Edifier S2.1D Review
Reviewer: SheepStar
Manufacturer: Edifier Enterprises (
www.edifier.ca)
Model: S2.1D
MSRP: $110 CAD (Can be found on sale for $75 periodically).
Pros:
-2 way Satellite speakers with MDF enclosures (subwoofer is also MDF).
-Subwoofer can be laid flat or left standing (feet only for laying flat).
-Comes with 4 foot Optical cable, as well as stereo analogue – 3mm cable.
-Wired Remote.
-Non-gaudy appearance.
-Satellite speakers use real speaker wire that can be changed out for a longer run.
-2 Digital inputs (1 Optical, 1 Coax).
-Remote has many options (including some not normally found on 2.1 speakers).
-Satellite speakers and subwoofer feature removable grills.
-Decent bass output for 6.5inch subwoofer.
-Satellite speakers have a HUGE soundstage, and sound closer to small bookshelf speakers, rather then computer satellite speakers.
-Subwoofer makes a great foot rest.
Cons:
-No Headphone jack on remote.
-Port Noise on louder, lower frequencies(subwoofer).
-Satellite speakers are rather large.
-Satellite speakers many not be inline with your ears (only adjustment is 2 spikes).
-Subwoofer doesn’t beach whales when it plays.
Introduction:
Edifier is a Canadian based company, with its products produced in China (most likely). Like many companies these days, this business model is practical for the consumer as it saves money. Downside is the quality CAN be worse then the good ole home grown products. These speakers enter an already crowded market for computer speakers, so they need to stand out, and have features not found on the competition.
Well, they’ve definitely done their homework as far as having features; 3 different inputs (Analog, as well as 2 digital inputs), wired remote with Balance, Loudness, Treble, LFE, and Volume, as well as 2 driver satellite speakers with MDF enclosures. Never have I seen computer speakers with MDF enclosures for the satellites. On top of that, they connect the satellites with real stranded speaker wire. Now you’ll never have to worry if the wire is long enough, just grab some wire from your collection (yes, you have one) and supplement it with the original. No splicing, no mess. This is quite a feature list for a 2.1 speaker system retailing for only $110. With a 6.5inch powered subwoofer receiving 40WMRS, and each satellite getting 20WRMS, I should be in for a nice loud treat.
Specifications:
• Power Output:
Satellite Speaker: RMS 20Wx2(@ fo=1kHz, 10% THD, 2 channels loaded )
Woofer: RMS 40W (@ fo=60Hz, 10% THD, single channel loaded )
• THD+N (Amplifier): <=0.5% (satellite, @ PO=3W )
• Signal-to-Noise Rate (Amplifier): >=85dB(A Weighted)
• Input Impedance: 22K Ohms
• Frequency Response: 36-20k Hz
• Input Port: stereo RCA Line-in
• Controller: Volume, Super Bass, Treble, Loudness, Balance
• Woofer unit Impedance: 8 Ohms
• Woofer driver unit: 6.5 inch(D166mm), magnetically shielded
• Satellite Speaker unit Impedance: 4 Ohms
• Satellite driver unit: 3 inch (D90mm) paper cone, magnetically shielded, 3/4 inch cloth dome tweeter, magnetically shielded
• Dimensions: Subwoofer: 350(W) x 190(H) x 292(D)mm
Satellite Speaker: 105(W) x 192(H) x 100(D)mm
• Gross Weight: about 11Kg
• Power Requirement:
220V-240V ~ , 50/60Hz (for Model European/China/Korea/South America, etc.)
100V-120V ~, 50/60Hz (for Model USA/Canada/Japan )
MAX Power Consumption: 100W
Build Quality and Packaging:
The set comes packed in a cardboard box, with hard Styrofoam to hold the speakers and subwoofer in place. The other wiring and accessories are stored in the gaps between the speakers.
The speakers themselves are built very well. The satellites are MDF, and given their size, require no bracing. The subwoofer is also constructed out of MDF and has 2 chambers. One houses the driver and amp which then are ported to another chamber. This chamber finally ports to the listening room. One benefit of this design is the wall between the chambers acts as a brace. The satellites are sealed. One thing I would like to see changed is the non-flush mounted drivers. The grills use plaster frames and an acoustically transparent cloth to cover them with plastic push pins to hold it in place. Removing them isn’t easy, and I caution you before reefing on it as it could snap. Make sure you pull slowly and evenly.
The Remote is nothing too fancy to look at, but functions well, and has many features that would not normally be included with a 2.1 system. There is adjustments for Balance, Loudness, Treble, Bass (Referred to as LFE), and of course volume. There are only two controls on the remote, the volume knob, which adjusts the level for every function, and a FUN/POWER button which scrolls through the functions and turns the unit on and off when held down. After you are done selecting a function, the remote will default back to the volume function.
Setup:
When I first set these up, I went for the digital input (Coax). Analogue? Phhft, this is the 21st century. Well, the 21st century still has its kinks, and for some reason I was getting popping sounds from the speakers (could be the internal DAC). Switching to the Analogue cable fixed the problem.
Each satellite speaker is placed on each side of the monitor, and toed in slightly. The subwoofer is lying down, in my foot area under my desk, with the port 6 inches from the back wall. The bass level is just under half, and the treble setting is half. Balance is at center, and the loudness off. Speaking of loudness, this appears to be quite a useless feature. When activated (only on/off) it boosts the subwoofer, and completely drowns out the treble. If that’s your sound, great, but I will leave it off for the review.
SheepStar