A versatile speaker is a great addition to your studio or home audio setup. The Edifier R1700BT and R1850DB provide outstanding sound quality and proficient noise correction. These are functional and productive studio monitors that you can use for your day-to-day tasks.
The Edifier R1700BT provides remarkable features with an excellent balance between design and performance. It delivers clean and distortion-free sound. On the other hand, the Edifier R1850DB will enable you to enjoy audio from any wireless or wired source. Although the bass is sufficient, there is an option to add a subwoofer.
Sound quality
One of the crucial features to look out for when choosing a studio monitor is the sound quality. Of course, you shouldn’t compromise this, although there are other things to consider.
Edifier R1700BT
The Edifier R1700BT has a rich and detailed sound profile. It achieves this by using Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and Dynamic Range Control (DRC) technologies. In particular, the DSP will suppress noise and eliminate the distortions to deliver crystal clear sound even at high volumes. Also, the DRC balances the loudest and quietest sound ranges to stabilize volume levels.
Its mids are well defined with sufficient warmth to produce a pleasing listening experience. In addition, the highs are crisp and clean without any harshness. Also, the lows are ample, although with a little more boom.
Generally, the sound is impressive at this price point. Moreover, the speakers offer plenty of volumes, ideal for small to medium-sized studios.
Edifier 1850DB
The 1850db is quite comparable to the 1700BT in terms of sound quality. In addition, it delivers incredible performance with minimal power wastages.
First, the low-end is sufficiently deep without overpowering boominess. You can add a subwoofer if the bass is insufficient for your needs. Second, the mids are remarkable without muddy tones. Also, the highs are clean, and there is an excellent balance between the mids and lows. As a result, spoken words come out clearly both in vocal performances and dialogue in movies.
These speakers also apply the Digital Signal Processing and Dynamic Range Control technologies to reject distortions and correct noise. As a result, the sound is outstanding, which means you won’t get ear fatigue associated with tiny high frequencies. So, they will come in handy when mixing at a professional level.
Build quality
The construction quality is another crucial factor to consider as it will determine how long the speaker will last.
Edifier R1700BT
R1700BT units have a solid build quality with ideal weight to keep them in place. In addition, the exterior casing features a high-performance MDF wood with vinyl walnut woodgrain wrap to add a decorative touch. This makes the speakers ideal for any studio or home application.
It is worth mentioning that the vinyl wrap is vulnerable to wearing away. So, it may start to peel sooner or later, especially if your working station is humid. However, this is purely speculation based on past interactions with vinyl coatings.
Edifier R1850DB
The speakers are well built with study cabinets and the right weight to sit well on the surface. Like the R1700BT, the casing is made from MDF wood, which can minimize resonance than plastic material.
Furthermore, the front is textured and does not attract fingerprints easily. Also, the removable metal grill is high-quality and will come in handy to protect the drivers from dust.
Edifier R1850DB has a remote control. The recessed buttons feel natural, but the remote is inherently flimsy and will likely not last long.
Specifications
Edifier R1700BT
The R1700BT has a 4-inch woofer with a forward-facing bass port, which produces a fulfilling low-end delivery. Also, the 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter will handle high-frequencies.
In addition, the frequency response range is impressive at 60Hz – 20kHz. This means that it can produce defined highs and rich low tones, enough to scale across all frequencies in the audible spectrum of human hearing.
The speakers are pretty loud with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 85dbA, which is more than enough for most applications. For example, it can project the sound across the room when watching TV. Also, the distortion is minimal even at maximum volume, although I discourage you from running max capacity for long periods.
Drivers
- 4-inch woofer
- 0.75-inch tweeter
Frequency range
- 60Hz – 20kHz
Weight
- 14.52 pounds (6.6Kgs)
Edifier R1850DB
The Edifier R1850DB comes with a 4-inch woofer that manages low and most midrange frequencies. Also, it uses a 0.75-inch tweeter to handle the high ends. This is a standard configuration with many studio monitors.
Similar to the R1700BT, the frequency response range is 60Hz – 20kHz. It has sufficient depth in both high and low ends to deliver an accurate response. Also, the speakers are loud at 85dBA, which is ideal for a small to the medium-sized studio.
Drivers
- 4-inch woofer
- 0.75-inch tweeter
Frequency range
- 60Hz – 20kHz
Weight
- 16.8 pounds (7.6Kgs)
Design
Although you may want a speaker that produces amazing sound, it should also fit your studio’s aesthetic.
Edifier R1700BT
These bookshelf speakers are attractive with the combination of matte black tones and walnut wrap. They are sleek and would fit in most modern entertainment setups, either at home or in studios. Since most electronics are black, the R1700BT will add flair and detail.
The front face is angled to direct the sound, so you won’t need to use monitor stands. Also, you can remove the cloth panel to expose the drivers. However, keep in mind that the panels help to protect the drivers and diffuse the sound.
Edifier 1850DB
Like other Edifier speakers, the R1850DB is good-looking. It has a sleek jet-black finish that will match most studio setups. You can also use the speakers in your living room. Moreover, the grilles provide a cleaner design and help protect the drivers if your children have prying fingers. Also, there is a 10-degree angle to project the sound to your ears.
Controls
Many studio monitors at this price point don’t offer much in terms of tuning options, yet controls are crucial in a speaker setup.
Edifier R1700BT
It has three knobs on the right-hand speaker to control the volume, bass, and treble. Thankfully, these are conveniently sunken into the cabinet for a clean appearance.
Another notable feature is the multiple functions on the volume control dial. Besides increasing or lowering the volume levels, you can push the dial to switch between wired and wireless input sources. Also, press and hold the dial to initiate a Bluetooth connection.
Remote control is also included with the speakers. It will come in handy to control some functions if you don’t like getting up every time you want to change something.
Edifier 1850DB
The set of controls is similar to the R1700BT. However, the volume, treble, and bass knobs are placed at the back of the primary unit. The volume ranges from +6dB to -6dB, which is enough for most applications. It also offers a remote control that you can use to adjust the volume level, input type, and play/pause.
What we liked
Edifier R1700BT
- Excellent frequency response range
- Bluetooth technology to connect to other devices
- Powerful woofer and tweeter for exceptional sound quality
- The vinyl wrap gives it an attractive design
- Comes with a remote control for convenience
Edifier R1850DB
- Great drivers that produce outstanding sound output
- Allows you to add an external subwoofer
- The matte black color gives it a stylish and sleek design
- Multiple input options and effortless to connect with devices
What we didn’t like
Edifier R1700BT
- The remote control is flimsy
- Vinyl coating is susceptible to scratches
Edifier R1850DB
- On the heavier side
The Verdict: Which is the better choice?
With all said and done, both the Edifier R1700BT and R1850DB are high-quality mid-range speakers and offer exceptional sound quality. Their differences do not affect the performance, and they can be excellent choices for studios and home entertainment. However, I would lean more on the R1850DB side because of the extra functionality and controls.
