Short answer: the Edifier R2850DB. It ranks #61 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $499.99. The Edifier MR5 ranks #52, rated 3.3/5, at $329, $170.99 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
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.
What the Edifier MR5 does well: Erin’s Audio Corner measured useful bass for a compact 5-inch monitor, with F3 around 51Hz. Watch for: Erin’s CTA-2034 data shows upper-midrange and treble irregularities, while off-axis response narrows more quickly than ideal above about 2–3kHz.
Buy the Edifier R2850DB. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $170.99 saving on the Edifier MR5 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R2850DB | Edifier MR5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 per pair | $329.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #61 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #52 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) | 6.3"W x 10.4"H x 11"D (159 x 264 x 280 mm) (active); 159W x 264H x 257D mm (passive) |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz-20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 46Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) | 22.9 lbs (10.38 kg) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer | 5-inch woofer + 3.75-inch midrange + 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 and rear high/low controls) |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 75w RMS Per Speaker | 110W 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 | - | 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 |
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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 MR5: $329.00 per pair Amazon eBay
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 $329 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 →
| 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, 6.0 |
| 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