Short answer: the M-Audio BX4 D3. It ranks #50 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $149; the Edifier R1700BT ranks #59, rated 3.2/5, and costs $219.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the M-Audio BX4 D3: Balanced TRS, RCA and front auxiliary/headphone connections, plus tone controls, make this a flexible inexpensive desktop pair. Watch for: A rising response of about 0.62dB per octave and listening-window deviation of 0.546 indicate bright, locally uneven reproduction.
The case for the Edifier R1700BT: A compact powered pair with analog and Bluetooth connectivity for uncomplicated desktop listening. The catch: Listening impressions suggest a bass-and-treble-forward balance rather than strict neutrality.
Buy the M-Audio BX4 D3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Edifier R1700BT and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX4 D3 | Edifier R1700BT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 per pair | $219.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #50 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #59 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered stereo pair, rear-ported | - |
| Drivers | 1" dome tweeter, 4.5" Kevlar woofer | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| Dimensions | 8.9H x 6.1W x 6.9D in | 10"H x 6.1"W x 8.4"D (254 x 154.9 x 213.4 mm) |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)/pair | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 120W peak system | 66w RMS Per Speaker |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux; headphone output | Bluetooth, RCA Input |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.29 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.03 | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, 5.1 |
| Frequency Response | 69Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Outputs | - | None |
| App | - | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| EQ | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
M-Audio BX4 D3: $149 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Balanced TRS, RCA and front auxiliary/headphone connections, plus tone controls, make this a flexible inexpensive desktop pair. The third-party measurement gives scores of 3.29 standalone and 6.03 with an ideal subwoofer, with -3dB bass estimated around 67Hz.
Cons: A rising response of about 0.62dB per octave and listening-window deviation of 0.546 indicate bright, locally uneven reproduction. The compact system suits moderate nearfield use; the preference estimate does not verify high-level headroom.
Full M-Audio BX4 D3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 120W peak system |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.9H x 6.1W x 6.9D in |
| Drivers | 1" dome tweeter, 4.5" Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered stereo pair, rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 69Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux; headphone output |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.29 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.03 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)/pair |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Edifier R1700BT: $219.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A compact powered pair with analog and Bluetooth connectivity for uncomplicated desktop listening. Its self-contained design avoids the need for a separate amplifier.
Cons: Listening impressions suggest a bass-and-treble-forward balance rather than strict neutrality. Its analog and Bluetooth connections are less convenient for sources that require optical or HDMI input.
Full Edifier R1700BT review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 66w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10"H x 6.1"W x 8.4"D (254 x 154.9 x 213.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA Input |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | None |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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