The Edifier S730 speakers, while great, are also somewhat of a mixed bag. On one hand, they provide a great level of sound quality over many other speakers at their price point. On the other hand, the Edifier speakers don’t provide the full range of sound you might expect from speakers at their price. However, the package on offer does make it an enticing option for the discerning PC gamer.
Specifications
- MSRP: $449.99
- Total Power Output: RMS 75W x 2 + 150W x 1
- THD + N: 1-%
- SNR: ≥85dBA
- Frequency Response: Satellites: 160Hz - 20kHz; Subwoofer: 20Hz - 130Hz
- Distortion: ≤0.5%
- Input Sensitivity: Satellites: 650mV ± 50mV (PC); Subwoofer: 250mV ± 50mV (PC)
- Input Impedance: 10K Ohm
- Subwoofer / Bass Unit: 10 inch, magnetically shielded, 8 Ohm
- Midrange / High Unit: 3½ inch, Magnetically shielded, 4 Ohm
- Tweeter Unit: Φ25mm silk dome tweeter, Magnetically shielded, 6 Ohm
- Dimension: Satellite: 116mm x 203mm x 160mm; Subwoofer: 367mm x 397mm x 489mm (WxHxD)
- Weight: 28.00Kg (Net) / ≈0.00Kg (Gross)
First off, the Edifier S730 2.1 speakers come with two satellite speakers, a massive 10-inch subwoofer, a wired controller and a credit card-style wireless remote. With both a Coax and standard wired connections, the Edifiers can interface with many multimedia devices, as well as the main audio plugs on a PC. It would be nice to see a USB connection, simply for convenience as well as for set ups with additional speakers, but it’s not a necessity.
With such a large subwoofer you’d expect the speakers to be pretty bass heavy. However, the Edifiers provide such a large range of control that you can balance them for your optimal soundscape. In fact, some songs I’ve heard in the background of games I’ve played for over a decade appeared, giving new life to tracks such as the Rivendell theme in The Lord of the Rings Online. Additionally, games with amazing sound design, like DICE’s Battlefield 1, are amplified, lending a theater-level experience to the already stellar quality to the soundscape.
Unfortunately, the S730 isn’t without its faults. While it’s easy enough to set up, the speaker system is massive. This means players with smaller set ups, or an entertainment system such as mine (I have a built in counter in my living room which houses my system, meaning the Subwoofer didn’t have a place to go) aren’t optimized to really use the Edifier. My computer desk, though, is large enough to stow the behemoth, with the subwoofer sitting below my desk and the two satellite speakers flanking my monitor.
)
Additionally, while the Edifier is well balanced, specifically with a bass that doesn’t overpower, the mid-range leaves some to be desired. You can tweak individual settings and balance using the wired LED controller, but no amount of tweaking could really bring that mid through. Which is a shame because it meant some games, such as Conan Exiles, had NPC chatter really low, almost inaudible while playing them.
At $499, the price isn’t cheap. But the build quality and overall sound quality is there. I’ve used subwoofers on lower-end systems and while they were serviceable, the Edifier blows them out of the water. And while on on most PCs it might be overkill, the Edifier S730 made me look seriously at using more than just my Victrix Pro AF headphones all the time. As someone who listens to an eclectic slate of music, the Edifier performs well in a myriad of genres as well. Jazz made me feel like I was in a club, while the morose strings of Mozart’s Requiem - Lacrimosa never sounded more alive.
Final Thoughts
For anyone looking for a great speaker set up, the Edifier S730 2.1 Speakers are worth taking a look at. If you have the room for them, they make a great addition to any home office or gaming room - and if you’re able to use them in your entertainment center they could bring new life to your movies and music while entertaining. They aren’t cheap, especially with some surround sound options on the market, but definitely something that should be on your radar if looking to seriously upgrade your audio situation.
Pros
- Great bass and Sound quality overall
- Plenty of ways to hook up analog giving you the ability to use it on a multitude of devices
Cons
- Steep Price for 2.1 speakers
- Disappointing mid-range for speakers at this price.
