Short answer: the Focal Alpha 50 EVO for better sound quality, the Edifier MR4 for the lower price. The Focal Alpha 50 EVO ranks #8 of 36 powered bookshelf speakers at $311. The Edifier MR4 ranks #27 at $154.31, $156.69 cheaper.
What the Focal Alpha 50 EVO offers: More neutral than the great HS5 Watch for: Its documented strengths make it a credible option in this class.
What the Edifier MR4 offers: More balanced than the R1280DB. Watch for: No Bluetooth unlike other Edifier models.
Buy the Focal Alpha 50 EVO if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Edifier MR4 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Edifier MR4. It ranks near the bottom of the 36 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 50 EVO | Edifier MR4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $311.00 | $154.31 |
| Ranked | #8 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #27 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 12.2"H x 9"W x 9.4"D (309.9 x 228.6 x 238.8 mm) | 9"H x 5.5"W x 7.6"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg each | 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| Output Power | 60w Per Speaker | 42w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | - | Headphone |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 109Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 58Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | - | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- KRK Classic 5 vs Edifier R1700BT
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The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Alpha 50 EVO: $311.00 Amazon
Pros: More neutral than the great HS5
Full Focal Alpha 50 EVO review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 12.2"H x 9"W x 9.4"D (309.9 x 228.6 x 238.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA |
| Output Power | 60w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review APS Klasik 2020 vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Eve Audio SC205 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Kali Audio LP-6 V2 (2nd Wave) vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO
- Reddit Search for Focal Alpha 50 EVO Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs JBL 305P MKII
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Kali LP-UNF
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Adam Audio T5V
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Neumann KH80 DSP
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Edifier MR4: $154.31 Amazon
Pros: More balanced than the R1280DB. The value king. Impressively deep, flat bass down to 70Hz for such a small speaker, and its waveguide gives it unusually wide, consistent horizontal directivity for the price. Balanced XLR/TRS inputs are rare this cheap.
Cons: No Bluetooth unlike other Edifier models. Distortion climbs sharply above 86dB SPL, breaking into audible squealing near 96dB, and there’s a dip in the lower treble that needs a bit of EQ or the rear HF control to smooth out. Playback volume is limited with bass-heavy material - pushing it loud brings audible clicking/static.
Full Edifier MR4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 109Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 7.6"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1280DBs sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1700BT sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs iLoud Micro Monitor sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E4.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Mackie CR4-X sound.DEMO
- Reddit Search for Edifier MR4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons