Short answer: the Kali Audio IN-8 V2. It ranks #26 of 66 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $499; the Edifier R2850DB ranks #59 and costs $499.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Edifier R2850DB gets right: 3 way speaker. The tradeoff: Quite large and heavy.
On the Kali Audio IN-8 V2 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 Kali Audio IN-8 V2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Edifier R2850DB and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
The Edifier R2850DB is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 66 powered bookshelf speakers; there are better options higher up.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R2850DB | Kali Audio IN-8 V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | $499.00 |
| Ranked | #59 of 66 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #26 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) | 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 | Yes, 5.1 | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | - |
| EQ | No | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | No | No |
| Output Power | 75w RMS Per Speaker | 140w Per Speaker |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 36Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | - | 89dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Kali Audio IN-8 V2:
- Genelec 8351B vs Kali Audio IN-8 V2
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Neumann KH420
- Genelec 8361A vs Kali Audio IN-8 V2
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Genelec 8341A
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Neumann KH 150
Prices on this page were last checked September 8, 2026 at 6:02 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 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 →
| 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 |
| 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 Focal Twin6 Be
- Edifier R2850DB vs Klipsch The Sevens
- Edifier R2850DB vs Kali Audio LP-8
- Edifier R2850DB vs Adam Audio T7V
- Edifier R2850DB vs Adam Audio T8V
- Edifier R2850DB vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
- Edifier R2850DB vs Emotiva Airmotiv 6s
- Edifier R2850DB vs JBL 4329P
- See all 33 comparisons
Kali Audio IN-8 V2: $499.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The IN-8 V2’s coaxial midrange/tweeter supports coherent imaging, and low distortion at ordinary levels complements its 6.54 ideal-subwoofer score. Measured -3dB extension of 45.4Hz provides useful bass; boundary settings assist placement.
Cons: The measured 3.0dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes unevenness that can make some vocals sound forward. Bass and limiter behavior constrain high-level playback. These measurements apply to the V2, not the first-generation IN-8.
Full Kali Audio IN-8 V2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| 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 |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs / 10.4 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Genelec 8050B
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Yamaha HS8
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs JBL 4305P
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Focal Solo6 ST6
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs JBL 308P MKII
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Kali Audio LP-6
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Genelec 8040B
- See all 30 comparisons