Short answer: the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. It ranks #53 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $658. The Edifier MR5 ranks #78, rated 3.3/5, at $349.99, $308.01 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Focal Alpha 50 EVO is the better-sounding choice. A 5 inch studio monitor with XLR, TRS and RCA inputs and rear shelving controls for placement. The tradeoff: Basic shelving controls are less flexible than parametric room correction.
Why pick the Edifier MR5: A three way desktop monitor pair with a dedicated midrange, LDAC Bluetooth, balanced inputs, app EQ and a headphone jack. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Focal Alpha 50 EVO lacks. The tradeoff: Erin’s CTA-2034 data shows upper-midrange and treble irregularities, while off-axis response narrows more quickly than ideal above about 2-3kHz.
Buy the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $308.01 saving on the Edifier MR5 is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 50 EVO | Edifier MR5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $658 per pair | $349.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #53 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #78 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) | 6.3”W x 10.4”H x 11”D (159 x 264 x 280 mm) (active); 159W x 264H x 257D mm (passive) |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 46Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each | 22.9 lbs (10.38 kg) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 5-inch woofer + 3.75-inch midrange + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| App | No | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (app EQ and rear high/low controls) |
| Amplifier Power | 60w Per Speaker | 110W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.04 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.70 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | - | 3.5mm headphone |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 6.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | LDAC, SBC |
| Maximum SPL | - | 101dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | - | 85dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Measurement Source | - | Erin’s Audio Corner |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
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