If you’re looking for bookshelf speakers in the 1-2 million rupiah range, you’ve probably been torn between the Polytron PH-S5B and Edifier MR3. Both speakers are equally attractive, but they have quite different characteristics. The Polytron PH-S5B comes as a local product offering thunderous bass and comprehensive features at a more wallet-friendly price. Meanwhile, the Edifier MR3 takes a studio monitor approach with more neutral sound and Hi-Res Audio certification. Well, this article will help you decide which one best suits your audio needs.
Verdict Editorial
Sintesis opini reviewer gadget yang menyoroti kelebihan dan kompromi utama.
Polytron PH-S5B is perfect for those who love punchy bass and need complete connectivity on a tighter budget. Edifier MR3 is ideal if you prioritize vocal clarity, neutral tuning, and longer warranty.
Choose Polytron PH-S5B if:
- You want bigger, more exciting bass for listening to music or casual gaming
- You need a USB-A port for flash drives or as a DAC
- You’re looking for a cheaper price but still get complete features like control app and EQ modes
Choose Edifier MR3 if:
- You prioritize vocal clarity and flat tuning for monitoring or editing
- You need a 3.5mm headphone output and balanced TRS input
- You want a longer warranty (3 years in Indonesia) plus Hi-Res Audio certification
Final verdict: Edifier MR3 is superior if you’re looking for sound accuracy and clarity, while Polytron PH-S5B is the right choice if you like fun bass on a tighter budget.
Specification Comparison Table
| Specification | Polytron PH-S5B | Edifier MR3 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Rp1,200,000 | Rp1,600,000 - Rp1,819,000 | Polytron PH-S5B |
| Total Power Output | 100W RMS | 36W (18W x 2) RMS | Polytron PH-S5B |
| Driver | Data not available | 3.5" mid-low + 1" silk dome tweeter | Edifier MR3 |
| Frequency Response | Data not available | 52Hz - 40kHz | Edifier MR3 |
| Bluetooth | v5.0 (SBC) | v5.4 (SBC) | Edifier MR3 |
| Input | AUX 3.5mm, RCA, Optical, USB-A, Bluetooth | Balanced TRS, RCA, AUX 3.5mm, Bluetooth | Edifier MR3 |
| Additional Output | Subwoofer Out | Headphone Out 3.5mm | Tie in this aspect |
| EQ Control | Bass, Treble knob + 2 presets (Desktop Mode, Bazooke) | Bass & Treble knob + 6-band app EQ + room compensation | Edifier MR3 |
| Remote Control | Yes | No | Polytron PH-S5B |
| App | Polytron Audio Connect | Edifier ConneX | Tie in this aspect |
| Warranty | 1 year | 3 years | Edifier MR3 |
| Certification | None | Hi-Res Audio (24bit/96kHz) | Edifier MR3 |
| Dimensions (per unit) | 14cm (W) x 24.4cm (H) x 18.7-20cm (D) | 12.55cm (W) x 22cm (H) x 17.6-18.5cm (D) | Edifier MR3 |
| Total Weight | ~5.5 kg | 3.85 kg | Edifier MR3 |
Why These Two Speakers Are Often Compared
Polytron PH-S5B and Edifier MR3 both target the active bookshelf speaker market for desktop and small rooms in the 1-2 million rupiah price range. Both have modern connectivity—Bluetooth, optical input, manual bass-treble control—making them attractive choices in their class.
What’s interesting is their sound design philosophies are quite different. Polytron PH-S5B is designed with a bigger, more fun bass character, suitable for casual users who like music with strong thumps. Meanwhile, Edifier MR3 adopts a studio monitor approach with flatter, more neutral and accurate tuning—more suitable for those serious about audio quality.
The price difference of around Rp400,000-600,000 also makes them frequently compared. Many wonder: is that difference worth it for the features and sound quality offered?
Price and Value for Money Comparison
Polytron PH-S5B is priced at around Rp1,200,000, while Edifier MR3 sells in the range of Rp1,600,000 to Rp1,819,000 in Indonesia. The difference is significant, but you need to check what you get from each product first.
In terms of power output, Polytron PH-S5B claims 100W RMS—much bigger than Edifier MR3’s mere 36W RMS. But don’t be fooled, wattage doesn’t always mean louder or better. Edifier MR3 with 36W RMS can reach 92.5dB SPL at 1 meter distance, which is loud enough for small to medium rooms.
Polytron PH-S5B offers a more complete package at a cheaper price: remote control, preset EQ modes (Desktop Mode and Bazooke), USB-A input, and subwoofer output. But there’s a catch—the sales package doesn’t include any input cables at all. So you have to buy USB, optical, or AUX cables separately.
Edifier MR3 doesn’t provide a remote, but comes with a 3.5mm headphone output, balanced TRS input for professional connections, and Hi-Res Audio certification. What’s interesting is the 3-year warranty from Edifier Indonesia’s official distributor is a significant added value compared to Polytron’s 1-year warranty.
Winner: Polytron PH-S5B if you’re looking for pure value for money at a cheaper price with more features. But Edifier MR3 is superior if warranty and build quality are important considerations.
Sound Quality and Audio Characteristics Comparison
Based on various reviews and measurements, Polytron PH-S5B has a warm sound character with big, fun bass, especially in the mid-bass range of 80-100Hz. Its tonality tends to be muddy and boxy—typical of cheap speakers—but doesn’t sound harsh or piercing to the ears. Vocals are clear enough for listening to music, though less clear for movie dialogue. Its frequency response shows several peaks and dips in the mid and treble areas, so the sound isn’t completely neutral.
Desktop mode cuts mid-bass at 140-150Hz to reduce booming in small rooms, while Bazooke mode adds sub-bass at 40-70Hz. The combination of both modes usually gives the best balance.
Edifier MR3 is a different story. Designed with a studio monitor approach, its frequency response is flat from 52Hz to 40kHz. The result is neutral and transparent sound. Its bass is controlled and tight, though not as deep as Polytron because roll-off starts below 52Hz. Vocals and mid-range are very clear and natural, without excessive coloration. Treble is smooth and extended without sibilance, though there’s a slight emphasis in the 9-12kHz area that can make cymbals sound more aggressive on some tracks.
Edifier MR3’s soundstage is wider and well-organized—perfect for monitoring or listening to music with high detail. Polytron PH-S5B also has a fairly wide soundstage, but less precision in imaging and separation.
Winner: Edifier MR3 for clarity, accuracy, and bass control. Polytron PH-S5B wins if you’re looking for fun bass and a warmer character that’s more enjoyable.
Connectivity and Ease of Use Comparison
Polytron PH-S5B is really complete in terms of connectivity: AUX 3.5mm, RCA, Optical, USB-A (for flash drives or as DAC), Bluetooth 5.0, and subwoofer output. The Polytron Audio Connect app allows smartphone control to switch sources and EQ presets. Remote control is also included, making it very easy to operate from a distance.
But there are drawbacks: no input cables are included in the package, and the USB-A port doesn’t support A-to-C cables. So if you use a Macbook or modern PC, you need to buy a converter or A-to-A cable separately. There’s also no headphone jack output, so if you want to use headphones you have to unplug the speaker cable first.
Edifier MR3 provides balanced TRS input (for professional connections to audio interfaces or mixers), RCA, AUX 3.5mm, and Bluetooth 5.4. What makes it different is the 3.5mm headphone output—so you can easily switch between speakers and headphones without unplugging cables. Bluetooth 5.4 also supports simultaneous connection to two devices, making it easy to switch between audio sources.
The Edifier ConneX app offers more detailed 6-band EQ, two presets (Studio and Music), plus room compensation control to adjust sound to room acoustics. Unfortunately, Edifier MR3 doesn’t come with a remote control—all controls must be via knobs on the back of the speaker or through the app.
Winner: Tie in this aspect. Polytron PH-S5B excels in number of inputs and remote control, while Edifier MR3 excels in connection quality (balanced TRS, Bluetooth 5.4) and headphone output.
Design, Build Quality, and Practicality Comparison
Polytron PH-S5B sports a minimalist design with a seamless black body. Dimensions per unit are about 14cm (W) x 24.4cm (H) x 18.7-20cm (D) with a total weight of around 5.5kg. The design is quite compact for a desk, though there’s no included stand—so you need to ensure the tweeter is level with your ears for optimal results.
All controls (volume, bass, treble) and on/off switch are on the back of the active unit, which can be a bit troublesome if the speaker is placed near a wall. Vents on top help air circulation for the internal amplifier. Build quality is quite solid for this price segment, though there’s no detailed information about cabinet materials.
Edifier MR3 has more compact dimensions: 12.55cm (W) x 22cm (H) x 17.6-18.5cm (D) with a total weight of 3.85kg. The cabinet is made of MDF which effectively reduces distortion and resonance. The design is more professional with a dimpled tweeter waveguide for more even high-frequency dispersion. Available in two color options: black and white.
Bass and treble controls are also on the back, with an adjustment range of ±6dB at 125Hz and 10kHz. There’s no included stand, but its smaller and lighter size makes it easy to place in various positions. Edifier MR3’s build quality feels more premium with neat finishing and solid materials.
Winner: Edifier MR3 for build quality, better cabinet materials, and more compact and professional design.
Warranty and After-Sales Comparison
Polytron PH-S5B comes with an official 1-year warranty from Polytron Indonesia. The advantage of buying local products is Polytron’s service center network spread throughout Indonesia—so it’s very easy if you want to claim warranty or repairs. But the 1-year warranty duration is relatively standard for electronics in this segment.
Edifier MR3 offers a 3-year warranty from Edifier Indonesia’s official distributor (PT. Harman Indonesia). This longer warranty gives greater peace of mind, especially for electronics used daily. Unfortunately, Edifier’s service center network isn’t as extensive as Polytron’s—so if you live outside major cities, you might need to send the unit to the nearest service center for warranty claims.
Both products only have warranty if purchased from official stores or authorized dealers in Indonesia. Parallel imports aren’t covered by warranty.
Winner: Edifier MR3 for much longer warranty duration (3 years vs 1 year), though Polytron excels in ease of service center access.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy Polytron PH-S5B if:
- Your budget is maximum Rp1,200,000 and you want a speaker with complete features
- You like big, fun bass for pop music, EDM, or casual gaming
- You need USB-A input to play music from flash drives
- You want subwoofer output to upgrade your audio system in the future
- You prioritize ease of service because Polytron’s network is more extensive
- You don’t mind warm sound character that isn’t completely neutral
Buy Edifier MR3 if:
- You prioritize vocal clarity and sound accuracy for monitoring, editing, or listening to music with high detail
- You need headphone output for easy switching between speakers and headphones
- You want balanced TRS connection for professional audio setup or home studio
- You want a longer warranty (3 years) for long-term investment
- You prioritize build quality and better cabinet materials
- Hi-Res Audio certification is important for you who listen to high-quality audio files
Conclusion
Winner Recap per Category
- Price: Polytron PH-S5B (cheaper by ~Rp400,000-600,000)
- Power Output: Polytron PH-S5B (100W RMS vs 36W RMS)
- Sound Quality: Edifier MR3 (clearer, neutral, and accurate)
- Fun Bass: Polytron PH-S5B (bigger and punchier bass)
- Connectivity: Tie (Polytron has more complete inputs, Edifier has better quality)
- Build Quality: Edifier MR3 (MDF material, neater finishing)
- Warranty: Edifier MR3 (3 years vs 1 year)
- Practicality: Polytron PH-S5B (remote control, preset EQ modes)
TL;DR
Polytron PH-S5B is the best value for money choice for those looking for fun bass, complete features, and affordable price. Edifier MR3 is more suitable if you prioritize vocal clarity, sound accuracy, build quality, and long warranty—the price difference is worth the quality offered.
Verdict: Which One is Worth Buying?
For general users looking for desktop speakers with enjoyable bass and limited budget, Polytron PH-S5B is a solid choice. But if you’re serious about audio quality, often listen to music with high detail, or plan to use speakers for editing/monitoring, Edifier MR3 is a better investment despite the higher price.
Edifier MR3 wins overall thanks to better sound quality, superior build quality, 3-year warranty, and Hi-Res Audio certification. But Polytron PH-S5B remains an attractive choice for users on a tight budget who prioritize bass and complete features.
Alternatives if Neither Suits You
If your budget is more flexible, consider Edifier R1280DBs (around Rp2 million) which offers subwoofer output and more complete connectivity including USB. For those looking for a cheaper alternative, Edifier R1280T (around Rp1 million) offers Edifier sound quality with simpler features without Bluetooth.
FAQ
Q: Can Polytron PH-S5B be used for gaming? A: Yes, Polytron PH-S5B is suitable for casual gaming thanks to its big bass and fairly wide soundstage. But for competitive gaming that requires sound position accuracy, Edifier MR3 is superior.
Q: Is Edifier MR3 loud enough for a living room? A: With 92.5dB SPL at 1 meter distance, Edifier MR3 is loud enough for small to medium living rooms (around 20-30m²). For larger rooms, consider speakers with higher power output or add a subwoofer.
Q: Does Polytron PH-S5B support USB-C cable? A: Not directly. The USB-A port on Polytron PH-S5B doesn’t support A-to-C cables. Macbook or modern PC users need to buy a USB-C to USB-A converter or USB-A to USB-A cable.
Q: Which is better for listening to classical or jazz music? A: Edifier MR3 is more suitable for classical and jazz music thanks to vocal clarity, better instrument detail, and neutral tuning that doesn’t color the original sound of recordings.
Q: Can both speakers have a subwoofer added? A: Polytron PH-S5B has subwoofer output so you can add an external subwoofer. Edifier MR3 doesn’t have subwoofer output, so you can’t add a subwoofer directly.
