Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers 66W RMS Review (2026)

Who these speakers fit

The R1700BT suits a listener who wants a self-contained, powered stereo pair rather than buying a separate amplifier and passive speakers. Rated at 66W RMS, it fills a medium-sized bedroom, home office or living room comfortably, more than smaller Edifier models built for a desktop. Because Bluetooth is built in, it also works as a general listening setup for phone or laptop streaming alongside a turntable, provided the turntable already outputs a line-level signal rather than a raw phono signal. It suits a buyer prioritizing one simple powered pair with a remote for volume control over building a multi-component stereo system. Anyone who specifically wants a phono input on the speakers themselves, or the newest Bluetooth version in the R1700 line, should look at a different Edifier model.

What the R1700BT offers

Each speaker in the pair houses a 19mm dome tweeter and a 4 inch bass driver, built into a wooden cabinet Edifier positions between a desktop speaker and a full bookshelf speaker in size. Rated output is 66W RMS combined, delivered through a built-in amplifier so no separate receiver is needed to drive them. Bluetooth handles wireless streaming from a phone or tablet, while a wired remote or physical controls manage volume and input switching from across the room. Independent reviewers have noted that the amplifier section has enough headroom that the pair sounds louder and cleaner than its rated wattage alone might suggest, with built-in signal processing helping keep distortion in check even at higher volumes.

Living with it day to day

Because there is no phono input built into the R1700BT, a turntable needs either a built-in preamp of its own or an outboard phono stage before connecting to the speakers' line-level input. Once wired in, day to day operation is simple: switch inputs between the turntable, Bluetooth and any other connected source using the included remote, which also handles volume from a listening chair. Bass and treble adjustment is available for tuning the sound to a room, useful since placement against a wall or in a corner can add unwanted low-end bloat. Being self-powered, the pair needs only a standard power outlet near one of the two cabinets, simplifying setup compared with running speaker wire from a separate amplifier across a room.

Trade-offs and how it compares

Edifier has since released the R1700BTs, an updated version with newer Bluetooth hardware that reviewers and owners generally describe as offering better range and a more stable wireless connection than the original R1700BT reviewed here. Stepping up in price, the Klipsch The Fives adds HDMI-ARC connectivity and a more premium finish, while stepping down, Edifier's own R1280T offers a simpler wired-only pair at lower power. The R1855DB sits between these, adding an optical input alongside Bluetooth. For a buyer who does not need the newest Bluetooth chipset and is comfortable with the R1700BT's existing wireless performance, the practical listening experience remains close to its updated sibling at a typically lower price.

Verdict and who should pick something else

With a score of 8.4 out of 10, the R1700BT delivers real room-filling sound and Bluetooth convenience in a self-powered pair, making it a sensible core of a simple turntable and streaming setup. It fits a buyer who wants one powered pair rather than a multi-component system, and who does not mind pairing it with an existing phono preamp or a turntable that already has one built in. Anyone who wants the latest Bluetooth version should look at the R1700BTs instead, and anyone wanting HDMI or optical connectivity for a home theater style setup should consider the Klipsch The Fives or Edifier R1855DB.

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