Short answer: the Focal Alpha 50 EVO for better sound quality, the Edifier MR4 for the lower price. The Focal Alpha 50 EVO ranks #53 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 3.8/5, at $658. The Edifier MR4 ranks #72, rated 3.5/5, at $169.99, $488.01 cheaper.
Why pick the Focal Alpha 50 EVO: A 5 inch studio monitor with XLR, TRS and RCA inputs and rear shelving controls for placement. Watch for: Basic shelving controls are less flexible than parametric room correction.
The Edifier MR4 is the more accurate choice. A budget desktop monitor pair with balanced TRS inputs, tone controls and a front headphone jack. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 3.25 against 1.04 for the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Focal Alpha 50 EVO lacks. Watch for: Bass reaches -3dB around 79Hz, so deep extension should not be inferred from the overall flat trend.
Buy the Focal Alpha 50 EVO if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Edifier MR4 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Close enough not to matter: preference score with a subwoofer (5.7 vs 6.0).
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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
| Focal Alpha 50 EVO | Edifier MR4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $658 per pair | $169.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #53 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #72 of 108 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, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Monitor and Music modes) |
| Amplifier Power | 60w Per Speaker | 42W RMS total (21W per speaker) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.04 | 3.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.70 | 6.00 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Outputs | - | Headphone |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 79Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | - | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by DSAUDIO.review.
- Edifier MR4: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner, Audio Science Review and DSAUDIO.review.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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