For years, my home office audio setup was a story of compromise. I cycled through countless pairs of cheap, plastic PC speakers that buzzed, distorted at moderate volumes, and rendered my favorite music flat and lifeless. The alternative seemed to be a full-blown, multi-component hi-fi system—a world of receivers, amplifiers, and passive speakers that felt both financially and spatially out of reach for a simple desktop environment. I just wanted to enjoy crisp, clear audio for music, podcasts, and the occasional gaming session without cluttering my workspace or emptying my bank account. This is a common frustration: the vast chasm between disappointing “computer speakers” and intimidating “audiophile gear.” The search for that perfect middle ground—powerful, versatile, aesthetically pleasing, and affordable—can feel endless. It’s this very search that leads so many of us to the burgeoning category of active bookshelf speakers.
- BLUETOOTH 5.0 WITH QUALCOMM APTX HD - Easily connect to your phone, laptop or tablet for wireless listening enjoyment, suitable for iOS, Android, Mac, or Windows devices. AptX HD supports up to 24bit...
- SUB OUT - Subwoofer output with built-in crossover and auto detection. Dual RCA inputs for phone, TV, DVD, PC connection, support connect to two devices at the same time, no plugging needed.
- NATURAL SOUND REPRODUCTION - Get the cleanest and most impressive natural sound from the 19mm silk dome tweeter unit, 4 inches woofer unit, and 66W continuous undistorted power.
What to Consider Before Buying Active Bookshelf Speakers
A set of active bookshelf speakers is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for elevating your daily audio experience. Unlike traditional passive speakers that require a separate, often bulky amplifier or receiver, active speakers have the amplification built right in. This creates a streamlined, all-in-one system that’s perfect for desktops, small living rooms, dorm rooms, or connecting directly to a turntable. The main benefit is simplicity without a significant sacrifice in sound quality. You get a rich, detailed soundstage that cheap all-in-one solutions simply cannot replicate, opening up a world of auditory detail in your favorite songs and movies that you may have been missing for years.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the exact dilemma I described: a music lover, a gamer, a remote worker, or a budding vinyl collector who wants a significant audio upgrade without the complexity and cost of a component-based system. They value convenience, modern connectivity like Bluetooth, and a compact footprint. On the other hand, this might not be the right fit for a dedicated audiophile with a large listening room who already owns high-end amplification and prefers to mix and match components to achieve a very specific sound signature. For them, a passive speaker system, like the ELACs we discuss later, would offer more granular control and scalability. But for the 90% of us who want great sound, now, with minimal fuss, active speakers are the answer.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Bookshelf speakers, by definition, are meant to be compact, but their sizes can vary. Measure your desk, shelf, or media console to ensure a proper fit. Consider that speakers like the Edifier R1700BTs have a rear-facing bass port, so they perform best with a few inches of clearance from the wall to prevent boomy, undefined bass. Their angled design is also a key feature, intended to direct sound upwards towards your ears in a near-field (close-up) listening setup.
- Performance & Connectivity: This is the heart of the matter. Look at the Total RMS Power (66W for the R1700BTs, which is ample for most rooms). Check the driver sizes—a larger woofer generally means better bass response. Most importantly, evaluate the inputs. The Edifier R1700BTs Active Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers excel here with two separate RCA inputs (for PC, turntable, etc.), high-quality Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD for wireless streaming, and the game-changing subwoofer out port for future expansion.
- Materials & Durability: Avoid speakers made of cheap, thin plastic. The gold standard for speaker enclosures is MDF (Medium-density fibreboard) because it’s dense and acoustically inert, preventing unwanted resonance and vibrations that can color the sound. The Edifier R1700BTs use a quality MDF wood enclosure with a handsome vinyl finish, giving them a premium look and feel that far exceeds their price point, a sentiment echoed by many users who praise their fantastic build quality.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: An active speaker should be plug-and-play. Look for intuitive controls, either on the speaker itself or via a remote. The R1700BTs offer both, with convenient knobs for volume, treble, and bass recessed into the side of the active speaker, plus a wireless remote. For maintenance, a simple dusting with a microfiber cloth is all that’s needed to keep them looking great for years.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Edifier R1700BTs Active Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Edifier R1700BTs Active 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:
- 2 x AUX INPUT - Convenient connection to any device that has a 3.5mm headphone output or dual RCA output. Play from two devices via AUX at the same time, no plugging and switching needed
- EXPERIENCE AMAZING HOME THEATER SOUND WITH RICH, IMMERSIVE AUDIO – Featuring a 0.75" tweeter and a 5.25" Dynamic Balance driver, these passive bookshelf speakers deliver clear, balanced sound with...
- Each speaker in the Stage 2 series features Polycellulose ribbed cone woofers
First Impressions: Premium Build, Thoughtful Design
Unboxing the Edifier R1700BTs Active Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers was the first sign that these were a serious piece of kit. The box has a surprising heft, and inside, the speakers are securely nestled in protective foam. The first thing I noticed was the build quality. The MDF cabinets, finished in a classic brown wood vinyl, feel solid and substantial—a world away from the hollow plastic shells of typical PC speakers. Their angled stance isn’t just for looks; it’s a thoughtful ergonomic choice designed to aim the sound directly at the listener’s ears in a desktop setting, improving clarity and stereo imaging without needing separate stands.
In the box, you get everything needed to get started: a power cable, a generous length of 4-pin interconnect cable to link the active (right) and passive (left) speakers, an RCA-to-RCA cable, and an RCA-to-3.5mm cable for connecting to a headphone jack. The controls—three recessed knobs for volume, bass, and treble—are neatly tucked away on the side of the right speaker, easy to access but not disruptive to the clean front face. Even the removable grey fabric grille feels well-made. Firing them up for the first time, a small LED behind the grille glows green or blue to indicate the selected input, a subtle and classy touch. From the moment you lift them out of the box, the R1700BTs project an aura of quality that punches well above their weight class.
Advantages
- Exceptional sound clarity in mids and highs for the price
- Versatile connectivity including aptX HD Bluetooth and dual RCA inputs
- Dedicated subwoofer output for easy 2.1 system expansion
- Superb build quality with attractive MDF wood enclosure
Drawbacks
- Bass response is clean but lacks deep punch without a subwoofer
- Included remote control is basic and has a very limited effective range
Deep Dive: Deconstructing the R1700BTs Performance
A great first impression is one thing, but sustained performance is what truly defines a product. Over several weeks, I put the Edifier R1700BTs Active Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers through their paces in a variety of scenarios: as desktop speakers for music and gaming, as a sound system for a turntable in a small living room, and connected to a TV. In every case, they proved to be more than just competent; they were consistently impressive, revealing a level of versatility and audio fidelity that is genuinely rare at this price point.
The Sound Signature: Clarity, Detail, and the “Subwoofer Question”
The core of any speaker is, of course, its sound. The R1700BTs are equipped with a 19mm “Eagle Eye” silk dome tweeter and a 4-inch woofer, a classic combination for a speaker of this size. What this translates to in practice is a sound signature that leans towards clarity and detail. During my testing with acoustic tracks like “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman and jazz classics from the Miles Davis Quintet, the speakers shone. Vocals were front and center, crisp and articulate. Cymbals had a pleasant shimmer without being harsh, and the intricate work on pianos and guitars was rendered with surprising texture. This aligns perfectly with user feedback, where one reviewer noted, “Mids, highs, it all sounds clean and crisp.” We absolutely agree. There’s a refinement here that you just don’t get from single-driver or less sophisticated speaker systems.
Where the conversation gets more nuanced is the bass. Out of the box, with the EQ knobs at neutral, the bass is present, tight, and clean. For casual listening in a small room or office, it’s entirely adequate. One user mentioned they found the bass “totally adequate for casual listening” at low volumes, and that’s a fair assessment. However, if you listen to bass-heavy genres like hip-hop, EDM, or action-packed movie scores, you will notice the limitations of the 4-inch woofer. It simply can’t move enough air to produce that deep, gut-punching low-end rumble. As another user rightly pointed out, “Initial impressions were these had zero low end.” While we found that to be an exaggeration, it highlights a crucial point: these speakers truly come alive with a subwoofer. The built-in EQ allows you to boost the bass, which helps, but it’s no substitute for a dedicated sub. The beauty of the “s” model in R1700BTs is that Edifier knows this and has given you the perfect, simple upgrade path.
Connectivity as a Superpower: The Ultimate Desktop Hub
The true genius of the Edifier R1700BTs Active Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers lies in its incredible flexibility. This isn’t just a pair of speakers; it’s a central audio hub. Let’s start with the wireless. The inclusion of Bluetooth 5.0 with Qualcomm’s aptX HD codec is a massive upgrade. Pairing is instantaneous, and the connection is rock-solid. Streaming from my phone using services that support higher bitrate audio, the quality was nearly indistinguishable from a wired connection—it was rich, stable, and free of the compression artifacts that plague older Bluetooth standards. Interestingly, one user found the volume and sound quality to be significantly better over Bluetooth from their phone than when wired to their PC, which suggests the quality of your source’s internal DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) plays a big role. This is why many enthusiasts, as one reviewer detailed, pair these speakers with an external DAC for the best possible wired performance.
The dual RCA inputs are another killer feature. This allowed me to have my desktop computer permanently connected to the “PC” input while my turntable (with its built-in preamp) was connected to the “AUX” input. Switching between them is a simple press of the volume knob or a button on the remote. No more swapping cables. But the star of the show, the feature that elevates the R1700BTs from a great budget speaker to a fantastic long-term investment, is the SUB OUT port. It uses an intelligent auto-detection system that, when you plug in a subwoofer, automatically engages a crossover. This means the R1700BTs stops trying to reproduce the very lowest frequencies (below 100Hz) and sends them to the sub, which is designed to handle them. This frees up the 4-inch woofer to focus on the mid-bass and midrange, resulting in a cleaner, louder, and more dynamic sound across the board. The transformation is not subtle. As one user emphatically stated, “Sound (With Sub) – 5 stars. These really need a sub and I’m glad they implemented a sub out.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. The ability to so easily create a full 2.1 system is what makes these speakers so special.
Build, Usability, and Living with the R1700BTs
Beyond the sound and specs, the day-to-day experience of using these speakers is a pleasure. The physical build is rock-solid. The MDF cabinets don’t just look good; they contribute to the clean sound by being acoustically dead, preventing the boxy resonance that plagues cheaper speakers. They feel heavy and dense, inspiring confidence in their longevity. One user who has owned them for over four years in a workshop environment vouched for their durability, a testament to their construction.
The side-panel controls are perfectly implemented. The recessed design keeps the look clean, and the knobs have a satisfying, smooth action with a center detent for the bass and treble, so you can easily return them to a neutral setting. While the controls are great, the included remote is the product’s most obvious weakness. It’s a small, thin plastic remote that feels a bit cheap compared to the speakers themselves. More importantly, its functionality is dependent on a clear line of sight and its range is quite poor. As one user complained, “The range is far too weak.. It will not work unless I’m…” very close to the active speaker. In a desktop setting, this is a minor annoyance, but if you’re using them across a living room, it can be frustrating. A newer, updated remote is included, which adds a “Soundfield Spatializer” button. This feature attempts to widen the stereo soundstage. In our testing, it added a bit of artificial-sounding echo and reverb. We preferred to leave it off for critical music listening, but it can be a fun effect for gaming or movies.
What Other Users Are Saying
After extensively testing the Edifier R1700BTs Active Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers, we combed through hundreds of user experiences to see how our findings aligned with the broader public. The consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with most users centering on the incredible value proposition. One user captured this perfectly, saying, “I highly recommend these speakers based on the quality to cost ratio.” Another, who owns a high-end Klipsch setup costing thousands, made a shocking admission: “My god!!! I own a $3000 klipsch set up and best believe I rather listen to music inside my storage from now on. The sound is crisp clear.” This highlights the sheer enjoyment factor these speakers provide, regardless of one’s audiophile background.
The praise isn’t universal, however, and the criticisms are consistent and worth noting. The most common complaint, which we confirmed, is the weak remote control. A few users also reported long-term reliability issues, particularly with the Bluetooth functionality. One user noted that after six months, “the Bluetooth feature stopped working… It now will flash blue as it is supposed to, but will not connect.” While this appears to be a minority experience given the product’s popularity and 2-year warranty, it’s an important potential issue to be aware of. Another valid critique is their performance at very low volumes, where one user felt they couldn’t “enjoy the sound that the Bose produced for me,” finding the Edifiers only came alive at higher volumes. This is a common trait in dynamic speakers, but something to consider if you do most of your listening at whisper-quiet levels.
Alternatives to the Edifier R1700BTs Active Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers
While the R1700BTs are a phenomenal value, the audio world is vast. Here’s how they stack up against three notable competitors.
1. Klipsch R-51PM Powered Bluetooth Speaker
The Klipsch R-51PM is a step up in both price and power. Known for their signature Tractrix horn-loaded tweeter, these speakers deliver a more dynamic, “live,” and forward sound than the Edifiers. They feature a larger 5.25-inch woofer, providing more robust bass right out of the box. They also offer more comprehensive connectivity, including a Phono input (for turntables without a built-in preamp), USB, and Optical inputs. The R-51PM is for the listener who wants a more energetic, room-filling sound and is willing to pay a premium for the legendary Klipsch sound and expanded input options.
2. Edifier S2000MKIII Active Bookshelf Speakers
If you love the concept of the R1700BTs but have a much larger budget, the S2000MKIII from Edifier’s own lineup is a worthy upgrade. These are in a different league entirely, featuring planar diaphragm tweeters for incredibly detailed and airy highs, and larger 5.5-inch aluminum woofers for deeper, more controlled bass. They also boast a more powerful amplifier, higher-end internal components, and a wider array of inputs including Optical and Coaxial. The S2000MKIII is aimed at the serious audiophile who wants the convenience of an active speaker but demands a higher level of sonic fidelity and is prepared to invest significantly more to get it.
3. ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers
The ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 represents a different path entirely. These are passive speakers, meaning they have no built-in amplification and require a separate stereo receiver or integrated amplifier to work. For those building a traditional component hi-fi system, these are a legendary choice, offering stunningly deep bass from their 6.5-inch woofer and a balanced, sophisticated sound designed by the renowned Andrew Jones. Someone might choose the ELACs over the Edifiers if they already own an amplifier or want the flexibility to upgrade their components individually over time. It’s a more involved, but potentially more rewarding, path for the dedicated audio hobbyist.
Final Verdict: The Smartest Money in Audio Today
After countless hours of listening, testing, and comparing, our conclusion is clear: the Edifier R1700BTs Active Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers are a triumph of audio engineering and value. They masterfully bridge the gap between inadequate desktop speakers and expensive, complex hi-fi systems. For anyone looking to dramatically improve their audio for a PC, turntable, or small room, these speakers deliver a clean, detailed, and engaging listening experience that is simply unheard of at this price point.
Their true brilliance lies not just in their standalone performance, but in their potential. The inclusion of a dedicated subwoofer output is a masterstroke, providing a clear and simple upgrade path that transforms a great 2.0 system into a phenomenal 2.1 system capable of genuinely room-filling sound. While the lackluster remote and the need for a sub to achieve the deepest bass are valid shortcomings, they are minor blemishes on an otherwise outstanding package. For the money, we believe you simply cannot buy a more versatile, better-built, or better-sounding active speaker. They are an enthusiastic and unequivocal recommendation.
If you’ve decided the Edifier R1700BTs Active Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API