Short answer: the Genelec 8331A for better sound quality, the Edifier R1700BT for the lower price. The Genelec 8331A ranks #1 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $5750. The Edifier R1700BT ranks #50 at $186.99, $5563.01 cheaper.
What the Edifier R1700BT offers: Rated 3.5 in the SpeakerRanking database. Watch for: more V shaped, not quite as neutral sounding as the Edifier MR4
What the Genelec 8331A offers: A true compact point source: the coaxial mid/tweeter and acoustically concealed opposed woofers produce exceptionally uniform directivity, superb nearfield summation and pinpoint imaging. Erin measured F3 at 49Hz and F10 at 39Hz, heard useful 40Hz in-room extension, and reached 100dB at 3m before protection activated. Response is highly neutral, distortion is low, and GLM provides calibrated level, delay and room-response correction. The die-cast aluminum waveguide/enclosure is both structurally inert and nearly diffraction-free. Watch for: At $4,500/pair it is expensive for a monitor whose protection circuit mutes near its limit rather than allowing short-term overload; larger rooms and bass-heavy playback still benefit from a subwoofer. GLM calibration requires separate network hardware, and connectivity is studio-centric—analog/AES XLR with no consumer streaming. The compact dual racetrack woofers cannot match larger Genelec Ones for deep-bass headroom, and passive sensitivity is not applicable because all filtering and amplification are internal.
Buy the Edifier R1700BT if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Genelec 8331A if sound quality matters more than the price.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Edifier R1700BT. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1700BT | Genelec 8331A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $186.99 | $5750 |
| Ranked | #50 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #1 of 64 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) | 12"H x 7.4"W x 8.3"D (305 x 189 x 212 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA Input | - |
| Outputs | None | - |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg | 14.8 lbs / 6.7kg each |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer | Dual 130x65mm woofers; 90mm coaxial mid; 19mm tweeter |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Output Power | 66w RMS Per Speaker | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | - | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
| Maximum Output | - | 100dB at 3m before protection (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Amplification | - | 72W LF + 36W MF + 36W HF |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 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: $186.99 Amazon eBay
Cons: more V shaped, not quite as neutral sounding as the Edifier MR4
Full Edifier R1700BT review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA Input |
| Output Power | 66w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | None |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Genelec 8331A: $5750 Bhphotovideo eBay
Pros: A true compact point source: the coaxial mid/tweeter and acoustically concealed opposed woofers produce exceptionally uniform directivity, superb nearfield summation and pinpoint imaging. Erin measured F3 at 49Hz and F10 at 39Hz, heard useful 40Hz in-room extension, and reached 100dB at 3m before protection activated. Response is highly neutral, distortion is low, and GLM provides calibrated level, delay and room-response correction. The die-cast aluminum waveguide/enclosure is both structurally inert and nearly diffraction-free.
Cons: At $4,500/pair it is expensive for a monitor whose protection circuit mutes near its limit rather than allowing short-term overload; larger rooms and bass-heavy playback still benefit from a subwoofer. GLM calibration requires separate network hardware, and connectivity is studio-centric—analog/AES XLR with no consumer streaming. The compact dual racetrack woofers cannot match larger Genelec Ones for deep-bass headroom, and passive sensitivity is not applicable because all filtering and amplification are internal.
Full Genelec 8331A review and specifications →
| Amplification | 72W LF + 36W MF + 36W HF |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 12"H x 7.4"W x 8.3"D (305 x 189 x 212 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 130x65mm woofers; 90mm coaxial mid; 19mm tweeter |
| Maximum Output | 100dB at 3m before protection (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs / 6.7kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons