Short answer: the Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 for better sound quality, the Edifier MR4 for the lower price. The Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 ranks #18 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.2/5, at $18,043.20. The Edifier MR4 ranks #49, rated 3.5/5, at $138.99, $17,904.21 cheaper.
Why pick the Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2: The measured speaker-and-subwoofer system has a 1.7dB midrange response span and a 7.51 ideal-subwoofer preference score, supporting useful tonal accuracy above the bass region. The catch: The measured system explicitly includes a subwoofer: its 6.56 full-system score and bass extension must not be attributed to the bookshelf speaker alone.
What the Edifier MR4 does well: Erin’s data supports a useful budget desktop monitor: a 3.0dB midrange span, little overall on-axis tilt, and preference scores of 3.25 standalone and 6.00 with an ideal subwoofer. Watch for: Bass reaches -3dB around 79Hz, so deep extension should not be inferred from the overall flat trend.
Buy the Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Edifier MR4 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 | Edifier MR4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $18,043.20 for the full system (2 speakers + 2 dedicated subwoofers, built to order) | $138.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #18 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #49 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | sealed | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 24Hz (measured, spinorama.org, with companion subwoofer) | 79Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 16.1”H x 7.5”W x 9.1”D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) | 9”H x 5.5”W x 7.6”D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) |
| Drivers | 5.5” midbass, 5.5” coaxial mid/tweeter with 1” silk dome | 4” (102mm) woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux |
| Amplifier Power | 350W per speaker | 42W RMS total (21W per speaker) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) | Yes (Monitor and Music modes) |
| DSP | Yes | - |
| Country | Norway | - |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | - |
| Maximum SPL | 116dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.56 | 3.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.51 | 6.00 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 26Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB, with subwoofers) (Manufacturer specified) | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Outputs | - | Headphone |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | - | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2:
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- JBL 305P MKII vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- KEF LSX II LT vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2: $18,043.20 for the full system (2 speakers + 2 dedicated subwoofers, built to order) Sigberg Audio eBay
Older model: the Sigberg Audio SBS.1 (ranked lower, rated 4.1/5).
Pros: The measured speaker-and-subwoofer system has a 1.7dB midrange response span and a 7.51 ideal-subwoofer preference score, supporting useful tonal accuracy above the bass region. The measured system reaches -3dB around 34Hz. Onboard parametric EQ and dedicated amplification provide flexible integration for a complete high-performance setup. Measured bass extension of 24Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured system explicitly includes a subwoofer: its 6.56 full-system score and bass extension must not be attributed to the bookshelf speaker alone. It is not directly equivalent to the standalone-monitor tests around it. The complete system is expensive and occupies more space than the main speakers suggest; the score alone does not prove superior output or room performance.
Full Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 350W per speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 24Hz (measured, spinorama.org, with companion subwoofer) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Country | Norway |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 16.1”H x 7.5”W x 9.1”D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5” midbass, 5.5” coaxial mid/tweeter with 1” silk dome |
| EQ | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 26Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB, with subwoofers) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Maximum SPL | 116dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.51 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs JBL 305P MKII
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs KEF LSX II LT
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Adam Audio T5V
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Kali LP-UNF
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Yamaha HS5
- See all 12 comparisons
Edifier MR4: $138.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s data supports a useful budget desktop monitor: a 3.0dB midrange span, little overall on-axis tilt, and preference scores of 3.25 standalone and 6.00 with an ideal subwoofer. Balanced TRS inputs and tone controls are practical at its price, and its response is more balanced than the measured R1280T. Measured bass extension of 79Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 78dB.
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB around 79Hz, so deep extension should not be inferred from the overall flat trend. Listening-window response still has local irregularities, including lower-treble unevenness. The existing review reports rapidly increasing distortion and audible distress when pushed well above moderate desktop levels. No Bluetooth, and adding a subwoofer does not cure every output or tonal limitation.
Full Edifier MR4 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 42W RMS total (21W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 79Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9”H x 5.5”W x 7.6”D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Monitor and Music modes) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.00 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1280DBs sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1700BT sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs iLoud Micro Monitor sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E4.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Mackie CR4-X sound.DEMO
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget – 2026 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Are the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro the Best Studio Monitor Speakers for your Home Studio?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons