Short answer: the Kali Audio IN-8 for the higher ranking, the Edifier R2850DB for the lower price. The Kali Audio IN-8 ranks #9 of 20 powered bookshelf speakers at $499. The Edifier R2850DB ranks #19 at $424.99, $74.01 cheaper.
What the Edifier R2850DB gets right: 3 way speaker. The tradeoff: Quite large and heavy.
On the Kali Audio IN-8 side: Three-way coaxial (coincident) driver in a front-ported cabinet, allowing near-wall placement without port noise issues. Set against that: Notable forwardness/brashness in the 4-5kHz range when listened to on-axis.
Buy the Edifier R2850DB if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the Kali Audio IN-8 if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R2850DB | Kali Audio IN-8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $424.99 | $499.00 |
| Ranked | #19 of 20 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #9 of 20 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) | 17.8"H x 10"W x 11.3"D (452.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz-20KHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | XLR, RCA |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs / 23 kg | 22.9 lbs / 10.4 kg each |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer | 8" (203mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | No | No |
| Output Power | 75w RMS Per Speaker | 140w Per Speaker |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 36Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 44Hz |
The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier R2850DB: $424.99 Amazon
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
| 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 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Kali Audio IN-8: $499.00 Amazon
Pros: Three-way coaxial (coincident) driver in a front-ported cabinet, allowing near-wall placement without port noise issues; extensive dip switches handle boundary compensation, plus XLR/TRS/RCA inputs and a gain-matching volume knob. A built-in limiter makes it essentially impossible to push into mechanical distress - no cabinet buzzing, woofer bottoming, or audible failure even driven hard to 80-95dB in testing. Distortion stays below 1% THD at 86dB and under 3% at 96dB, largely thanks to that limiter. Frequency response and dynamic behavior stay essentially unchanged from 76dB up to 96dB/1m before the limiter engages around 96-102dB. Bass extends smoothly to about 50Hz. A clear step up in linearity over the original V1 version both on-axis and in estimated in-room response, and eliminates the hiss that drew complaints on the V1. Excellent soundstage depth, a benefit typical of coaxial designs, at $800/pair.
Cons: Notable forwardness/brashness in the 4-5kHz range when listened to on-axis, needing about 10° of toe-out (Kali’s own recommendation for the coaxial design) plus some EQ to fully resolve. A dip near the tweeter/voice-coil transition, likely a cancellation effect from the coincident driver’s geometry, is also improved by toeing off-axis. Bass rolls off below about 50Hz, so heavy low-bass material still needs a subwoofer. A minor resonance around 160Hz occasionally made low vocals sound a bit “hot,” though the reviewer rates it minor (about 2/10 in severity). Horizontal soundstage is narrower than non-coaxial alternatives, a typical trade-off of coincident driver designs. Vertical placement tolerance is fairly tight - usable to about ±10°, degrading past ±20°. Designed as a near/midfield monitor for roughly 1-3m listening distances, not intended as a home-theater speaker.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 44Hz |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 17.8"H x 10"W x 11.3"D (452.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 140w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs / 10.4 kg each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.