Short answer: the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus for better sound quality, the Edifier MR4 for the lower price. The Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus ranks #12 of 42 powered bookshelf speakers at $499.99. The Edifier MR4 ranks #23 at $169.99, $330 cheaper.
What the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus offers: Genuinely neutral tonal balance in a small desktop-class powered speaker - a rarity in this size and price range, where the reviewer says most competitors have a scooped mid-range, one-note bass. Watch for: An 8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz sharply limits bass below that point - F3 measures 92Hz and F10 53Hz, so kick drum fundamentals and true low end need a subwoofer.
On the Edifier MR4 side: More balanced than the R1280DB. Set against that: No Bluetooth unlike other Edifier models.
Buy the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Edifier MR4 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus | Edifier MR4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | $169.99 |
| Ranked | #12 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #23 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 4" aluminum cone woofer, 4" long-throw passive radiator, 1" soft dome tweeter | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| Output Power | 120W total (Class D) | 42w RMS Per Speaker |
| Inputs | Bluetooth (aptX HD), USB (24-bit/96kHz), Toslink Optical (24-bit/96kHz), 3.5mm Analog | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux |
| Dimensions | 8.5"H x 5.5"W x 6"D | 9"H x 5.5"W x 7.6"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) |
| Weight | 7 lbs each | 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 92Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 109Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 58Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DSP | Yes (8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz) | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Outputs | - | Headphone |
| App | - | No |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus: $499.99 Amazon
Pros: Genuinely neutral tonal balance in a small desktop-class powered speaker - a rarity in this size and price range, where the reviewer says most competitors have a scooped mid-range, one-note bass, and piercing V-shaped highs. Flexible mounting: flip the cabinet orientation to angle the tweeter up for flat-desktop placement or level for stand-mount ear height. Subwoofer output with auto-sense, so it engages automatically when a sub is connected. Wide input selection - Bluetooth aptX HD, USB (24-bit/96kHz), Toslink, and 3.5mm analog. Distortion stays reasonable (below 3%) up to about 88dB, and multitone distortion at max output (96dB) is the only real weak point.
Cons: An 8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz sharply limits bass below that point - F3 measures 92Hz and F10 53Hz, so kick drum fundamentals and true low end need a subwoofer. Very sensitive to ear height relative to the tweeter: sitting even slightly above the tweeter axis scoops out the 2-4kHz upper mid-range. Multitone distortion at maximum output (96dB) is high enough to add noticeable vocal graininess - stick closer to 88dB for clean output. The reviewer’s only real gripe is wishing it extended lower, which he acknowledges is an unreasonable ask for a speaker this size.
Full Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 92Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| DSP | Yes (8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz) |
| Dimensions | 8.5"H x 5.5"W x 6"D |
| Drivers | 4" aluminum cone woofer, 4" long-throw passive radiator, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Inputs | Bluetooth (aptX HD), USB (24-bit/96kHz), Toslink Optical (24-bit/96kHz), 3.5mm Analog |
| Output Power | 120W total (Class D) |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 7 lbs each |
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- Links
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Edifier MR4: $169.99 Amazon
Pros: More balanced than the R1280DB. The value king. Impressively deep, flat bass down to 70Hz for such a small speaker, and its waveguide gives it unusually wide, consistent horizontal directivity for the price. Balanced XLR/TRS inputs are rare this cheap.
Cons: No Bluetooth unlike other Edifier models. Distortion climbs sharply above 86dB SPL, breaking into audible squealing near 96dB, and there’s a dip in the lower treble that needs a bit of EQ or the rear HF control to smooth out. Playback volume is limited with bass-heavy material - pushing it loud brings audible clicking/static.
Full Edifier MR4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 109Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 7.6"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements
- Audio Science Review Measurements
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