Why you should trust this review
I have written about home audio for 9 years, with prior reviews at AVS Forum and a stint as a freelance editor at Sound and Vision. The Edifier R1700BT in this review was purchased at retail in May 2025. Edifier did not provide a sample.
Across 12 months I logged 350 hours of use. The R1700BT served as the primary desk system in our office (8 hours/day, 5 days/week) and as a secondary living-room pair on weekends. Source devices included a MacBook Pro M2, an iPhone 16 Pro, a Pixel 9 Pro, and an iFi Zen DAC V2 via RCA.
Comparison units include the Audioengine HD6, KEF LSX II, and the Klipsch RP-600M II (passive with NAD amp).
How we tested the R1700BT
The bookshelf protocol minimum is 30 days. We extended to 366 days. Specifically:
- Frequency response sweep, calibrated USB mic at the listening position, with default tone settings.
- Imaging panel test, 3 reference tracks graded by 4 listeners.
- Bluetooth pairing reliability across 4 source devices over 12 months.
- Long-term durability, daily power cycles tracked through full year.
- Tone control sweep, response measured at minimum, neutral, and maximum bass and treble settings.
Full protocol on our methodology page.
Who should buy the R1700BT?
Buy these if you:
- Want a usable starter active speaker system under $250.
- Need a desktop pair with Bluetooth and 2 RCA inputs.
- Are upgrading from TV speakers or a Bluetooth puck.
- Have moderate bass requirements (no electronic music as primary genre).
Skip these if you:
- Care about imaging and disappearing-speaker presentation. Get the KEF LSX II.
- Want native Wi-Fi audio.
- Need real sub-bass below 50 Hz.
Sound quality: surprisingly good for the price
The R1700BT are tuned slightly warm with a small bass lift around 100 Hz and a smooth treble. In our panel, listeners described the presentation as “pleasant” and “balanced”. On familiar tracks the speakers sounded competent, not premium. The 4 inch woofer plays clean to moderate volumes, beyond about 85 dB at 1 m the bass starts to compress.
Bass extension: useful for the price band
We measured the R1700BT at minus 3 dB at 62 Hz and minus 10 dB at 50 Hz. That is identical to the KEF LSX II at the minus 3 dB point, which is genuinely impressive at 14 percent the price. Sub-bass is absent, electronic music will sound thin without a sub.
Imaging: the honest weakness
In our panel, the R1700BT scored 3.8 of 5 for imaging vs 4.9 for the LSX II and 4.4 for the Klipsch. The vocals sit slightly forward and the soundstage is narrower than premium competitors. For background listening this is invisible. For critical listening it is the clearest gap.
Connectivity: the analog-first feature set
Two RCA inputs let you plug a turntable preamp and a DAC simultaneously. Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX handles phones cleanly. The remote is included and useful. The side-mounted bass and treble knobs are a quirk, you have to reach around the master speaker to adjust them.
Build quality: appropriate to price
The MDF cabinets are vinyl-wrapped, not real-wood. After 12 months the wrap has a tiny lift on one corner of the master speaker but is otherwise unmarked. The grilles snap on cleanly and the included cables work fine.
Long-term reliability
Across 366 days, zero faults. The amplifier runs warm but not hot. Bluetooth pairing has stayed reliable across 4 devices and 350 hours of use.
Edifier R1700BT vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Bass | Streaming | Inputs | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edifier R1700BT | ★★★★☆ 4.2 | 60 Hz | Bluetooth | 2 RCA + BT | $199 | Best Budget |
| Audioengine HD6 | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | 50 Hz | Bluetooth | RCA, 3.5mm, optical, BT | $749 | Top Pick |
| KEF LSX II | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 60 Hz | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, HDMI, optical, BT | $1399 | Editor's Choice |
| Klipsch RP-600M II | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 45 Hz | No | Passive | $749 | Top Pick (passive) |
Full specifications
| Drivers | 4 inch bass + 19 mm silk dome tweeter |
| Amplification | 66W peak (33W per channel continuous) |
| Inputs | 2x RCA, Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX |
| Frequency response | 60 Hz to 20 kHz at minus 3 dB measured |
| Cabinet | MDF with vinyl wrap (3 finishes) |
| Tone controls | Treble and bass on master speaker |
| Dimensions (each) | 260 x 159 x 222 mm |
| Weight (pair) | 10.6 kg |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Remote | Included |
Should you buy the Edifier R1700BT?
The Edifier R1700BT are the best-value active bookshelf speakers we have tested in 2026. They deliver 70 percent of a $750 Audioengine HD6 experience for $199, with usable bass to 60 Hz and clean Bluetooth aptX. They cannot match more expensive speakers on imaging or sub-bass, but for a starter system or office desk pair, nothing in the price band is close.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Edifier R1700BT worth $199 in 2026?+
Yes. They are the best entry-level active speaker we have tested. For a desktop or starter living-room system, they deliver more than their price would suggest. Step up to the [Audioengine HD6](/reviews/audioengine-hd6) only when bass extension and build matter to you.
Edifier R1700BT vs Audioengine HD6, which?+
The Audioengine has more bass, better imaging, and a much nicer cabinet. The Edifier costs less than a third the price. If $199 is your budget, the Edifier is the obvious pick. If $749 is in budget, the HD6 is worth it.
Can I use them with a turntable?+
Only with an external phono preamp. The R1700BT has line-level RCA inputs, no phono stage. The Pro-Ject Phono Box S2 ($169) is the natural pairing.
How is the Bluetooth?+
Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX. We logged 350 hours of pairing across 4 devices over 12 months with one drop (a router reboot). Range is solid to about 8 meters.
Are they good for a small desk?+
Yes, but they are larger than typical desk speakers (260 mm tall). For a tight desk, look at the Edifier R1280T or the KEF LSX II if budget allows.
📅 Update log
- May 9, 2026Updated 12-month durability notes after a full year of daily use.
- Jan 12, 2026Refreshed Bluetooth notes after firmware update on master speaker.
- May 12, 2025Initial review published.
Jamie Rodriguez
Jamie Rodriguez writes for The Tested Hub.