Short answer: the Palmer Orbit 11 on measured sound quality, the Edifier R2850DB on price. The Palmer Orbit 11 ranks #61 of 119 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.2/5, at $1,532. The Edifier R2850DB ranks #103, rated 3.8/5, at $499.99, $1,032.01 cheaper.
The case for the Edifier R2850DB: A big three way powered pair with deep bass, enough output for a large room, and Bluetooth, optical and RCA inputs. The catch: The big cabinets need real stand or furniture space, and their bass is slightly boomy.
The Palmer Orbit 11 is the better-sounding option. Affordable coaxial monitors with genuinely deep bass, even mids, and a cardioid baffle that cuts room reflections. The catch: Its 7.10 ideal-subwoofer score is more modest than the narrow midrange span alone suggests; response outside that band and off-axis behavior also matter.
Buy the Edifier R2850DB when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Palmer Orbit 11 when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
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A big three way powered pair with deep bass, enough output for a large room, and Bluetooth, optical and RCA inputs.
Affordable coaxial monitors with genuinely deep bass, even mids, and a cardioid baffle that cuts room reflections.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R2850DB | Palmer Orbit 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 per pair | $1,532 per pair |
| Ranked | #103 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #61 of 119 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) | 8.5” x 11.5” x 11.5” (217 x 293 x 292 mm) each |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz-20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 28Hz - 28kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | XLR (balanced analog), AES3 (digital, via XLR) |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) | 30.6 lbs (13.9 kg) each |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) woofer | 1” tweeter + 6.5” midrange (coaxial), 2x 8” woofers |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 75w RMS Per Speaker | 1000W peak / 400W RMS total; Tri-amped Class D |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 27.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 21.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 116dB peak at 1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 6.20 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.10 |
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