Here at What Gadget, we have been reviewing a number of Edifier products from their TWS buds to overhead headphones and even their offering to the gaming headphone market. So when I was asked to review the S200MKIII bookshelf speakers it really did spike my interest.
First Impressions
What arrived was a massive box and I have to say very heavy which did provide me with some concern especially getting it upstairs. When I got these out of the box the speakers are very large and very heavy. You will notice them for sure and also something to consider they need to be on the same level as each other in regards to the cable connection and sound projection.
These speakers are designed for audiophiles who enjoy home listening or could be linked into a home mixing desk if that is what you enjoy in your spare time. We connected these to the TV in my son’s room that also has the PS4 as the S200 MKIII will be a good alternative to a soundbar. In testing, I was very impressed with how they made the sound hit you when playing games like Call of Duty: Vanguard, The Last of Us Part II or Uncharted 4. You can also connect these speakers via Bluetooth which is useful for linking up with a number of devices.
Cost
The Edifier S2000MKIII costs £389 via Amazon which is quite expensive when you consider the costs of other bookshelf speakers such as Edifier’s R1280DB costing £129.99 or the Cambridge Audio SX50 costing £179. So you can see the S2000MKIII are in the premium end of the bookshelf speakers.
Design
As mentioned these bookshelf speakers are significantly larger than your average bookshelf speaker. They are very heavy both speakers together weigh 17.1 kg so once you know where you’re going to put them you will only likely move them again if you move house.
The design of the speakers indicates they are well-built and also quite stylish they have a dark mahogany look on the sides that gives the speakers that 80s Hi-Fi look that reminded me of the sound system we had growing up. You can tell the speakers are built to last.
Moving to the front of the speaker they are covered by a grille that is removable if you wish. Moving to the base of the right speaker is an OLED LED display that indicates the volume level, sound mode and source. It’s nice to have but the positioning is a little annoying as the grille does block some of the display making it a little hard to view. As mentioned if you want to resolve this issue the grille is removable.
Moving to the base of the speakers you have 4 gold-rimmed feet that provide clearance so the speakers are not directly on the base, they also provide some security as the speakers are unlikely to slide. Plus the gold feet also add to that 80’s style.
Swinging around to the rear of the right speaker that is the main control panel with physical connections as well as some dials for adjusting the sound. You will notice there is a speaker out connection which is required for linking the left speaker. Also at the rear of each speaker is a bass port which provides a better bass response. The right speaker also has a power cable it’s non-detachable so be careful as if damaged it will cost you to get repaired.
(Top tip: keep the speakers as close to a wall as possible for that bass response).
You also get a remote control which is a little more stylish compared to the speakers. The remote control is very easy to use and comes with the playback controls you would expect and also the sound modes such as:
- Monitor
- Dynamic
- Classic
- Vocal
My only negative when it comes to the design is the weight and also the size they are very deep speakers at 342mm so if you’re going to buy these consider where you will put them first.
Features
The audiophile between us won’t be disappointed when it comes to these bookshelf speakers. In terms of features, they provide you with Bluetooth 5.0, support aptX-HD when listening to Hi-Res Music via the Tidal streaming app. In fact, they can accept Hi-Res music files up to 24-bit. Perfect for those using them as part of their music mixing set-up. Unfortunately, they don’t allow for a Wi-Fi connection or Airplay 2. However, they will accept PCM signals.
There are both analogue and digital connections you can use these speakers on a wide range of devices. You have that Bluetooth connection as well as 2 line input meaning you could link them to a number of products. In this case, I connected them to my TV & Playstation 4 combo but have also tested them using a CD Player. (I know how retro!)
In terms of the sound that is produced the S2000MKIII are using 5.5-inch woofers that offer 50W of power and is paired with planar diaphragm tweeters providing 15W of power. They are powered using a Class-D digital amp and a dual DSP processor that will manage the mids and treble with ease.
As mentioned there are 4 different sound modes:
- Monitor: This delivers somewhat a flat audio response.
- Classic: Provides you with more of a Hi-Fi sound
- Dynamic: Brings in more of the bass and offer a punchy and dynamic sound
- Vocal: Well that does exactly what it says on the tin the focus is on the vocals.
If you want to adjust things such as the volume or adjust the bass or treble you can do this at the rear of the right speaker.
Sound Quality
I have been testing these now for a few weeks and I was very impressed with the overall sound quality that really does focus on that mid-range. I have tested these listening to a wide range of music as well as playing games with these connected to my PS4.
When using these speakers for music which is their primary use I found a balanced and spacious sound profile. They really offer a very detailed sound, I did notice at points the bass could be increased and lacked depth.
When listening to something like “Hans Zimmer- Time” from the film Inception. I felt the bass was excellently delivered and in a tight and clean manner and also provides a good level of control no matter what the track.
When listening to a track like Alice Merton – No Roots the treble that comes out of these bookshelf speakers does feel a little short at the top end. When moving to the vocals and switching the EQ to Vocal the S2000MKIII naturally push forward a little more but just subtle enough. If you were to adjust the bass and treble at the rear of the right speaker that will enhance the vocals even more and offers an overall great sound.
As mentioned earlier in this review you can also use this speaker for other uses such as connecting to a TV and using them as an alternative to a soundbar. When we tested this out we played the film, Jurassic Park. These bookshelf speakers provide plenty of detail as well as an overall balanced sound. As the soundtrack gets to the middle and most recognisable part the soundstage becomes wider and the bass really makes you feel that you are part of the film.
The rhythm section of the track offers a pulsating beat and when the orchestra kicks in you instantly know it’s Jurassic Park and that 90’s kid inside gets excited again. The Speakers really push the track right at you offering that cinema experience from your own home they are that good.
Verdict
The Edifier S2000MKIII are a fantastic pair of bookshelf speakers that deliver a clear and detailed sound quality. I was also impressed with the design they brought back that feeling of my youth. They are not perfect as the display does get blocked by the grill a little but overall look great and look like they will last for some time if looked after.
I was also impressed with the versatility of the speakers allowing you to connect them to a CD player, alternative to a soundbar, connecting them to your gaming set up or using them as part of your music mixing setup. This is a real bonus in my eyes.
In terms of negatives, the main one with these speakers is the size and weight they are massive and very heavy so please consider where you will have them. The size is not for everyone but for the audiophile these issues won’t be a problem.
So overall if you can get past the size of these speakers you will be impressed by the sound especially when simply using them to listen to music. Yes, they could be an alternative to a soundbar and do a decent job however it’s not their main purpose they are designed to enjoy sweet music.
The style of the speakers might put some people off but overall considering the cost of £389.99 they tick a lot of boxes and if you’re looking for a pair of premium quality audio bookshelf speakers these have to be up for consideration.
Product Rating:
Design: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Connection: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Sound Quality: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Value for Money: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars – 4.5 Stars
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