Short answer: the Dayton Audio M4. It ranks #28 of 58 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $249.98; the Edifier S2000MKIII ranks #29 and costs $594.98, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Edifier S2000MKIII offers: Spinorama’s digitized measurements show unusually deep extension for a powered bookshelf speaker: 40.5Hz at -3dB and 37Hz at -6dB. Its preference score is 3.58 without a subwoofer and 5.34 with one, placing it just above the KRK Classic 5 and Edifier MR4 on the same with-subwoofer measure. It also accepts digital input up to 24-bit/192kHz. Watch for: The Spinorama record is low-quality data digitized from a scanned graph rather than an independent Klippel measurement, so the score carries more uncertainty. Frequency deviation is 4.0dB, predicted in-room smoothness is only 0.107, and the response needs substantial EQ around 1kHz and 3.3kHz to approach neutrality.
What the Dayton Audio M4 offers: Good build quality. Has a subwoofer output for extending the low end. Overall linearity is decent for the price. Avoids sibilance since it’s slightly recessed right in the harsh 4-8kHz region. Watch for: The amplifier is only in the left speaker, so it’s not separate amps in each unit. Bass doesn’t extend very deep, and unlike some rivals it doesn’t use DSP to boost the low end. Sounds noticeably different up close versus at a normal listening distance, with a softer treble near field and a more recessed upper midrange farther away. Limited output headroom - distortion rises sharply above about 93dB, so it’s better suited to near-field or desktop use than as a far-field living-room speaker.
Buy the Dayton Audio M4. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Edifier S2000MKIII and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier S2000MKIII | Dayton Audio M4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $594.98 | $249.98 |
| Ranked | #29 of 58 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 58 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 7.8"W x 10.8"D (342.9 x 198.1 x 274.3 mm) | 5" x 6.5" x 9.5" (127 x 165 x 241 mm) (W x D x H) |
| Frequency Response | 40.5Hz at -3dB; 37Hz at -6dB (Spinorama) | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.58 without subwoofer; 5.34 with subwoofer | - |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | - |
| Outputs | None | - |
| Drivers | 5.5" (140mm) woofer | 4" aluminum woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Output Power | 65w RMS Per Speaker | 75W RMS (150W peak) |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs / 9.4 kg | 6.2 lbs / 2.81 kg (active), 5.1 lbs / 2.31 kg (passive) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 121Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Digital Aux Input | - | Yes (USB-C DAC, up to 192kHz/32-bit) |
| Aux Input | - | Yes (RCA) |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | AC Power cord |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes (20Hz - 200Hz) |
| Discontinued | - | No |
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- Neumann KH80 DSP vs KRK Classic 5
- KRK Classic 5 vs Edifier S1000W
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Dayton Audio M4
- KEF LSX II LT vs Dayton Audio M4
Prices on this page were last checked August 24, 2026 at 6:53 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier S2000MKIII: $594.98 Amazon eBay
Pros: Spinorama’s digitized measurements show unusually deep extension for a powered bookshelf speaker: 40.5Hz at -3dB and 37Hz at -6dB. Its preference score is 3.58 without a subwoofer and 5.34 with one, placing it just above the KRK Classic 5 and Edifier MR4 on the same with-subwoofer measure. It also accepts digital input up to 24-bit/192kHz.
Cons: The Spinorama record is low-quality data digitized from a scanned graph rather than an independent Klippel measurement, so the score carries more uncertainty. Frequency deviation is 4.0dB, predicted in-room smoothness is only 0.107, and the response needs substantial EQ around 1kHz and 3.3kHz to approach neutrality.
Full Edifier S2000MKIII review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 7.8"W x 10.8"D (342.9 x 198.1 x 274.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5" (140mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 40.5Hz at -3dB; 37Hz at -6dB (Spinorama) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Output Power | 65w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | None |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.58 without subwoofer; 5.34 with subwoofer |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs / 9.4 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S2000MKIII sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier S2000MKIII vs Klipsch The Three II sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier R2850DB vs Edifier S2000MKIII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier S3000PRO Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Archimago Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Edifier S2000MKIII Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs KRK Classic 5
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs KEF LSX II LT
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier MR4
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Topping MA4
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier R1280DB
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier R1280T
- See all 40 comparisons
Dayton Audio M4: $249.98 Parts Express eBay
Pros: Good build quality. Has a subwoofer output for extending the low end. Overall linearity is decent for the price. Avoids sibilance since it’s slightly recessed right in the harsh 4-8kHz region.
Cons: The amplifier is only in the left speaker, so it’s not separate amps in each unit. Bass doesn’t extend very deep, and unlike some rivals it doesn’t use DSP to boost the low end. Sounds noticeably different up close versus at a normal listening distance, with a softer treble near field and a more recessed upper midrange farther away. Limited output headroom - distortion rises sharply above about 93dB, so it’s better suited to near-field or desktop use than as a far-field living-room speaker.
Full Dayton Audio M4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes (RCA) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 121Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C DAC, up to 192kHz/32-bit) |
| Dimensions | 5" x 6.5" x 9.5" (127 x 165 x 241 mm) (W x D x H) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 4" aluminum woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 75W RMS (150W peak) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes (20Hz - 200Hz) |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs / 2.81 kg (active), 5.1 lbs / 2.31 kg (passive) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dayton Audio M4 vs KEF LSX II LT
- Dayton Audio M4 vs KRK Classic 5
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Edifier R1280DB
- Dayton Audio M4 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Audioengine HD6
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Yamaha HS5
- See all 14 comparisons