Short answer: the HEDD Type 20 MK2 for better sound quality, the Edifier R2850DB for the lower price. The HEDD Type 20 MK2 ranks #18 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers at $4800. The Edifier R2850DB ranks #60 at $499.99, $4300.01 cheaper.
What the Edifier R2850DB offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the HEDD Type 20 MK2 offers: The measured ported configuration reaches 35.2Hz at -3dB and scores 6.92 with an ideal subwoofer. A 2.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports broadly balanced mids, while ported operation reduces deep-bass strain compared with the sealed setting in the review. Watch for: These results are for ported operation, not every bass or phase setting. Horizontal asymmetry and vertical crossover behavior make orientation and listening position important. Distortion rises at higher output, and linear-phase processing can add latency for live monitoring.
Buy the Edifier R2850DB when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the HEDD Type 20 MK2 when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Edifier R2850DB. It ranks near the bottom of the 67 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R2850DB | HEDD Type 20 MK2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 per pair | $4800 per pair |
| Ranked | #60 of 67 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #18 of 67 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 18.1"H x 10.1"W x 12.4"D (459.7 x 256.5 x 315 mm) | 14.1"H x 11"W x 13.3"D (358.1 x 279.4 x 337.8 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz-20KHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 32Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | XLR (Analog/AES) |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) each |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer | 7" honeycomb composite woofer, 4" honeycomb composite midrange, HEDD AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter |
| App | No | Yes (HEDD CTRL) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.1 | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | - |
| EQ | No | Yes (Desk filter, shelf filters) |
| DSP | No | Yes (96kHz/32-bit) |
| Amplifier Power | 75w RMS Per Speaker | 900W (3x300W) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 26Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Outputs | - | XLR (AES pass-through) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 120dB @ 1m (per pair) (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.34 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.92 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How HEDD Type 20 MK2 compares with other leading options:
- AsciLab C8C vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- Mesanovic CDM65 vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- Genelec 8351B vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- Genelec 8361A vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- Neumann KH 150 vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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 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 →
| Amplifier Power | 75w RMS Per Speaker |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| 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) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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HEDD Type 20 MK2: $4800 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: The measured ported configuration reaches 35.2Hz at -3dB and scores 6.92 with an ideal subwoofer. A 2.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports broadly balanced mids, while ported operation reduces deep-bass strain compared with the sealed setting in the review. Measured bass extension of 32Hz (-3dB).
Cons: These results are for ported operation, not every bass or phase setting. Horizontal asymmetry and vertical crossover behavior make orientation and listening position important. Distortion rises at higher output, and linear-phase processing can add latency for live monitoring.
Full HEDD Type 20 MK2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 900W (3x300W) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (HEDD CTRL) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | Yes (96kHz/32-bit) |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 11"W x 13.3"D (358.1 x 279.4 x 337.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 7" honeycomb composite woofer, 4" honeycomb composite midrange, HEDD AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Desk filter, shelf filters) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR (Analog/AES) |
| Maximum SPL | 120dB @ 1m (per pair) (manufacturer specified) |
| Outputs | XLR (AES pass-through) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.34 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.92 |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Neumann KH 310 A
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