Speaker system Edifier R980T: specifications and reviews

Although most users install their surround sound speakers with a primary TV, console or PC, many of them listen to music on a pair of good old speakers. In their opinion, stereo sounds better than sets 5.1 or 7.1. And in this you can agree with them. Of course, stereo speakers are of different shapes and sizes, and they are also made of different materials, but in the end it all comes down to the needs and, of course, to the means chosen for their satisfaction. For example, more powerful and expensive floor models are suitable for larger rooms, while less productive two-way speakers are designed for smaller rooms. With the exception of music lovers, most people will not spend a lot of money on stereo, and since floor-standing speakers take up too much space, a more compact model becomes an obvious choice. Edifier currently produces a large number of active shelf speakers, but its R980T, reviewed here, is aimed at satisfying the needs of consumers who want to get their hands on low-budget stereo speakers with good sound quality and excellent bass.

history of the company

Edifier specializes in high-end acoustics, distinguished by technological innovations and elegant design. The manufacturer provides listeners with superb sound thanks to a wide frequency range of speakers, speakers and music systems designed for both personal and professional use. Established in May 1996 in Beijing, Edifier is the brainchild of a small group of enterprising music lovers. Guided by the principle of "passion for sound", over two decades the company has developed into a world-class developer and manufacturer of award-winning speaker systems. The company's products are characterized by bold design and high quality, affordable to many. Today, Edifier operates worldwide through distributors based in more than 70 countries in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. The company annually produces 8 million units of products for home, consumer electronics and multimedia applications for PCs.

Unpacking

Packing Edifier Studio R980T is unlikely to impress anyone by its appearance, but it is large enough and immediately makes it clear that the speakers, despite the small form factor, can not be called small. The back of the box contains basic information about the speakers, which gives a general idea of the functionality of the speaker system. The set with speakers includes several cables, including standard connecting wires with red and black connectors, as well as a pair of audio cables. One of them has RCA inputs and outputs, and the other has a 3.5 mm input for connecting to a PC sound card or a portable music player. Since the main audio speaker at the rear has two inputs, you can simultaneously connect a computer and one more device.

Edifier R980T: design overview

The speakers themselves look ordinary. They are completely black, except for red points marked on the back panel. The front is dominated by a foam lid that can be removed, with the logo of the company printed on its lower part. The main body of the column Edifier is made of MDF, the whole surface of which is decorated with a black wood, which gives it a more expensive look. If you remove the polyurethane foam cover of the front panel, you can see the bass reflex and the speaker itself. The ability to shoot a decorative screen or replace it means that cleaning the speakers will not cause problems. All ports, controls and power connectors are located on the rear panel. There is a standard connection for the power cord and four audio inputs. Next to them are knobs for adjusting the bass and volume, as well as a power switch. The red and black connectors of the acoustic cable are located at the bottom of each monitor.

Specifications

Edifier R980T is a set of active speakers with a total power of 24 watts RMS (12 watts each) with a frequency range of 70 Hz-20 kHz, a signal-to-noise ratio of 85 dB and distortions not exceeding 0.5%. Each is made of MDF (medium density fibreboard) and is equipped with a 13 mm tweeter with a silk diffuser (4 ohms), a 106 mm woofer (6 ohms) and a calibrated phase inverter. In terms of connectivity, the Edifier R980T has two RCA inputs (4 ports), so the speakers can be connected to two devices simultaneously. Thanks to the two adjustment knobs located on the rear panel of the main speaker, equipped with a universal power adapter with a voltage of 110-240 V, you can adjust the overall volume and bass. The switch is located in the same place.

So, does the active speaker provide the parameters advertised by the manufacturer?

Testing

Users who tested the speakers listened to a lot of music, and also used them for games and watching movies. This allowed them to get a good idea of the sound quality of the speakers in different scenarios and gave enough time to check all the settings to achieve the best performance of the device.

The performance of an inexpensive system was pleasantly surprised. When it comes to games, Edifier speakers provide the necessary volume of sound, acceptable bass level and clarity, sufficient for the reproduction of explosions and shots. Similarly, they are coping with more peaceful games. The speakers are able to perfectly convey an eerie atmosphere, full of sounds of dripping pipes and creaking fans. "Xenomorph" sounds like more than ever, terrifyingly, which probably is the best estimate of Edifier acoustics.

The speakers provide sufficient volume, and can easily fill a small room with sound. A stereo effect, unless you use surround settings, is also excellent. Of course, the vertical stereopair was designed not only for gamers, it can also play music and, despite the relatively low price, does it extremely well. The speakers are struggling to give out bass, but for a budget system the sound quality is very commendable. For a perfect reproduction, something else is needed that can transmit the lower frequency range, since low-end LF tests have yielded nothing but a muffled hum, but the mid-low frequencies will satisfy the most demanding music lovers.

According to the feedback from users, the speakers are a good replacement for conventional speakers sold with the finished PC, and will be the cheapest way to dramatically improve the sound quality. Although it's strange to have a sound card that is more expensive than an acoustic system, but if you can buy it in the secondary market, then it's worth using - it can also help improve the dynamics and tighten the bass.

The LF knob on the back of the main speaker should be carefully adjusted. If you turn it too high, it will have a negative impact on the overall sound quality, and the bass will become less focused and flabby.

Evaluation of work

Acoustics Edifier R980T is produced for several years, but, unlike most enterprises in the industry, the technology that underlies the audio system has not changed at all. It is thanks to this that the columns are so affordable and show good mid and high frequencies that are not subject to distortion, with sufficient basses even for the most demanding consumers. However, they are not able to compete directly with systems 2.1 in terms of the LF level, although they may be able to surpass some really low-cost models, but for kit 2.0, acoustics works exceptionally well. Unfortunately, the built-in switching power supply does not provide enough power for the speakers, so when using, say, a media player, the user may remain unsatisfied with their volume. This, of course, largely depends on the signal source, since when connected to a PC, tablet or smartphone, for example, the sound power is good enough for Edifier R980T dimensions. Edifier R1100 42W RMS could be the solution in situations when the younger model can not cope, but at the same time the size and price of the device will increase.

Advantages and disadvantages

According to the feedback from users, the strengths of the speaker system are good build quality, crystal clear sound, relatively good low frequencies, the presence of an amplifier, sufficient sound power, which, however, depends on the source, dual RCA input, volume and bass controls, and Also a low price. However, discontent is caused by the lack of the ability to regulate the RF and the awkward location of control.

So is it worth buying Edifier R980T?

Users recommend purchasing this model if the budget is limited and you need to update the standard speakers supplied with the PC. The speakers can easily fill a small room with sound, and they reproduce surprisingly many low frequencies even without a dedicated subwoofer. In addition to loudness, they are unusually clear and well transmit the mid-range. Music, games and movies sound equally good. With more complex compositions, acoustics are worse, but it is impossible to be too critical given the modest price of the speaker system.

This model, probably, music lovers will not be interested. But if there is a desire to improve the sound of a laptop or a mid-level gaming system, without considering the use of headphones, the R980T will serve well. The build quality is very decent, and although the material of the case is simple MDF, the wood trim will not allow the columns to stand out clearly against the background of other equipment and peripherals. In general, the Edifier R980T is a great way to start a journey on the road to audio enhancement. This is only the first, but surprisingly large step for an acoustic system at this price.

conclusions

How much does a vertical stereo pair cost at retail? This is one of the strongest aspects of the model, as the manufacturer took a very aggressive marketing position, thanks to which the purchase of columns will cost only 69.99 US dollars. It goes without saying that for a great price you can find the best speaker system from Edifier or from other manufacturers. The R980T's speakers leave a good impression, but they are not able to reach the volume level that other shelf models give out. The build quality is good, the sound is quite clear, with a lot of bass, and all at a very good price.