Short answer: the Kali Audio IN-5. It ranks #27 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $898. The Edifier MR5 ranks #78, rated 3.3/5, at $349.99, $548.01 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Kali Audio IN-5 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. An affordable three way coaxial studio monitor with an even midrange, good bass depth and placement switches. Its bass reaches about 45Hz before falling 3dB, against 51Hz for the Edifier MR5. Watch for: Local listening-window irregularities remain despite the small overall midrange span.
The case for 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 Kali Audio IN-5 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 Kali Audio IN-5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $548.01 you would save on the Edifier MR5 does not close the gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio IN-5 | Edifier MR5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $898 per pair | $349.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #27 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #78 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Approximately 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter coaxial with 4” midrange; 5” woofer | 5-inch woofer + 3.75-inch midrange + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| Amplifier Power | 80W LF + 40W mid + 40W HF | 110W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.12 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 | - |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| 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 |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 15” x 8.1” x 11.1” (382 x 206 x 282 mm) (H x W x D) | 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 | 39Hz - 25kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 46Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 18.6 lbs (8.43 kg) each | 22.9 lbs (10.38 kg) |
| Outputs | - | 3.5mm headphone |
| App | - | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 6.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | LDAC, SBC |
| EQ | - | Yes (app EQ and rear high/low controls) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 101dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Sensitivity | - | 85dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Measurement Source | - | Erin’s Audio Corner |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
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