Short answer: the Edifier R2850DB. It ranks #103 of 119 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $499.99. The Edifier MR5 ranks #78, rated 3.3/5, at $349.99, $150 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The R2850DB is the big living-room pair. Large cabinets with 8-inch woofers give strong, deep bass and enough clean output for a large room, and Consumer Reports found accurate, detailed sound. It handles both digital and analog sources and supports aptX. Its bass is slightly boomy, its mids slightly hazy and its treble subdued, and at 50.7 lbs (23 kg) the pair needs real stand space.
The MR5 is a compact three-way monitor with more control. Each speaker has a 5-inch woofer, a 3.75-inch midrange and a silk tweeter, reaching 51Hz before falling 3dB in Erin’s measurements. It adds balanced XLR and TRS inputs, LDAC, an app EQ and a headphone output. Its upper mids and treble are uneven, off-axis sound narrows above 2 to 3kHz, and it compresses when played loud.
Buy the Edifier R2850DB. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $150 saving on the Edifier MR5 is not enough to make up the difference.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R2850DB | Edifier MR5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 per pair | $349.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #103 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #78 of 108 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 | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 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 |
| 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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