Short answer: the Edifier MR3. It ranks #8 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $109.99; the Edifier S1000MKII ranks #56, rated 3.3/5, and costs $499.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Edifier S1000MKII does well: A self-powered stereo pair with optical, coaxial and analog inputs, plus high-resolution digital support, makes source switching unusually simple. Watch for: High-resolution input support is not a guarantee of perfect tuning, and the fixed internal amplification prevents the gradual upgrades possible with separates.
The case for the Edifier MR3: Erin’s measurements show little overall tilt across the listening window, helping voices retain a broadly natural balance at a desk. The tradeoff: Local response ripples remain: the measured 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.5dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.538.
Buy the Edifier MR3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Edifier S1000MKII and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier S1000MKII | Edifier MR3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 per pair | $109.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #56 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #8 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 13.6"H x 7.6"W x 11.6"D (345.4 x 193 x 294.6 mm) | 8.7"H x 4.9"W x 7.3"D (220 x 125.5 x 185 mm) (active); 220H x 125.5W x 176D mm (passive) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | Balanced TRS, RCA, Aux, Bluetooth |
| Outputs | None | 3.5mm headphone |
| Weight | 37 lbs (16.8 kg) | 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) |
| Drivers | 5.5" (140mm) woofer | 3.5" mid-low driver, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX HD | SBC |
| EQ | No | Yes (rear knobs and app room compensation) |
| Amplifier Power | 60w RMS Per Speaker | 36W total (18W per speaker) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.4 |
| Sensitivity | - | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.91 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.53 |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Edifier MR3 compares with other leading options:
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- Adam Audio D3v vs Edifier MR3
- Edifier MR3 vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
- Edifier MR3 vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Edifier M60 vs Edifier MR3
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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 S1000MKII: $499.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A self-powered stereo pair with optical, coaxial and analog inputs, plus high-resolution digital support, makes source switching unusually simple. Consumer Reports rates its sound accurate and detailed, so it is a strong one-box alternative to separate amplifier-and-speaker systems for nearfield or small-room listening.
Cons: High-resolution input support is not a guarantee of perfect tuning, and the fixed internal amplification prevents the gradual upgrades possible with separates. These are mains-powered speakers rather than portable wireless speakers, and their size and left/right cabling need a planned desktop or stand setup.
Full Edifier S1000MKII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 13.6"H x 7.6"W x 11.6"D (345.4 x 193 x 294.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5" (140mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | None |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 37 lbs (16.8 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
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Edifier MR3: $109.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s measurements show little overall tilt across the listening window, helping voices retain a broadly natural balance at a desk. Scores of 3.91 standalone and 6.53 with an ideal subwoofer support it as a useful budget nearfield option rather than a reference monitor. Tone controls and app-based EQ provide unusually flexible adjustment, and its bass extends farther than the Fostex PM03’s. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.3dB.
Cons: Local response ripples remain: the measured 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.5dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.538. Bass reaches -3dB at about 70Hz. The limiter protects the drivers but prevents much extra loudness when pushed; existing compression testing puts effective single-speaker output around 86-87dB at 1m. Vertical crossover interference makes tweeter height and tilt important.
Full Edifier MR3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7"H x 4.9"W x 7.3"D (220 x 125.5 x 185 mm) (active); 220H x 125.5W x 176D mm (passive) |
| Drivers | 3.5" mid-low driver, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (rear knobs and app room compensation) |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Balanced TRS, RCA, Aux, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.91 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons