Edifier R1700BTs Review (2026): Clear Mids, Light Bass

This Edifier R1700BTs review looks at a pair of powered bookshelf speakers aimed at desks, small living rooms and bedrooms. They sit in the mid-range part of the market. They combine wired inputs, Bluetooth with aptX HD and the option to add a subwoofer later. In short, they are for small-room listeners who want clear, versatile bookshelf speakers with Bluetooth. This review is based on manufacturer specs and what independent experts report, not on our own hands-on testing.

What the R1700BTs is, and why people consider it

The R1700BTs is an active two-way speaker system. One speaker holds the amplifier and connections, and the second connects to it by cable. Nothing else is needed to get sound out of it: plug in a source over RCA or pair a phone over Bluetooth.

People shop for speakers like this when laptop or monitor speakers stop being enough, but they don't want a full hi-fi stack with a separate amplifier. The pitch here is a wide choice of inputs, a wooden enclosure and a sensible upgrade path. It doesn't try to be a one-box solution for everything, and the gaps (covered below) matter as much as the strengths.

Edifier R1700BTs review: design and build

Each speaker uses an MDF enclosure in a bass-reflex design. MDF is a common choice for speaker cabinets because it is dense and helps reduce panel resonance. Edifier lists that resonance reduction as a feature. Reviewers also say the cabinets feel more substantial than typical computer speakers, which fits with the 6.6kg net weight.

The active speaker measures 154mm x 254mm x 214mm. That is small enough for a desk or a shelf, though you'll still want to check the depth against your furniture. The cabinets are angled 10 degrees to aim sound at your ears.

Controls are split sensibly. The side panel has knobs for bass, treble and volume, so you can make quick adjustments without leaning on the remote. A wireless remote is also included, which is handy if the speakers sit on a shelf across the room.

A common criticism concerns the speaker-to-speaker cable, which reviewers describe as very long.

Features and what they mean day to day

Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD

The R1700BTs supports Bluetooth 5.0 and Qualcomm aptX HD. In practice, aptX HD allows higher-quality wireless streaming, but only if your phone, tablet or laptop also supports it. If it doesn't, you'll still connect over standard Bluetooth. Reviewers list Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD for higher-quality wireless streaming among the speakers' strengths.

Dual RCA inputs

Two RCA inputs let you keep two wired sources connected at once. That lets you share the speakers between two wired sources without constant cable swapping. Reviewers single this out as a plus. Between the two RCA inputs and Bluetooth, you get three ways in.

The flip side is what's missing: there is no USB or optical/digital input. If you planned to connect a PC or a TV through a digital connection, check what outputs your devices have. If a digital connection is a priority, the lack of USB or optical input is a real limitation.

Sub Out and the upgrade path

The Sub Out port has a built-in crossover and auto-detection. If you later decide you want more low-end weight, you can add a powered subwoofer without replacing the speakers. For a pair that experts describe as light on bass, that is a significant feature. It means the buying decision isn't final: you can start with the pair and add a sub if a room demands it.

Amplification and DSP

The speakers use a Class-D amplifier with DSP and DRC, which Edifier says helps keep the sound distortion-free. Total output is 66W RMS, made up of 15W x 2 for the tweeters and 18W x 2 for the mid-bass drivers. Edifier says that output lets the pair fill a room from a compact footprint.

One caution: a common criticism is that the spatializer/DSP effect can wash out the sound. If you try it and find the sound loses focus, the sensible answer is to leave it off.

Sound and performance, as the specs and reviewers describe it

Each speaker pairs a 4" mid/bass driver with a 0.75" silk dome tweeter. Silk dome tweeters are widely used for smooth treble, and reviewers praise the R1700BTs for clear, detailed highs and midrange in small spaces. That suits dialogue, vocals, acoustic music and general desktop listening.

The frequency response is listed as 52Hz - 20kHz. A common criticism is that bass is light and can sound thin in larger rooms without a sub. In a small room or on a desk, where you sit close, this is less of an issue. In a bigger living room, it becomes the main compromise.

The signal-to-noise ratio is listed as ≥ 85dB (A).

What experts like and what they criticise

The praise is consistent. Reviewers like the clear, detailed highs and midrange in small spaces, the Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD, the Sub Out port, the dual RCA inputs and the sturdier feel of the MDF enclosure.

The criticisms are just as consistent:

• Bass is light and can sound thin in larger rooms without a sub.
• There is no USB or optical/digital input.
• The speaker-to-speaker cable is very long.
• The spatializer/DSP effect can wash out the sound.

None of these is a surprise given the specs, and most can be worked around. The bass limit is the one that is hardest to ignore, because it shapes how the speakers sound in every room, though a subwoofer addresses it. The missing digital inputs are a matter of whether your sources fit.

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

Buy it if:

• You want clear mids and highs for a desk, bedroom or small living room.
• You have more than one wired source (via RCA) and also want to stream from a phone.
• You like the idea of starting with a pair and adding a subwoofer later through the Sub Out port.
• You want a physical remote and side-panel knobs rather than relying on an app.

Skip it if:

• You need USB or optical input. This pair has neither.
• You want strong bass in a larger room and don't plan to buy a subwoofer.
• You want a processed "wide" sound. Reviewers say the spatializer/DSP effect can wash out the sound.
• You have very little desk space and can't deal with a long connecting cable.

How it fits in its category

Powered bookshelf speakers sit between simple computer speakers and a traditional separate amplifier-and-speakers setup. The R1700BTs sits firmly on the convenient side of that range. It is a self-contained pair with wired and wireless inputs, and it is aimed at near-field and small-room listening rather than large spaces. The mix of dual RCA, Bluetooth and a Sub Out port gives it versatility. The lack of digital inputs and the light bass mark its limits.

Verdict

The Edifier R1700BTs is a sensible choice for listeners in small spaces who value clarity in the midrange and highs, a flexible set of inputs and the freedom to add a subwoofer later. Its weaknesses are plain: light bass in bigger rooms, no USB or optical input, and a DSP effect that is better left off. If those don't conflict with your setup, it is a well-equipped pair. If you need digital connections or big bass out of the box, look elsewhere.

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