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These Affordable Bookshelf Speakers Are Meant to Make Hi-Fi Easy

The versatile speaker system is designed for hi-fi enthusiasts and budget-conscious audiophiles.

A wooden turntable with copper-colored legs is placed on a light wood surface, flanked by two bookshelf speakers with light wood sides and white front panels. Each speaker has a black tweeter and woofer, with the left speaker labeled "EDIFIER" and the right speaker labeled "CLASSIC." The background features a light gray wall and a white curved architectural detail.Edifier
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By Tucker Bowe

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For nearly three decades, Edifier has built a reputation for making some of the best passive and active bookshelf speakers.

And now, the popular audio manufacturer is introducing a new and improved version of its already popular S880DB powered speaker system. It promises to deliver an even better sound, while still maintaining a sub-$400 price tag.

Edifier S880DB MKII

Two compact speakers with white fronts and wooden sides are placed on a light wooden table. Between them is a wooden turntable with a transparent dust cover, partially open, and a vinyl record on the platter. A small round white remote control is also on the table in front of the turntable. The background features sheer white curtains and a window showing green foliage outside.
The Edifier S880DB MKII is a powered speaker system.
Edifier

Plug-and-play

Like its predecessor, Edifier’s S880DB MKII is a powered bookshelf speaker system — consisting of one active and one passive speaker — with built-in Bluetooth for streaming and multiple inputs for connecting a wide range of sources.

Essentially, it’s a versatile plug-and-play system that can be used in a variety of ways.

Rear panel of an Edifier S880DB MKII multimedia speaker showing various input and control options. It includes volume/source, treble, and bass control knobs, two sets of RCA line inputs labeled "Line In 1" and "Line In 2," a coaxial input, a power switch, a power input socket, and a speaker output connector. The panel also features labels for Hi-Res Audio and other certifications.
They feature one active and one passive speaker.
Edifier

Upgraded drivers

That said, Edifier has given these MKII models quite the upgrade. On the outside, the speakers have a more curved, elegant design, but the real improvements are on the inside.

Each two-way speaker features a new 1.25-inch titanium dome tweeter, which has a larger voice coil and neodymium magnets, as well as a redesigned 3.75-inch mid-bass driver that, according to the brand, “extends bass to 50Hz, ensuring balanced mids and powerful lows.”

A modern wooden TV stand with four drawers and two open shelves, holding two white bookshelf speakers and a small round white device. A flat-screen TV mounted on the wall above displays a music playlist interface with a mountain background. The room has light-colored walls and flooring, with sunlight casting shadows on the floor.
With multiple connections, you can use them as powered speakers for your TV, turntable or computer.
Edifier

Audiophile sound

Furthermore, they’ve been upgraded with Texas Instruments chipsets and a XMOS XU216 processor, which allows them to play high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96kHz (via analog inputs) and 24-bit/192kHz (via digital inputs).

Additionally, the MKII versions have built-in Bluetooth 5.3 with support for LDAC, so you can stream the highest-resolution audio over Bluetooth (given that your source device supports LDAC as well).

Two Edifier speakers with a light wood finish and white front panels are placed on a round wooden table. One speaker shows the front with a tweeter and woofer, while the other shows the back with various input/output ports and control knobs. A hand is reaching towards a small, round, silver remote control on the table.
The Edifier S880DB MKII come with a battery-powered remote, which can be used to control playback.
Edifier

As with many of today’s powered speaker systems, the S880DB MKII is designed to be versatile. It features USB-C, optical, coaxial and dual RCA inputs, allowing you to use them as powered speakers for your computer, turntable (with a built-in phono preamp) or even your TV.

There’s also a subwoofer out port, in case you want to add an external subwoofer and build out your system.

Price and availability

The Edifier S880DB MKII powered speaker system is available now from Amazon and the company’s website.

The speakers come in one color, white (shown), and cost $399/pair.

About the Author: Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. With a passion for consumer tech and hi-fi, he tracks everything from headphones and turntables to smartphones and wearables. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

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