Edifier S355DB Review: Powerful 2.1 system with wi-fi subwoofer

Edifier S355DB in check: 150 watts of energy, Hi-Res sound, Bluetooth 6.0 and HDMI eARC for beneath 400 euros? Plus a wi-fi subwoofer with wi-fi connection. The new 2.1 energetic speaker system from Edifier is an actual problem for anybody for whom a 2.0 speaker system like the wonderful Edifier M90 (our check) isn’t sufficient. I’ve examined the S355DB extensively, on the PC, on the TV and as a music system. Here are my experiences.

Technical knowledge of the Edifier S355DB

Edifier S355DB check: Classic, timeless design

The Edifier S355DB optically follows the basic line of the producer: darkish fronts, facet wooden look in black or walnut decor, seen drivers with out cloth overlaying and barely rounded edges. The design is appropriate for the lounge and way more grown-up than typical PC audio system. No RGB, no aggressive strains, nothing that might impose itself on a front room or residence workplace. Anyone aware of different Edifier merchandise, such because the predecessor within the type of the S350DB or the S360DB collection, will instantly really feel at residence.

The workmanship is sweet. The MDF cupboards are neatly laminated, the satellites look compact sufficient for the desk with out trying like a makeshift answer. With its dimensions of 267 × 295 × 317 mm, the subwoofer is clearly a ground unit. It desires to be beneath the desk or subsequent to the TV cupboard, not on high of it. And due to its 5.8 GHz wi-fi connection, it could possibly do exactly that. The complete weight of virtually 14 kg makes this clear when setting it up.

The drivers on the satellites are seen and neatly completed: the 1.5-inch titanium dome on the high behind a finely perforated protecting cowl, and the three.5-inch long-throw midrange driver with a darkish aluminum cone and metallic mud safety dome under. This isn’t a token two-way design, however a stable basis. The bass reflex ports of the satellites are situated on the rear. This implies that a long way from the wall is acoustically obligatory. If you push the satellites proper up in opposition to the wall, you’re giving freely bass high quality.

The controls are situated on the facet of the energetic satellite tv for pc in a vertically recessed management recess with three rotary controls for degree, bass and treble. This is simple to achieve within the close to area, however is of secondary significance for TV operation at a better distance, the place the distant management takes over. One slight level of criticism: the connecting cable between the energetic and passive satellite tv for pc makes use of a proprietary multi-pin connection. This means reverse polarity safety and a clear connection, however restricted flexibility when changing or extending the cable.

Bluetooth 6.0, HDMI eARC and extra: fashionable options

The connection part of the energetic satellite tv for pc is the precise management heart of the system and that is the place the S355DB clearly shines in comparison with older or cheaper 2.1 techniques. On the again you will see that: HDMI eARC, optical Toslink enter, coaxial digital enter, USB-C, line-in through two RCA sockets and Bluetooth 6.0. There can also be the connection for the passive satellite tv for pc and the ability change.

HDMI eARC is especially related, as we already know from the M90. The connection not solely allows lossless PCM stereo transmission from the TV, but additionally prompts HDMI CEC – i.e. quantity management, muting and switching on/off immediately through the TV distant management. Once you’ve set this up, you’ll by no means wish to be with out it once more. Older optical connections, however, fall down badly: no CEC, no shared quantity.

USB-C as an enter is especially precious on a PC as a result of it permits you to utterly bypass the interference-prone analog mainboard output. A digital connection is a a lot cleaner alternative, particularly for boards with weak shielding or coil beeping. Optical connections additionally work, so long as an acceptable supply is on the market.

Bluetooth 6.0 with LDAC helps high-resolution wi-fi audio at as much as 990 kbit/s from appropriate Android units. Bluetooth Multipoint permits you to maintain two units linked on the identical time – helpful when switching between smartphone and laptop computer. Important to know: When multipoint connection is energetic, the system deactivates LDAC as a result of the Bluetooth bandwidth isn’t enough for each on the identical time.

Internally, the S355DB works with steady 24-bit/96 okHz DSP sign processing, an energetic crossover and a tri-amping structure. Each driver path (tweeter, midrange, subwoofer) due to this fact has its personal energy amplifier. The satellites are Hi-Res Audio licensed and the system as a complete is Hi-Res Audio Wireless.

The scope of supply features a 5-meter speaker cable, an optical cable, a 3.5 mm to RCA cable, a USB-C cable, distant management and energy cable. Only an HDMI cable is lacking. A small omission for a system with eARC, however it may be ordered at an inexpensive worth.

Simple operation of the S355DB

The Edifier S355DB is pleasantly uncomplicated in on a regular basis use. The rotary controls on the energetic satellites enable direct entry to quantity, bass and treble – with out an app, with out detours. The provided distant management is slim, black and purposeful. It gives supply change, quantity, mute and sound profiles – it’s indispensable for TV operation from a distance.

If you employ HDMI eARC, you too can use the TV distant management for quantity and muting. This works through HDMI CEC and makes the S355DB way more handy within the TV setup than techniques with a purely optical enter.

The Edifier ConneX app for iOS and Android provides enter supply switching, playback management, sound profiles and system settings. If you need, you’ll be able to create your personal EQ profiles and customise sound modes. The app is purposeful, however not a revelation.

It is especially helpful if you wish to change between the numerous inputs conveniently with out having to work your manner by means of the buttons. It doesn’t supply room correction or measurement features. Four preset sound profiles could be referred to as up immediately utilizing the distant management. Practical when switching between having fun with music within the night and gaming. The app makes the identical operate accessible with a greater overview.

Powerful sound with the Edifier S355DB

When you first change them on, the Edifier S355DB shortly make it clear that they aren’t supposed to be an analytical studio device. The sound system performs huge, highly effective and appropriate for on a regular basis use. With the goal of creating music, video games and film sound enjoyable. It achieves this very nicely for an entire system on this worth vary.

The satellites are surprisingly mature for his or her measurement. The mids are usually not hole or skinny, however current and clearly outlined. Voices are steady between the audio system, guitars have physique and acoustic devices don’t sound like plastic tins with wood stickers. The 1.5-inch titanium domes ship a transparent, current treble with out drifting into shrillness or over-sharpening the peaks. This is a pleasing tuning: clear, however not glassy.

However, the true character of the Edifier S355DB involves the fore with the subwoofer. The 8-inch driver offers considerably extra substance than the standard satellite tv for pc facet cubes of many PC units. Bass strains are given weight, low frequencies are usually not simply hinted at, however could be bodily felt. This is an actual profit for electronics, hip-hop, movie results and fashionable productions. At the identical time, the bass management delivers exact and balanced outcomes as much as medium settings; when you flip up the Swag… or Bass… up, you get numerous oomph. But then on the expense of precision.

On a constructive notice, Edifier has fastidiously balanced the satellites and subwoofer. At a average bass degree and a wise subwoofer placement, the transition between the items is pleasantly homogeneous. If the subwoofer is positioned unfavorably in a nook, the bass line shortly turns into wider than managed. For music, because of this voice replica in collection, podcasts and songs works convincingly. Voices are clearly separated from the remainder, S-sounds stay predominantly inside limits and the treble doesn’t tire throughout longer listening periods.

The system is especially spectacular on the PC: the stereo width of two bodily separate satellites can not actually get replaced by a soundbar. Gaming advantages from impact stress and clear left/proper localization. The identical applies to TV audio. HDMI eARC and the ensuing attainable integration into the TV system make the Edifier S355DB a severe soundbar competitor that provides clear benefits for music and true stereo width. What is lacking is a devoted heart channel for dialogs in offset seating positions and digital encompass results similar to Dolby Atmos. This stays the area of the soundbar.

Edifier S355DB check: Conclusion

The Edifier S355DB is a convincing and fashionable 2.1 system that retains the strengths of its predecessor and has made vital enhancements when it comes to options. The wi-fi subwoofer solves an actual on a regular basis downside, HDMI eARC makes TV integration as handy as with a soundbar, USB-C and LDAC are welcome. In phrases of sound, the S355DB delivers what you’ll count on from an excellent 2.1 full system: width, stress and dynamics that clearly surpass typical PC audio system and lots of soundbars on this worth vary.

The tuning is geared in the direction of enjoyable and suitability for on a regular basis use, not analytical sobriety. If you know the way to make use of the bass management and the positioning, you’ll get a really entertaining, wealthy sound. Anyone anticipating a studio monitor or the final word hi-fi declare ought to look elsewhere.
For the worth, the Edifier S355DB is a powerful argument for anybody who desires an actual stereo base, a severe subwoofer and fashionable connections in a single system. Without an AV receiver, with out cable chaos, with out a separate energy amplifier.

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