Short answer: the Kali Audio IN-5. It ranks #20 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $698. The Edifier MR5 ranks #52, rated 3.3/5, at $329, $369 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Kali Audio IN-5 does well: The active three-way layout separates bass duties from the coaxial mid/tweeter, giving flexible listening geometry. Watch for: Local listening-window irregularities remain despite the small overall midrange span.
The case for the Edifier MR5: Erin’s Audio Corner measured useful bass for a compact 5-inch monitor, with F3 around 51Hz. The catch: 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 $369 you would save on the Edifier MR5 does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio IN-5 | Edifier MR5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $698 per pair | $329.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #20 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #52 of 67 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, 6.0 |
| 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 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Kali Audio IN-5:
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Genelec 8331A
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Genelec 8030C vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Reflector Audio Square Two
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Kali Audio IN-5: $698 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: The active three-way layout separates bass duties from the coaxial mid/tweeter, giving flexible listening geometry. Erin’s data shows a 1.8dB midrange response span and -3dB bass around 45Hz, with scores of 5.12 standalone and 7.13 with an ideal subwoofer. Placement switches and balanced inputs help integrate it into a studio; moderate-level distortion is well controlled in the existing review. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Local listening-window irregularities remain despite the small overall midrange span. The review reports midrange distortion rising above 3% at 96dB and a brighter perceived balance at closer distances. Limiting makes it unsuitable for demanding farfield playback. Coaxial construction improves geometry but does not remove response errors or guarantee unlimited output.
Full Kali Audio IN-5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W LF + 40W mid + 40W HF |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Approximately 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15” x 8.1” x 11.1” (382 x 206 x 282 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter coaxial with 4” midrange; 5” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 25kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.12 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 18.6 lbs (8.43 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Kali Audio SM-5
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs HEDD Type 05 A-CORE
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Sigberg Audio SBS.1
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Mackie MR524
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- See all 61 comparisons
Edifier MR5: $329.00 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Erin’s Audio Corner measured useful bass for a compact 5-inch monitor, with F3 around 51Hz. The three-way active design adds a dedicated 3.75-inch midrange, and the 110W RMS system, app EQ, room-compensation controls, LDAC, balanced XLR/TRS inputs, and front headphone output make it unusually well equipped at $329 per pair. Measured bass extension of 51Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Erin’s CTA-2034 data shows upper-midrange and treble irregularities, while off-axis response narrows more quickly than ideal above about 2–3kHz. Bass output is level-limited below about 70Hz and distortion/compression rise at higher levels, so it suits moderate nearfield use better than loud mid-field playback.
Full Edifier MR5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 110W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 6.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3”W x 10.4”H x 11”D (159 x 264 x 280 mm) (active); 159W x 264H x 257D mm (passive) |
| Drivers | 5-inch woofer + 3.75-inch midrange + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ and rear high/low controls) |
| Frequency Response | 46Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Measurement Source | Erin’s Audio Corner |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.38 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons