Short answer: the Edifier R2850DB if sound quality matters most, the Edifier MR4.5 if price matters most. The Edifier R2850DB ranks #61 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 3.8/5, at $499.99. The Edifier MR4.5 ranks #45, rated 3.6/5, at $249, $250.99 cheaper.
What the Edifier R2850DB does well: A large self-powered three-way pair with digital and analog source switching and proper left/right separation. The catch: The big cabinets need real stand or furniture space, and their bass is slightly boomy.
Why pick the Edifier MR4.5: Bass reaches about 60Hz at -3dB and 44Hz at -10dB in Erin’s measurements, notably deep for a 4.5-inch desktop monitor and well beyond the smaller MR4. The tradeoff: The response is uneven, with a broad upper-bass bump around 120 to 150Hz, a presence dip of roughly 3dB around 2 to 3kHz and brighter treble above it (listening-window tilt +0.22dB per octave), which holds its preference score to about 3.9 on its own and 6.1 with an ideal subwoofer.
Buy the Edifier R2850DB if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Edifier MR4.5 if the price matters more than sound quality.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R2850DB | Edifier MR4.5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 per pair | $249 per pair |
| Ranked | #61 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #45 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 18.1"H x 10.1"W x 12.4"D (459.7 x 256.5 x 315 mm) | 5.5"W x 9.6"H x 9"D (140 x 244 x 229 mm) (active); 140W x 244H x 208D mm (passive) |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz-20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) | 14.6 lbs (6.63 kg) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer | 4.5-inch mid-bass driver + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| App | No | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.1 | Yes, 6.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | LDAC, SBC |
| EQ | No | Yes (app EQ, room compensation settings and rear high/low controls) |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 75w RMS Per Speaker | 80W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Outputs | - | 3.5mm headphone |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 6.0 |
| Maximum SPL | - | 98dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 44Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.86 (calculated from Erin's Audio Corner CEA2034 data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.10 (calculated from Erin's Audio Corner CEA2034 data) |
| Measurement Source | - | Erin's Audio Corner |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
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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 R2850DB: $499.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A large self-powered three-way pair with digital and analog source switching and proper left/right separation. Consumer Reports found accurate, detailed sound with strong, deep bass, a broad enough soundfield and enough clean output for a large room. It is a compelling simple system for TV, desktop or living-room music without buying a separate amplifier.
Cons: The big cabinets need real stand or furniture space, and their bass is slightly boomy. Consumer Reports also hears mildly grainy/hazy mids, subdued treble and a two-dimensional image despite the two cabinets. As an integrated system it is less upgradeable than separate passive speakers and an amplifier.
Full Edifier R2850DB review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 75w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 18.1"H x 10.1"W x 12.4"D (459.7 x 256.5 x 315 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz-20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
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Edifier MR4.5: $249 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass reaches about 60Hz at -3dB and 44Hz at -10dB in Erin’s measurements, notably deep for a 4.5-inch desktop monitor and well beyond the smaller MR4. It connects to nearly anything: balanced XLR and TRS, RCA and 3.5mm aux inputs, Bluetooth 6.0 with LDAC and multipoint, plus a front headphone output. Rear high and low shelving knobs and the ConneX app’s room compensation settings help tune it for desk or wall placement. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The response is uneven, with a broad upper-bass bump around 120 to 150Hz, a presence dip of roughly 3dB around 2 to 3kHz and brighter treble above it (listening-window tilt +0.22dB per octave), which holds its preference score to about 3.9 on its own and 6.1 with an ideal subwoofer. Vertical lobing means the tweeter should be aimed at ear height. Compression is already meaningful at 96dB and distortion climbs sharply between 700Hz and 3kHz when pushed, so it suits nearfield desk listening rather than filling a room.
Full Edifier MR4.5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 6.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.5"W x 9.6"H x 9"D (140 x 244 x 229 mm) (active); 140W x 244H x 208D mm (passive) |
| Drivers | 4.5-inch mid-bass driver + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, room compensation settings and rear high/low controls) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Measurement Source | Erin's Audio Corner |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.86 (calculated from Erin's Audio Corner CEA2034 data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.10 (calculated from Erin's Audio Corner CEA2034 data) |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.63 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons