Short answer: the Mackie MR524. It ranks #32 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $379.98; the Edifier S2000MKIII ranks #69, rated 3.5/5, and costs $594.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the Edifier S2000MKIII: The available digitized response suggests substantial bass reach, with a -3dB estimate around 41Hz. The catch: The 4.0dB midrange span and uneven predicted room response suggest meaningful coloration.
The Mackie MR524 is the more accurate choice. The available third-party data suggests a useful combination of bass reach and midrange balance: -3dB around 46Hz, a 2.0dB midrange span, and preference estimates of 5.11 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.11 against 4.24 for the Edifier S2000MKIII. The tradeoff: The measured response trends upward toward the treble by about 0.47dB per octave, which can lend a brighter balance.
Buy the Mackie MR524. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Edifier S2000MKIII and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier S2000MKIII | Mackie MR524 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $594.99 per pair | $379.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #69 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #32 of 100 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) | 11.1” x 7.1” x 8.7” (281 x 180 x 221 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Frequency Response | 40.5Hz at -3dB; 37Hz at -6dB (Spinorama) | 45Hz-20kHz |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.24 | 5.11 |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | Balanced XLR, balanced TRS, RCA |
| Outputs | None | - |
| Drivers | 5.5” (140mm) woofer | 5-inch polypropylene woofer; 1-inch silk-dome tweeter |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX HD | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 65w RMS Per Speaker | 50W bi-amplified per speaker |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.99 | 7.06 |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| 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 | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 46.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | approximately 38Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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: $594.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the Edifier S2000 Pro (ranked higher, rated 3.7/5).
Pros: The available digitized response suggests substantial bass reach, with a -3dB estimate around 41Hz. Scores are 4.24 standalone and 5.99 with an ideal subwoofer. Digital inputs and a self-contained stereo-pair format are convenient for general music listening. Digital input handles high-resolution audio up to 192kHz/24-bit.
Cons: The 4.0dB midrange span and uneven predicted room response suggest meaningful coloration. Favorable modeled EQ results should not be treated as the sound of the stock speaker or as proof that all dispersion issues are correctable.
Full Edifier S2000MKIII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 65w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX HD |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | None |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.99 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- 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)
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Mackie MR524: $379.98 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Mackie MR624 (larger bookshelf, estimated 4/5) and the Mackie MR824 (larger bookshelf, estimated 4/5).
Pros: The available third-party data suggests a useful combination of bass reach and midrange balance: -3dB around 46Hz, a 2.0dB midrange span, and preference estimates of 5.11 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer. Balanced inputs, boundary compensation and treble trim are practical studio features. Measured bass extension of 46.2Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured response trends upward toward the treble by about 0.47dB per octave, which can lend a brighter balance. Boundary compensation and treble trim help with setup but are less flexible than parametric correction.
Full Mackie MR524 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W bi-amplified per speaker |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 38Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.1” x 7.1” x 8.7” (281 x 180 x 221 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 5-inch polypropylene woofer; 1-inch silk-dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-20kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced TRS, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons