Short answer: the KRK Classic 5. It ranks #22 of 42 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $280; the Edifier S2000MKIII ranks #29 and costs $594.98, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the KRK Classic 5 side: Good soundstage. Set against that: More hifi than studio monitors.
What the Edifier S2000MKIII offers: High resolution digital input up to 192khz/24bit. Watch for: No independent measurements exist - reviews are limited to informal YouTube sound-comparison videos.
Buy the KRK Classic 5. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Edifier S2000MKIII and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| KRK Classic 5 | Edifier S2000MKIII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $280 | $594.98 |
| Ranked | #22 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #29 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Dimensions | 9.7"H x 7.4"W x 11.2"D (246.4 x 188 x 284.5 mm) | 13.5"H x 7.8"W x 10.8"D (342.9 x 198.1 x 274.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-30KHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz-40KHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, TRS, XLR | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs / 5.87 kg | 20.7 lbs / 9.4 kg |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 5.5" (140mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker | 65w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | - | None |
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The Two Speakers In Full
KRK Classic 5: $280 Amazon
Pros: Good soundstage
Cons: More hifi than studio monitors. Elevated, splashy highs above 4kHz stem from port/woofer resonance glitches, plus directivity error at the crossover dips the upper midrange. Distortion exceeds 100% below 50Hz, and the lack of a waveguide narrows the tweeter’s beam sharply, so toe-in and listening position matter a lot. Not recommended out of the box, but the reviewer said EQ correction turns it into a capable, high-power monitor.
Full KRK Classic 5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9.7"H x 7.4"W x 11.2"D (246.4 x 188 x 284.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-30KHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, TRS, XLR |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs / 5.87 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S2000MKIII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier S3000PRO Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review JBL 305P MKII vs KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 vs KRK Rokit 5 RP5G4 sound.DEMO
- Reddit Search for KRK Classic 5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- KRK Classic 5 vs Edifier MR4
- KRK Classic 5 vs KEF LSX II LT
- KRK Classic 5 vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- KRK Classic 5 vs Edifier R1280DB
- KRK Classic 5 vs JBL 705P
- KRK Classic 5 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- KRK Classic 5 vs Edifier R1280T
- KRK Classic 5 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- See all 26 comparisons
Edifier S2000MKIII: $594.98 Amazon
Pros: High resolution digital input up to 192khz/24bit
Cons: No independent measurements exist - reviews are limited to informal YouTube sound-comparison videos. As one of Edifier’s warmer-tuned lifestyle HiFi speakers, it isn’t voiced for the flat, neutral response of a measurement-verified monitor.
Full Edifier S2000MKIII review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 7.8"W x 10.8"D (342.9 x 198.1 x 274.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5" (140mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-40KHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Output Power | 65w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | None |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs / 9.4 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S2000MKIII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier S2000MKIII vs Klipsch The Three II sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier R2850DB vs Edifier S2000MKIII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier S3000PRO Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Reddit Search for Edifier S2000MKIII Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier S1000W
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier R1280T
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier S1000MKII
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier R1280DB
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Klipsch The Fives
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Edifier S2000MKIII vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- See all 28 comparisons