Edifier are renown for making high-end, quality audio equipment with that premium touch. So when Nick messaged with the opportunity to get my hands on one of their products, you can bet your bottom dollar I jumped at the chance.
In this review, I’ll be taking a look at the Edifier R2000DB Desktop Shelf Speaker unit and seeing how it fares in a digitally obsessed lifestyle.
Included in the box:
- Edifier R2000DB Shelf SPEAKER unit pair
- Speaker fabric covers
- Optical connection cable
- Analog 3.5mm connector cable
- RCA connection cables
- Power lead
- Infrared Remote Control
- Instruction and warranty booklets
Technical Specifications:
- Total Power Output: RMS 24W × 2 + 36 W × 2
- SNR: ≥85dBA
- Frequency Response: 55Hz-20KHz(±3db)
- Channel Separation: ≥45dB
- Tweeter Unit: Φ25mm Ru-Fe-B silk dome，6Ω
- Full Range Unit: 5.25″ alloy，4Ω
- Physical Dimensions: 174×289×252mm
In testing this unit, I used a variety of different mediums including gaming, music, streaming video, and Windows desktop sound tester – the test that generates a noise for left, right, and surrounding speakers.
For music, I chose music from the metal and electronic genres, featuring the new album by Fleshgod Apocalypse, “King”, and the Killer Instinct Season One soundtrack by Mick Gordon.
Music by Fleshgod is slightly hit and miss depending on the sound device you’re playing it on. With most other sound devices, the drumming sounds can sometimes feel a bit muddied and not as defined as intended. It’s the difference between knowing that the sound is there as part of the mixed track, and knowing the sound is there and hearing it in every detail as though you’re in the studio as it’s being recorded.
For gaming, I tested a multitude of games including SMITE, Hitman, The Elder Scrolls Online, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and a few others.
While gaming, I enabled the virtual surround sound option in Windows Sound Playback options, which is impressive in quality. Playing SMITE’s arena mode with the roaring crowd in all directions, with being able to hear combat taking place around me provided a great benefit to gameplay. The surround option works brilliantly regardless of the acoustics of the room.
In all circumstances, the sound will only be as good as its original source. With that said, I have no complaints regarding the audio quality.
The controls that allow you to adjust the R2000DB’s are located in the back of the right-side speaker. On their default values, everything is clear and defined and not too bassy – however, after a few days, I turned the based on full much to the annoyance of my wife. With the bass on, this thing hammers through walls – it’s great.
The unit was incredibly easy to set up, with only three connections necessary to get it functional. You have the right-to-left speaker connection cable that provides both power and audio (which can only be fitted in a single direction, eliminating user error), a power connection, and a choice of either optical or analog input for receiving audio.
One small note regarding the labeling on the connecting speaker outlet: on the right speaker where the base, treble, and balance controls are situated – it reads above the outlet “left speaker”, which slightly confused me when the sound channels were swapped around.
After some interpretation, the socket was labelled for the connecting coming in from the left speaker, which means the speaker with the controls belongs on the right. Just a small bit of criticism in regards to labeling: keep it simple.
The design of the speaker unit seems to fit exceptionally well, regardless of where you’re using it. The sides of the speaker enclosure feature a glossy finish, with a matte front and back panel.
You can choose to have the included material speaker cone covers on or off, which is entirely personal preference. I opted to keep them off because it made my PC looks like an sound design studio.
The unit looks great next to my 23 inch monitor, and fits in with both matte and glossy finish peripherals and devices.
Conclusion:
The Edifier R2000DB Desktop Shelf Speaker unit is a high quality audio experience with the visual aesthetic to boot. The purchase of the unit can seem a little expensive, but you’re paying for the features and sound quality, which is worth the asking price on its own.
With it’s crisp high-definition audio, amazing surround capabilities, and the inclusion of bluetooth streaming, the R2000DB’s should be high on your Christmas list if you’re an audio enthusiast (or audiophile, whichever you prefer).
I’m going to be very sad to return the loan unit that was sent to me, but when the wallet permits, I’m buying a set at the first opportunity.
The Edifier R2000DB retails for around $369.95 on their website.