Short answer: the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor. It ranks #1 of 66 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality; the Edifier R2850DB ranks #56.
What the Edifier R2850DB offers: 3 way speaker. Deeper bass and more of a fun listen compared to the neutral sound of the HS8. Shockingly close to the HS8 at half the price. Watch for: Quite large and heavy
What the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor offers: Flagship quasi-active two-way with a 15-inch 2216Nd woofer and D2 compression driver crossing near 800Hz through a large Image Control Waveguide. Erin measured F3 at 34Hz, less than 1% THD at 86 and 96dB, and only about 0.25dB compression by 102dB. Radiation stays broadly constant to roughly +/-60 degrees through 8-9kHz, producing excellent direct/reflected-sound agreement and enormous clean dynamic range. External DSP amplification permits precise factory crossover, phase and response correction. Watch for: The required bi-amplification/DSP ecosystem is expensive and complex; Erin’s Crown I-Tech 5000HD had fans loud enough that he moved it to another room for measurements. Midrange resonances remain visible despite the otherwise neutral response, and treble dispersion narrows above roughly 9kHz before beaming above 12kHz. Each 130-pound enclosure is physically imposing. This is an amplified system, so passive impedance and sensitivity figures are not applicable to the complete configured product.
Buy the Edifier R2850DB if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor if sound quality matters more than the price.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Edifier R2850DB. It ranks near the bottom of the 66 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R2850DB | JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | Contact dealer |
| Ranked | #56 of 66 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #1 of 66 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) | - |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz-20KHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | - |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs / 23 kg | 130 lb each |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer | 15" 2216Nd woofer; D2 compression driver in Image Control Waveguide |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Output Power | 75w RMS Per Speaker | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 21.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | - | Not applicable (externally bi-amplified DSP system) |
| Crossover | - | 800Hz active DSP |
| Max SPL | - | 123dB manufacturer specified |
| Amplification | - | External two-channel amplification and JBL DSP tuning required |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Yamaha HS8 vs Adam Audio T7V
- Adam Audio T7V vs APS Klasik 2020
- Adam Audio T7V vs Kali Audio IN-8 V2
- Edifier R2850DB vs Edifier S1000MKII
- Edifier R2850DB vs Kali Audio IN-8 V2
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier R2850DB: $499.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: 3 way speaker. Deeper bass and more of a fun listen compared to the neutral sound of the HS8. Shockingly close to the HS8 at half the price.
Cons: Quite large and heavy
Full Edifier R2850DB review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 75w RMS Per Speaker |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs / 23 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier R2850DB vs Adam Audio T7V
- Edifier R2850DB vs Klipsch The Sevens
- Edifier R2850DB vs Kali Audio LP-8
- Edifier R2850DB vs Emotiva Airmotiv 6s
- Edifier R2850DB vs Adam Audio S2V
- Edifier R2850DB vs Genelec 8341A
- Edifier R2850DB vs JBL 306P MKII
- Edifier R2850DB vs Focal Twin6 Be
- See all 33 comparisons
JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor: Contact dealer JBL Professional Dealer Locator eBay
Pros: Flagship quasi-active two-way with a 15-inch 2216Nd woofer and D2 compression driver crossing near 800Hz through a large Image Control Waveguide. Erin measured F3 at 34Hz, less than 1% THD at 86 and 96dB, and only about 0.25dB compression by 102dB. Radiation stays broadly constant to roughly +/-60 degrees through 8-9kHz, producing excellent direct/reflected-sound agreement and enormous clean dynamic range. External DSP amplification permits precise factory crossover, phase and response correction.
Cons: The required bi-amplification/DSP ecosystem is expensive and complex; Erin’s Crown I-Tech 5000HD had fans loud enough that he moved it to another room for measurements. Midrange resonances remain visible despite the otherwise neutral response, and treble dispersion narrows above roughly 9kHz before beaming above 12kHz. Each 130-pound enclosure is physically imposing. This is an amplified system, so passive impedance and sensitivity figures are not applicable to the complete configured product.
Full JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor review and specifications →
| Amplification | External two-channel amplification and JBL DSP tuning required |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 21.0Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover | 800Hz active DSP |
| Drivers | 15" 2216Nd woofer; D2 compression driver in Image Control Waveguide |
| Max SPL | 123dB manufacturer specified |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (externally bi-amplified DSP system) |
| Weight | 130 lb each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Kii THREE
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Dutch & Dutch 8C
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Neumann KH420
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Genelec 8361A
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Genelec 8351B
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Genelec 8050B
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Genelec 8040B
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Kali Audio IN-8 V2
- See all 22 comparisons