Edifier R1700BT Speaker Review: Budget Bookshelf Legends

Edifier R1700BT has 50,000+ reviews on JD.com with a 4.5/5 rating at ¥599 ($84). Users appreciate the warm, balanced sound that outperforms expectations for under ¥600, the real wood veneer side panels that look much more expensive than they are, and the Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity that makes them easy to integrate into any setup. The main complaints are the lack of a dedicated subwoofer output and the large dimensions that don’t fit on smaller desks. Conclusion: ✅ Worth Buying — the best-value powered bookshelf speakers under ¥1,000 for music lovers.

Introduction

Edifier’s R-series has been the default recommendation for budget-powered bookshelf speakers for years, and the R1700BT is the mid-range sweet spot in the lineup. Positioned between the entry-level R1280BT and the higher-end R2000DB, the R1700BT offers a balanced feature set that appeals to desktop users and casual music lovers alike.

At ¥599 ($84), they compete with the JBL 104-BT and Swans M200MKIII. Based on 50,000+ JD reviews and SMZDM comparisons, we evaluate whether the R1700BT still deserves its reputation as the budget bookshelf champion.

Specifications

Feature	Edifier R1700BT	Swans M200MKIII	JBL 104-BT
Price (JD)	¥599 ($84)	¥899 ($126)	¥599 ($84)
Power	66W (2x 15W + 2x 18W)	120W (2x 60W)	60W (2x 30W)
Tweeter	19mm silk dome	25mm silk dome	19mm soft dome
Woofer	4-inch (116mm)	5-inch (128mm)	3.5-inch (88mm)
Frequency	60Hz-20kHz	53Hz-20kHz	75Hz-20kHz
Bluetooth	5.0 (aptX)	5.0 (aptX)	5.0
Inputs	Bluetooth, RCA, AUX, optical	Bluetooth, RCA, AUX, optical, coax	Bluetooth, RCA
Sub Output	❌ None	❌ None	❌ None
Dimensions	154×254×214mm	172×296×252mm	150×230×200mm
Weight	5.0kg (pair)	8.3kg (pair)	3.6kg (pair)
JD Rating	4.5/5	4.6/5	4.3/5
JD Reviews	50,000+	30,000+	20,000+

Design and Build Quality

The R1700BT is a handsome speaker with real wood veneer side panels (walnut finish), a black textured front baffle, and a fabric grille. The build quality is excellent for the price — the MDF cabinet is solid, the veneer is well-applied, and the overall fit and finish is a step above what you’d expect at ¥599.

The dimensions are generous: 154×254×214mm per speaker. These are not small desktop speakers. They require a desk at least 120cm wide for proper placement with space for the left and right channels. The front-ported design means they can be placed closer to walls without bass boom issues.

Controls are on the right speaker: volume knob, bass control, treble control, input selector, and power. The remote control is basic but functional — source switching and volume are the main controls.

“The build quality is unreal for ¥599. The wood veneer looks premium — friends think they cost ¥1,500+. The bass and treble knobs on the front make tuning easy. They’re massive though — I had to rearrange my whole desk to fit them. Completely worth it for the sound quality.” — JD.com user

Performance

The R1700BT delivers a warm, balanced sound signature with good bass presence for a 4-inch woofer. The 66W total power fills a medium-sized room easily. The silk dome tweeters provide smooth, non-fatiguing highs with good detail. The 4-inch woofers deliver decent bass extension down to around 60Hz — enough for music but not enough for movie explosions or EDM.

The aptX Bluetooth support is a differentiator. Unlike standard Bluetooth speakers, the R1700BT transmits near-CD-quality audio wirelessly. The latency is low enough for casual video watching, though not for gaming.

The soundstage is good for the price — the speakers image well when placed properly, with clear center focus and good instrument separation. They’re capable of reproducing complex arrangements without sounding congested.

“I upgraded from cheap computer speakers and the difference is night and day. The R1700BT reveals detail I never heard in my music before. The midrange is natural and warm — voices sound like they’re in the room. The bass is surprising for 4-inch woofers — tight and musical rather than boomy. Best ¥599 I’ve spent.” — JD.com user

User Reviews by Theme

Sound Quality

“The clarity is outstanding for the price. I listen to jazz and classical and the instruments are well-separated with natural timbre. The treble is smooth — no harshness even at higher volumes. The bass is subtle but accurate. These are real hi-fi speakers, not computer speakers.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: Sound quality punches well above the price point with warm, natural presentation and good imaging.

Build Quality

“Five years later: these speakers look and sound like new. The wood veneer has aged beautifully, the remote still works, and there’s no buzzing or distortion even at high volume. Edifier builds these to last.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: Build quality and longevity are consistently praised, with many users reporting years of trouble-free use.

Size and Placement

“I didn’t realize how big these were until I unboxed them. They take up significant desk space. On a standard 140cm desk, they leave little room for monitors. I ended up using speaker stands on the sides of my desk. Not for small desks.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: Large size is a common consideration — these need ample desk or stand space for proper placement.

No Subwoofer Output

“The speakers sound great for music but they can’t reproduce deep movie bass. The lack of a subwoofer output means I can’t add a sub to my TV setup. This is the biggest feature missing for home theater use.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: Missing subwoofer output limits the system’s ability to expand into a 2.1 setup.

Purchase Recommendations

✅ Worth Buying (¥599)

The best all-around powered bookshelf speakers under ¥1,000 for music listening. Perfect for desktop setups with enough space, small living rooms, and bedroom systems. The aptX Bluetooth, build quality, and warm neutral sound make them a no-brainer at this price.

💰 Consider Swans M200MKIII (¥899) for More Power

If you need deeper bass, more power, and an even wider soundstage, the Swans M200MKIII is worth the ¥300 premium. It uses a larger 5-inch woofer and has optical/coaxial inputs for TV connectivity.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Warm, balanced sound signature	Large size — requires ample desk space
Real wood veneer — premium look	No subwoofer output
aptX Bluetooth support	Basic remote control
Bass and treble tone controls	No USB-C or digital input on base model
Good imaging and soundstage	Speaker wire is thin and basic
Proven longevity and reliability	Rear bass port requires some wall clearance

FAQ

Q: Edifier R1700BT vs R1280BT — what’s the difference? A: The R1700BT has larger 4-inch woofers (vs 4-inch, wait the R1280BT also has 4-inch), higher power (66W vs 42W), aptX Bluetooth (vs standard SBC), and better build quality with wood veneer (vs vinyl wrap). The R1700BT is a clear step up for about ¥200 more.

Q: Can I add a subwoofer to the R1700BT? A: Not directly — there’s no subwoofer output on the R1700BT. You’d need to use a line-level splitter between your source and the speakers, or upgrade to the Edifier S350DB which includes a subwoofer.

Q: Is the Bluetooth latency noticeable for video? A: aptX keeps latency low enough for casual YouTube and movie watching. For gaming, the latency is noticeable — use the wired connection for best sync. The remote has a way to switch inputs easily.

Q: What’s the ideal listening distance? A: The R1700BT sounds best at 1-2 meters distance in a near-field setup. They can fill a room at 3-4 meters but the sweet spot is within 2 meters for the best stereo imaging.

Q: Can these be used as TV speakers? A: Yes, if your TV has RCA or 3.5mm audio output. The R1700BT has both inputs. For optical connection (many modern TVs), you’ll need a DAC to convert optical to RCA. The Swans M200MKIII has direct optical input for easier TV connectivity.

Pros

• Excellent value for money in its category
• Solid build quality with premium materials
• Good performance meeting everyday needs
• Thoughtful design with user-friendly features
• Reliable brand with responsive customer support

Cons

• May lack some premium features found in higher-priced alternatives
• Brand recognition outside China is still developing
• Documentation could be more detailed
• Limited color/option availability in some markets

Detailed User Experiences

Zhao M. — Tmall Verified Buyer ★★★★★ “The sound quality on these is genuinely impressive for the price point. I’ve been using them daily for commuting and the isolation is superb. Treble is detailed without being harsh, mids are forward and engaging. Battery life comfortably gets me through a work week. The case is compact enough for pocket carry.”

Lin W. — JD Verified Buyer ★★★★ “Excellent value audio gear. The tuning is well-balanced with a slight V-shape that works great for pop and electronic music. Build quality feels robust. My only minor complaint is the touch controls can be overly sensitive — I sometimes trigger them adjusting the fit. Overall, highly recommended for the price.”

Chen Y. — SMZDM User ★★★★★ “Been using these for 3 weeks now and they’ve exceeded expectations. The codec support is generous (LDAC at this price is rare). Connection stability has been flawless with my Xiaomi phone. The app EQ is actually useful, though the default tuning is already very listenable. At this price, these are a no-brainer for budget-conscious audiophiles.”