Short answer: the M-Audio BX8 D3. It ranks #50 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $129; the Edifier R2850DB ranks #61, rated 3.8/5, and costs $499.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the M-Audio BX8 D3: Measured -3dB extension of 48.3Hz provides useful musical bass, with a 6.66 ideal-subwoofer score. The tradeoff: A 3.9dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and downward tonal tilt suggest a darker, less even presentation than the leaders.
What the Edifier R2850DB does well: A large self-powered three-way pair with digital and analog source switching and proper left/right separation. The tradeoff: The big cabinets need real stand or furniture space, and their bass is slightly boomy.
Buy the M-Audio BX8 D3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Edifier R2850DB and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
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Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX8 D3 | Edifier R2850DB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $258 per pair | $499.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #50 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #61 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, rear-ported MDF | - |
| Drivers | 1.25" silk-dome tweeter, 8" Kevlar woofer | 8" (203mm) woofer |
| Dimensions | 15.1H x 9.8W x 11.9D in | 18.1"H x 10.1"W x 12.4"D (459.7 x 256.5 x 315 mm) |
| Weight | 23.1 lbs (10.5 kg) each | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 150W each (80W LF, 70W HF) | 75w RMS Per Speaker |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Country | United States (design) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.65 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.66 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, 5.1 |
| Frequency Response | 37Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 42Hz-20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | - | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| EQ | - | No |
| DSP | - | 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 BX8 D3: $258 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Measured -3dB extension of 48.3Hz provides useful musical bass, with a 6.66 ideal-subwoofer score. The large woofer and analog connections suit a straightforward studio setup without requiring a streaming ecosystem.
Cons: A 3.9dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and downward tonal tilt suggest a darker, less even presentation than the leaders. The 8-inch driver and amplifier rating are not proof of deeper or cleaner bass than smaller competitors. Room controls cannot fully correct frequency-dependent directivity.
Full M-Audio BX8 D3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 150W each (80W LF, 70W HF) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United States (design) |
| Dimensions | 15.1H x 9.8W x 11.9D in |
| Drivers | 1.25" silk-dome tweeter, 8" Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, rear-ported MDF |
| Frequency Response | 37Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.65 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.66 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 23.1 lbs (10.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Edifier R2850DB: $499.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A large self-powered three-way pair with digital and analog source switching and proper left/right separation. Consumer Reports found accurate, detailed sound with strong, deep bass, a broad enough soundfield and enough clean output for a large room. It is a compelling simple system for TV, desktop or living-room music without buying a separate amplifier.
Cons: The big cabinets need real stand or furniture space, and their bass is slightly boomy. Consumer Reports also hears mildly grainy/hazy mids, subdued treble and a two-dimensional image despite the two cabinets. As an integrated system it is less upgradeable than separate passive speakers and an amplifier.
Full Edifier R2850DB review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 75w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 18.1"H x 10.1"W x 12.4"D (459.7 x 256.5 x 315 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz-20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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