Short answer: the JBL 305P MKII. It ranks #18 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $319; the Edifier MR5 ranks #78, rated 3.3/5, and costs $349.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The JBL 305P MKII is the better-sounding choice. Budget studio monitors with balanced sound and wide coverage that keeps the stereo image stable across a desk. The tradeoff: The 3.3dB midrange span and rising response show it is not perfectly neutral.
What the Edifier MR5 does well: 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 JBL 305P MKII lacks. Watch for: 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 JBL 305P MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Edifier MR5 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 305P MKII | Edifier MR5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.00 per pair | $349.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #18 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #78 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7.3”W x 9.1”D (297.2 x 185.4 x 231.1 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 | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 46Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 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 | 81w Per Speaker | 110W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.38 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.52 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | 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) |
| Measurement Source | - | Erin’s Audio Corner |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
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