Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers Review: The Ultimate Audio Upgrade on a Budget?

For years, I relied on the stock speakers that came with my desktop computer. They were, to put it mildly, functional. They made noise when they were supposed to, but that’s where the praise ended. Music sounded thin and lifeless, movie dialogue was often muddy, and the immersion I craved during gaming sessions was non-existent. It was a constant, low-level frustration. I knew I was missing out on the rich soundscapes creators intended, but the thought of delving into the complex world of audiophile equipment—with its separate amplifiers, passive speakers, and dizzying price tags—was overwhelming. I just wanted something that looked good, was easy to set up, and delivered sound that could genuinely move me without requiring a second mortgage. This search for the perfect balance of quality, convenience, and value is what led me to powered bookshelf speakers, and specifically, to this in-depth review.

What to Consider Before Buying Bookshelf Speakers

A set of bookshelf speakers is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for transforming any small to medium-sized room into a rich, immersive listening environment. They solve the universal problem of subpar audio from integrated speakers in TVs, computers, and all-in-one record players. The main benefits are a massive leap in audio fidelity, stereo separation that creates a wide soundstage, and a compact form factor that delivers powerful sound without dominating your living space. They bridge the gap between tinny, cheap speakers and overly complex, room-filling Hi-Fi systems, offering a perfect blend of performance and practicality that can dramatically enhance your daily listening experience.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone setting up a dedicated listening space, upgrading their home office or gaming rig, or pairing a quality turntable with speakers that can do their vinyl collection justice. They value both aesthetics and performance and want a simple, all-in-one (active speaker) solution. Conversely, these might not be the best fit for those who crave earth-shaking, subterranean bass for home theatre systems, as they would be better served by a system with a dedicated subwoofer. Similarly, users looking to build a whole-home, wirelessly synchronized audio network might find dedicated smart speaker ecosystems from brands like Sonos more suitable for their specific needs.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Measure your desk, shelf, or media console carefully. The Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers have dimensions of 44.6 x 30.7 x 19.3 cm. Ensure you have enough clearance, especially for the right-side speaker which houses the controls and requires access. Also, consider the slight upward angle of the speaker face, which is designed to direct sound towards your ears in a near-field setup—a brilliant design choice that can be affected by placement.
• Performance & Power: Don’t just look at the total wattage. The 66W RMS (Root Mean Square) rating of these speakers indicates continuous, real-world power, not just a peak number. The 4-inch woofer and 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter combination is key to its balanced sound profile. A frequency response starting around 50 Hz suggests a solid bass presence for its size, though it won’t dip into the lowest sub-bass frequencies.
• Materials & Durability: The enclosure material is critical for sound quality. The high-quality MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard) used in the Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers is a huge advantage over the cheap plastic found in many competitors. MDF is dense and acoustically inert, which means it resists vibration and resonance, leading to a cleaner, more accurate sound. The finish, while a vinyl effect, is well-executed and durable.
• Ease of Use & Connectivity: Consider how you’ll be connecting your devices. These speakers offer fantastic flexibility with two separate RCA inputs (allowing you to connect two wired devices, like a PC and a turntable, simultaneously) and Bluetooth for wireless streaming. The inclusion of a remote and side-panel EQ knobs for bass and treble adjustment puts you in complete control of your audio experience right out of the box.

This knowledge provides a solid foundation for making an informed decision, ensuring you get the most out of your audio investment.

While the Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing a Modern Classic

Unboxing the Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers was a genuinely pleasant surprise. In a market saturated with flimsy plastic, the immediate heft of the box was the first sign of quality. At 6.6 kilograms, these speakers feel substantial and well-built. Lifting them out, the smooth, clean white finish paired with the classic walnut-effect side panels immediately caught my eye. They strike a perfect balance between modern minimalism and vintage warmth, looking far more premium than their price tag suggests. One user aptly described them as having a “classic look,” and I couldn’t agree more—they complement a workspace or living room without screaming for attention.

Setup was incredibly straightforward. As active speakers, there’s no need for a separate amplifier. You simply plug the right (active) speaker into the wall, connect the left (passive) speaker to the right one with the included generous-length cable, and you’re ready to connect your sources. All necessary cables (RCA to RCA and RCA to 3.5mm) are in the box, which is a thoughtful touch. The controls—three recessed knobs for treble, bass, and volume/input selection—are neatly tucked into the side of the right speaker, offering a satisfyingly tactile experience. It’s an elegant design that feels both intuitive and robust, making it easy to explore the full range of their capabilities from the moment you plug them in.

Performance Deep Dive: How Do They Really Sound?

A speaker’s true worth is only revealed when the music starts playing. For the Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers, this is where they transition from a great value proposition to an absolute giant-killer in their category. We put them through their paces across a wide range of genres, from the intricate acoustic guitars of folk music to the complex electronic layers of synth-wave and the impactful dialogue of modern cinema. In every scenario, they performed with a poise and confidence that consistently defied our expectations.

Audio Performance: Clarity, Depth, and That Surprising Bass

The heart of the R1700BT’s sound is its brilliant clarity. The 0.75-inch “Eagle Eye” silk dome tweeters render high frequencies with a crispness that brings cymbals, strings, and vocal sibilance to life without ever sounding harsh or fatiguing. This was immediately evident when listening to vocal-centric tracks; as one user noted, “The vocals is a big thing a notice the most.” We found this to be true—singers felt present and centered in the mix, with every nuance and breath beautifully articulated. This clarity is a direct result of the built-in Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and Dynamic Range Control (DRC), which prevent distortion even at high volumes. We pushed the volume dial, and as another user humorously put it, they “go loud enough to cause pain with very little distortion.”

The 4-inch woofer, meanwhile, handles the mids and bass with remarkable agility. The midrange is warm and full, giving instruments like guitars and pianos a realistic body and weight. This is a significant step up from competitors that often have a scooped, V-shaped sound signature. But the real story is the bass. For a 4-inch driver in a compact enclosure, the low-end response is punchy, tight, and surprisingly deep. A front-facing bass reflex port helps project this low-end energy forward, making placement easier. While some users understandably wished for more sub-bass rumble, many, like one who was “debating on getting the BTS version for a sub but glad I didn’t,” found the bass to be more than sufficient. We agree; for music and gaming, the bass is satisfying and well-integrated, providing a solid foundation without becoming boomy or muddy. It’s a sound profile that reveals new details in familiar songs, a sentiment echoed by a self-proclaimed “non-audiophile” who was “notice[ing] previously unheard notes in my most loved songs.”

Design and Build Quality: A Classic Look That Defies Its Price Tag

The physical presence of the Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers is as impressive as their sonic output. The decision to use high-quality MDF for the enclosures is a cornerstone of their performance. This dense wood composite minimizes cabinet vibrations, ensuring that the sound you hear is from the drivers, not from a rattling box. This solid construction gives them a satisfying weight and a durable feel, which users consistently praise, noting they “have a really nice weight to them… Solid and durable.”

Aesthetically, the white model we tested is stunning. The clean, matte white face contrasts beautifully with the walnut-effect vinyl on the sides, creating a look that is both modern and timeless. They easily blend into various decors, from a minimalist office to a cozy living room setup. A subtle but brilliant design choice is the 10-degree upward tilt of the speaker face. This is engineered specifically for near-field listening, such as on a desktop or a low media stand, directing the sound from the tweeters and woofers directly towards the listener’s ears. This small detail dramatically improves the stereo imaging and perceived clarity without needing unsightly speaker stands. The removable grey fabric grilles allow for customization—leave them on for a classic, protected look, or take them off to expose the drivers for a more technical, studio-monitor aesthetic. It’s this attention to detail that really makes the build quality a standout feature at this price point.

Connectivity and Usability: Wires, Wireless, and Everything In Between

In today’s multi-device world, flexible connectivity is non-negotiable, and the R1700BT delivers in spades. The back of the active speaker features two pairs of RCA inputs, labeled ‘PC’ and ‘AUX’. This is a fantastic feature, allowing you to have two wired sources connected simultaneously. We tested this by hooking up a turntable to the AUX input and a computer to the PC input. Switching between them was seamless using either the included remote or by pressing the volume knob on the side of the speaker. This versatility is a huge win for users who want to create a central audio hub for multiple gadgets without constantly swapping cables.

The Bluetooth functionality is equally straightforward. Pairing is initiated via the remote or the volume knob, and a small LED light indicates the status (green for line-in, blue for Bluetooth). In our tests, connecting a smartphone was instantaneous, and the connection remained stable throughout our office space. The sound quality over Bluetooth was excellent, with no discernible loss in fidelity for casual streaming. While we experienced no issues, it’s worth noting that a small number of users have reported occasional signal dropouts. This appears to be infrequent but is a point of consideration if your primary use will be wireless from a distance. The included remote is small, simple, and effective. It controls volume, mute, and input selection, covering all the essential functions from across the room. While one user reported an issue with the remote’s battery tray, our unit functioned perfectly, proving to be a convenient and welcome addition to the overall package, cementing the speaker’s status as a remarkably user-friendly and versatile audio solution.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the sentiment from owners of the Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers is overwhelmingly positive, with most users stunned by the audio quality delivered for the price. One customer, comparing them to a well-regarded Logitech 2.1 system, noted they sounded “A LOT more clear,” which aligns perfectly with our findings on the speaker’s mid-range and treble performance. Many users who paired them with turntables, like one who connected them to an Audio Technica LP60X, were “very happy with the sound.” The longevity is also a highlight for some, with one enthusiastic user providing an update after seven years, stating, “These speakers are still banging like they did day one.”

However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect, and it’s important to consider the critiques. The most significant concern comes from a user who experienced a component failure after a couple of years, discovering multiple “bulged and bursting” capacitors upon inspection. While this seems to be an outlier, especially given other long-term positive reports, it does raise a question about component longevity in some units. Another recurring, though less severe, criticism involves the Bluetooth connectivity. One reviewer mentioned that “the Bluetooth cuts out sometimes for half a second at a time,” an issue they didn’t have with other wireless speakers. These critiques provide a valuable, balanced perspective, highlighting potential issues that, while not widespread, are worth being aware of before making a purchase.

How Does the Edifier R1700BT Compare to the Alternatives?

While the R1700BT excels in its price bracket, the audio market is vast. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable competitors in different categories and price points.

1. Marshall Stanmore III Bluetooth Speaker

The Marshall Stanmore III operates on a different philosophy. It’s a single-unit speaker designed to be a room’s centerpiece, boasting a classic rock-and-roll amplifier aesthetic. Sonically, the Stanmore III delivers a bigger, more powerful sound with a significantly heavier bass presence, making it a great choice for parties or for those who prioritize a room-filling, energetic sound. However, it lacks the true stereo separation of the Edifier’s two-speaker setup, which is crucial for critical listening, gaming, and creating an immersive soundstage. The Stanmore III is for the listener who values raw power and iconic design over the nuanced, detailed stereo imaging offered by the Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers.

2. Sonos Five High-Fidelity Speaker Black

The Sonos Five is a leap into the premium smart audio ecosystem. As a single speaker, it delivers astounding fidelity, deep bass, and can be fine-tuned with Sonos’s Trueplay room-tuning technology. Its main advantage is its integration into the Sonos multi-room network, allowing for seamless, high-resolution audio streaming throughout your home controlled by a sophisticated app. This level of convenience and expandability comes at a much higher price. The Sonos Five is the better choice for those already invested in or planning to build a smart home audio system and for whom budget is a secondary concern. The Edifier R1700BT, in contrast, offers a superb, self-contained stereo experience for a fraction of the cost.

3. Edifier S2000MKIII Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers

For those who love the R1700BT’s concept but have a larger budget, the S2000MKIII represents the logical next step up in the Edifier lineup. It’s a significant upgrade in every respect: larger drivers, more power (130w RMS), and superior components, including planar diaphragm tweeters for exceptionally detailed highs. It also adds more connectivity options, such as optical and coaxial inputs, making it ideal for connecting to high-end TVs or DACs. The S2000MKIII is for the budding audiophile who wants a more powerful, refined, and versatile version of the R1700BT’s formula and is willing to pay a premium for that enhanced performance. It’s the aspirational upgrade for a satisfied R1700BT owner.

The Final Verdict: An Unbeatable Value in Audio

After extensive testing and careful consideration of user feedback, our conclusion is clear: the Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers represent one of the best values in the world of entry-level audio. They masterfully blend elegant aesthetics, solid build quality, and a sound signature that is clear, engaging, and surprisingly powerful. They are the perfect solution for anyone looking to make a significant, meaningful upgrade from basic TV or computer speakers without breaking the bank or getting lost in the complexities of Hi-Fi components.

While the potential for minor Bluetooth quirks and isolated concerns about long-term durability are noted, they are vastly overshadowed by the sheer performance and quality offered for the price. For your desktop, turntable, or small living room, they deliver a listening experience that is simply exceptional. If you’re ready to finally hear what you’ve been missing in your music, movies, and games, we can wholeheartedly recommend them. For those looking to make a smart, impactful investment in their daily audio enjoyment, you can check the current price and get your own set right here.

Last update on 2025-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API