurements show little overall tilt across the listening window, helping voices retain a broadly natural balance at a desk. Scores of 3.91 standalone and 6.53 with an ideal subwoofer support it as a useful budget nearfield option rather than a reference monitor. Tone controls and app-based EQ provide unusually flexible adjustment, and its bass extends farther than the Fostex PM03’s. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.3dB.
Cons: Local response ripples remain: the measured 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.5dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.538. Bass reaches -3dB at about 70Hz. The limiter protects the drivers but prevents much extra loudness when pushed; existing compression testing puts effective single-speaker output around 86-87dB at 1m. Vertical crossover interference makes tweeter height and tilt important.
Full Edifier MR3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7"H x 4.9"W x 7.3"D (220 x 125.5 x 185 mm) (active); 220H x 125.5W x 176D mm (passive) |
| Drivers | 3.5" mid-low driver, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (rear knobs and app room compensation) |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Balanced TRS, RCA, Aux, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.91 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons