Short answer: the Palmer STUDIMON 5. It ranks #44 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $350; the Edifier S1000MKII ranks #56, rated 3.3/5, and costs $499.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Palmer STUDIMON 5 does well: The available third-party measurements predict 3.48 standalone and 6.37 with an ideal subwoofer. The tradeoff: The trace spans 4.0dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and estimates -3dB bass around 80Hz, with local irregularities despite the level overall trend.
What the Edifier S1000MKII does well: A self-powered stereo pair with optical, coaxial and analog inputs, plus high-resolution digital support, makes source switching unusually simple. The catch: High-resolution input support is not a guarantee of perfect tuning, and the fixed internal amplification prevents the gradual upgrades possible with separates.
Buy the Palmer STUDIMON 5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Edifier S1000MKII and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Palmer STUDIMON 5 | Edifier S1000MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 per pair | $499.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #44 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #56 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, rear-ported | - |
| Drivers | 0.75” soft-dome tweeter, 5” woofer | 5.5” (140mm) woofer |
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 7.5W x 8.5D in | 13.6”H x 7.6”W x 11.6”D (345.4 x 193 x 294.6 mm) |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) each | 37 lbs (16.8 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 60W each (30W LF, 30W HF) | 60w RMS Per Speaker |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR and 1/4” TRS | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Country | Germany (design) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.48 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.37 | - |
| 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 |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Outputs | - | None |
| App | - | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX HD |
| EQ | - | No |
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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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Palmer STUDIMON 5: $350 per pair Thomann eBay
Pros: The available third-party measurements predict 3.48 standalone and 6.37 with an ideal subwoofer. Balanced inputs and a conventional compact monitor cabinet make it straightforward to use with studio equipment. The broad response trend is approximately level rather than strongly bright or dark.
Cons: The trace spans 4.0dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and estimates -3dB bass around 80Hz, with local irregularities despite the level overall trend. There are no room-EQ controls to address broad placement errors, and the available score does not establish clean output.
Full Palmer STUDIMON 5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W each (30W LF, 30W HF) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | Germany (design) |
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 7.5W x 8.5D in |
| Drivers | 0.75” soft-dome tweeter, 5” woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR and 1/4” TRS |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.48 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.37 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
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Edifier S1000MKII: $499.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A self-powered stereo pair with optical, coaxial and analog inputs, plus high-resolution digital support, makes source switching unusually simple. Consumer Reports rates its sound accurate and detailed, so it is a strong one-box alternative to separate amplifier-and-speaker systems for nearfield or small-room listening.
Cons: High-resolution input support is not a guarantee of perfect tuning, and the fixed internal amplification prevents the gradual upgrades possible with separates. These are mains-powered speakers rather than portable wireless speakers, and their size and left/right cabling need a planned desktop or stand setup. No independent measurements exist; reviews are limited to informal listening comparisons.
Full Edifier S1000MKII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 13.6”H x 7.6”W x 11.6”D (345.4 x 193 x 294.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5” (140mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | None |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 37 lbs (16.8 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
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