Choosing acoustics is not an easy task. The entire sound sphere is based on subjectivity and shaky assessments, so you need to approach the choice comprehensively, taking into account, so to speak, all the components of the future picture. For example, a multi-component system with a huge subwoofer looks good in the store, but if there is no space in the room to accommodate it, then the purchase is meaningless. The same goes for ergonomics, ease of operation and some technical characteristics. Therefore, it is first worth talking about the basic points that you should consider while the money is still in your pocket.
Choosing multimedia acoustics
Main technical characteristics and features
System type
The first thing you need to decide is the type of system. Acoustics can be stereophonic (with two identical speakers - 2.0) or multi-component (with a subwoofer). In turn, multicomponent systems differ in the number of satellites. There can be two of them, then you get a regular stereo plus a subwoofer (2.1), or five at once, which is typical for home theaters (5.1). You can talk about the correctness of the choice for a very long time, but in general case the most universal option would be system 2.0. Stereo systems of normal size and power are good for listening to music, games and movies. In general, for everything. Triphonics (2.1) are for the most part a compromise: small satellite speakers are equipped with a subwoofer, since they fundamentally do not reproduce bass. Six-channel systems (5.1) are designed for organizing home theaters, namely for building the most accurate scene with clear positioning of sources. For this there are front speakers, rear speakers and a center channel.
frequency range
Frequency range is the main characteristic of any speaker system. It is he who indicates its initial property - the ability to reproduce sound. Naturally, the wider it is, the better for forming the final picture. The greatest difficulty for acoustics lies precisely in the lower limit, since the physical dimensions of the speaker must be comparable to the wavelength. To put it simply, it should be big. Based on subjective feelings, we can say that a system in which the size of the low-frequency head is 4–5 inches can produce more or less high-quality bass. In this case, the lower frequency limit will lie around the 50 Hz mark. With the top of the frequency coverage, everything is much simpler. Any speaker with a high-frequency speaker can easily play 18…20 kHz, which exceeds the capabilities of the human ear. Work in the ultrasonic range in the context of multimedia acoustics can not be considered. The problem lies elsewhere: it is rare that a manufacturer honestly indicates frequency limits, usually limiting itself to the standard 20–20,000 Hz. There is only one recommendation here: listen, trust reviews from trusted sources, or better yet, look at the frequency response graph.
Power
Power no less characterizes the capabilities of acoustics. The higher it is, the louder the sound will be. But there is a nuance. There are a lot of power measurement methods and standards, and as a result, speakers with 10 watts can sound louder than those with a hundred. Therefore, we recommend that you treat these figures with caution and strictly link them to physical parameters. For example, if we say that the heavier the acoustics, and the more speakers installed in it, the more powerful it is, then we definitely won’t be mistaken.
Acoustic design
This primarily concerns the woofer. In fact, there are many options, but only proven, proven solutions are widely used. The most common is a bass reflex, when the head installed in the body communicates with the external environment directly and through a special pipe. We can say that the bass reflex type is the golden mean between power and quality. For example, a closed box (the name speaks for itself - a box with a speaker without any holes) plays more pleasantly in places, but is objectively weaker in terms of volume with the same initial data. A bandpass resonator, when we do not see the head itself, and only the bass reflex is brought out, on the contrary, is designed to obtain maximum efficiency. But in the latter case, a problem arises: the sound quality decreases, the setup requirements increase, and the system itself is highly susceptible to the influence of the room.
Materials
It is traditionally believed that the best material for making acoustic cabinets is wood. It's right. In the expensive segment, there are even disputes about the types of wood. But in the class of multimedia acoustics there is no real wood, instead it is MDF - wood-fiber board. The material is thick and rigid. Everything is clear with thickness. The higher it is, the better. Hardness also varies greatly from crumbly (this already indicates the use of chipboard and is typical for the most budget models) to extremely hard options.. Of course, in a store you can only check it by subjective indicators (knock, for example, and compare it with weight), and We can only hope that self-respecting manufacturers use good material. Plastic is considered a cheaper solution, but there are companies that prefer this material. It provides more opportunities for designers to realize their fantasies. With the proper level of manufacturing, plastic systems are not inferior to those made from MDF, especially in small volumes.
Ergonomics
If you choose the wrong color or design, you will quickly get used to them, but inconvenient controls will remind you of yourself every day. The most friendly option is classic resistive twisters. They retain the selected position in any state, and are not afraid of a dead battery in the remote control. An excellent development of this idea can be considered remote wired regulators. Undoubtedly, buttons are in fashion today, but many manufacturers are leaning towards the old, time-tested options. It's a shame that very few of them can implement them correctly. The main problem is that in 95% of cases all settings return to factory settings when the power is turned off. So be careful when you want to move the acoustics to another room or take them to the dacha in the summer.
Digital inputs and Bluetooth
Any multimedia acoustics was initially equipped with one or more analog inputs. This is how it continues to this day, but models with digital inputs and Bluetooth have already begun to appear on the market. Digital is very convenient to use for connecting advanced sources - media players or game consoles. A wireless interface Works great when paired with smartphones or tablets. In general, such options are undoubted advantages.
Radio and player
The presence of an FM radio and a built-in player are options that are not useful to everyone. It is clear that chips that provide such capabilities are very inexpensive, so manufacturers often use them, especially in budget solutions. But if you can still understand the radio - why not listen, then playing music locally from SD cards or flash drives in 2013 seems to us a little strange.
External amplifier
In most cases, it is a marketing ploy and does not provide any significant benefits. An exception is systems used for home theater, Where external unit can be placed anywhere, increasing ease of management.
Stereo systems - 2.0
Top Device TDS-505
Let's start a little unconventionally, since the Top Device company can hardly be called at least one of the leaders of the Russian market, and products under this brand are often thinly veiled copies that we saw many years ago.
Top Device TDS-505
If we talk about similarities, Top Device TDS-505 is very similar to F&D R223, although this brand is represented only in neighboring countries. However, this does not in any way detract from the merits of the 505 model. Yes, it is made a little archaically, but in the price range of “about 1500 rubles” we get excellent sound. Listeners note a flat midrange, not deep, but pleasant bass. In general, if you are choosing inexpensive acoustics for yourself or as a gift for an inexperienced listener, then this option is worth considering very carefully.
Konoos KNS-D600
The Konoos brand appeared on our market a couple of years ago, showing a rather aggressive policy. There are many interesting systems in the manufacturer’s model range, some of which we had the opportunity to test, and their main advantage is a very competitive price.
For example, almost the oldest model in the 2.0 line - KNS-D600 - costs only about 2,000 rubles. At the same time, the speakers are equipped with an almost full-fledged 4-inch woofer and an excellent dome tweeter with a fabric diffuser. The sound is quite detailed and pleasant. In general, it’s good that at least some of the newly formed companies have some kind of clear strategy for entering the market, and do not just order OEM batches in China with their logo.
By the way, Konoos has even more interesting models. For example, the KNS-D700 speaker system with an external KNS-UM700 amplifier. It sounds good, but there are assembly flaws, and the amplifier circuitry, which for some reason is completely discrete, is not perfect.
SVEN SPS-707
SVEN SPS-707 can be called one of the few successful models companies recently. Most of the new products look frankly weak, especially against the backdrop of past developments, which we will return to later. Despite its modest size and pop appearance, the acoustics play quite decently, one might even say beautifully and loudly. Eat remote management.
It would seem, what else is needed? But this is one example when good system spoiled by ill-conceived push-button controls. All settings are reset when the power is turned off, and if you find you prefer a slightly tweaked tonal balance, each power-up will begin with a preset.
Edifier R1280T
Edifier R1280T is a very interesting acoustics. Edifier generally has one of the most serious 2.0 lines on this moment, while the budget sector has not been updated for a long time. This model perfectly refreshed the overall picture. It turned out to be small in size, but this did not affect the sound. It's loud, detailed and beautiful. Naturally, speakers of this size only lack the lowest bass.
By the way, the speakers have an interesting feature, not uncommon for modern systems. Instead of a classic transformer power supply, a high-frequency pulse converter is used. According to subjective sensations, this does not affect the sound in any way. In general, if you need good compact speakers for your home, we recommend them.
SVEN STREAM R
Initially, the STREAM line came out somewhat controversial. The speakers showed quite normal sound quality, however, taking into account the technologies being advertised (and bi-amp is used here) and the success of the Royal series, it turned out somehow too pale. Bi-amping did not bring any obvious improvements. The sound did not become more beautiful or louder, so the question immediately arose - why? It remains open to this day.
The STREAM R version is a slightly modified version with wireless control. SVEN often uses such a development strategy when, to update model range, the existing model is equipped with a remote control. It remains to be noted that the acoustics are available in several sizes such as light or mega, so you can choose according to power and dimensions. And, of course, the price.
Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II
The Creative company has a rather non-trivial policy in terms of producing speaker systems, which turns out to be alien to most of our compatriots. And we can agree with this, since already for 3,000 rubles we want to see large speakers in MDF cases with large speakers. And here we are offered relatively small desktop speaker systems for almost 5 thousand.
CREATIVE GIGAWORKS T40 SERIES II
It is worth noting that the speakers are made of very high quality, and the excellent plastic is in no way inferior to the pseudo-wooden material. The sound is full and loud. However, alas, you won't hear real bass. This may only be a plus for residents of panel houses.
Edifier R2600
Edifier R2600 is a mid-budget speaker system aimed at picky users. It uses very impressive speakers by multimedia class standards and an advanced digital amplifier with separate channels. All this allows you to get a very good sound High Quality with good bass and real mids. Such acoustics can be recommended to people who, for some reason, have not yet matured into full-fledged Hi-Fi, but already have a formed point of view.
Without exaggeration, we can say that the R2600 is one of the most best systems in your class. Moreover, all the main competitors were released much later, and there are very few truly new models of this level.
microlab SOLO 6Cnew
These speakers can probably be called one of the longest-lived on the market. Over time, they have undergone a lot of technical changes, and the next round of evolution added convenient adjustment knobs on one of the side panels. This was expected, since it was precisely for the unclear controls that many criticized the previous generation SOLO 6C.
microlab SOLO 6Cnew
Once upon a time, these acoustics were considered a measure of quality in their price range, but today the competitors are very strong. SVEN contrasts Stream and Royal 2, Edifier's R2600 model looks great. And I must say that it’s time for microlab engineers to think about the next update.
Edifier R2800
It’s nice to even just talk about systems like the Edifier R2800, let alone listen to them. Without a doubt, this is the flagship today. And the fate of flagships, unfortunately, can be very difficult. The system is advanced in terms of electronics, and is based on a three-way circuit. The result is a sound that is truly worthy of praise. However, you will have to pay a lot for these engineering surveys - more than 10 thousand rubles.
And here we can draw an analogy with expensive production cars. Many of them are excellent from a technical point of view, but in general they are very unprofitable. Edifier R2800 has every chance to repeat this story, but no one is stopping an individual from buying them and enjoying them.
Three-component acoustics - 2.1
Edifier E3350BT
Edifier E3350BT is an excellent example of how multimedia acoustics can combine the most incongruous qualities. Trifonica is inexpensive - it costs about 3,400 rubles, but it has a bright, memorable appearance, the sound component is not strangled, and in addition there are several pleasant bonuses: a convenient wired control panel and a Bluetooth wireless interface.
However, we still consider the main advantage of the E3350BT model to be the fact that, with such a serious emphasis on the exterior, the speakers play. The satellites have a full set of speakers with dome high-frequency radiators. And the subwoofer can deliver full bass. In general, we recommend it - practical, convenient and pleasing to the eye.
microlab FC50
microlab FC50 is another design experiment from a well-known company. Outwardly it actually turned out quite well. This pseudo-retro style will fit well into the design of many modern interiors. A nice bonus will be the wireless control panel in the form of a puck.
But on acoustic characteristics The new product can be given a very average rating, the subwoofer let us down. It does not provide the desired volume and bass quality, for which, in fact, this element is part of 2.1 systems.
SVEN MS-3000
SVEN MS-3000 is another newest product. As you can see, the developers left without much attention to the appearance of the triphonic, which is characterized by the most classic features, but did a good job on the sound component.
The satellites are equipped with full-fledged mid-frequency speakers and fabric dome tweeters. The subwoofer has an acoustic design in the form of a closed box, in a word, initially we see preconditions in the direction of sound quality, not volume. But in the end the sound turns out to be very balanced, it didn’t let us down and maximum volume. The system can be recommended for purchase in conjunction with a computer or even a TV.
SVEN SB-550
And since we’re talking about use with TVs, we can’t ignore sound bars. They appeared on the market relatively recently, since large panels (LCD and plasma) have become widespread, and, as a rule, they have no sound. The trouble is that branded soundbars are sometimes unreasonably expensive. And SVEN became one of the first multimedia companies who began to correct this situation.
All the convenience of a soundbar lies in the design of the system, while in essence it is a classic 2.1 acoustics. The satellites are made as detachable parts of a collapsible housing about a meter long. It can be placed at the bottom of the TV or hung directly on the panel. Separating the speakers at such a distance allows you to get a small area of stereophonic effect. And the fact that the speakers are fully-fledged, again having dome HF heads with fabric diffusers, makes the sound nice.
The subwoofer generally communicates with the main part via a radio channel. No signal wires are needed to connect it, and you can place it near any power outlet in the room. It turns out to be a couple of thousand rubles more expensive than a conventional system of similar quality, but the convenience is worth it.
Edifier C2XD
Edifier C2XD - classic acoustics appearance with modern filling. The system has an interesting external amplifier with a function of automatic adjustment to the input signal level. Additionally, a full optical input is installed. For its operation, an expensive digital-to-analog converter Cirrus Logic CS4334 is used.
Our test laboratory hosted a variety of representatives of multimedia acoustics: from compact plastic stereo systems that fit in the palm of your hand to very large and expensive 2.1 format sets. Their price sometimes differs by an order of magnitude, but it should not be the only criterion when choosing: the genre preferences of the listener, the possibility of correctly arranging acoustics in the room, and the size of the room are also important.
Our new guest belongs to a rare class of multimedia three-way acoustics. We meet the model. If implemented correctly, a three-way audio system can outperform its two-way analogues in the mid-range. high frequencies, and it usually shows an advantage in the quality of the lowest frequencies. At high volumes, the tweeter of three-way speakers is also less overloaded thanks to increased frequency section.
This scheme has its own characteristics. Due to the presence of a mid-frequency speaker, the speakers are heavier and bulkier, requiring more space during installation. The speakers are spaced further apart than two-way speakers, so the optimal listening distance increases. All these observations are fully applicable to the Edifier Studio 7 (R2700) kit - it is clearly not intended for miniature rooms with an area of 8 square meters. How successfully it copes with its increased size and considerable price - we will tell you later.
Specification
|
3-way 2.0 format acoustics with front FI |
||
|
frequency range |
||
|
200 - 2,800 Hz |
||
|
2,800 - 20,000 Hz |
||
|
output power |
||
|
Distortions |
||
|
Channel Separation |
||
|
Signal to noise ratio |
||
|
Adjusting the tone |
||
|
Amplifier type |
Digital, class D |
|
|
Speaker diameter |
0.75 in / 19.05 mm |
|
|
4 inches / 101.6 mm |
||
|
6.5 inches / 165.1 mm |
||
|
Impedance |
||
|
Optical and coaxial S/PDIF, 2 x stereo RCA, IR receiver for remote control |
||
|
Dimensions |
Active column |
218 x 393 x 298 mm |
|
Passive speaker |
218 x 393 x 294 mm |
|
|
Total weight of the set |
||
|
Length of complete wires |
160 cm − stereo-RCA ↔ stereo-RCA |
|
|
Device page on the network |
||
Packaging and equipment
The very large packaging immediately hints that there are “adult” acoustics inside. On the front of the box there is an image of the new product and the included wireless remote control, the manufacturer’s logo and the model name. The gross weight is almost 19 kg, so it is better to carry the packed set together.
On the back of the package there are also schematic images indicating the availability of input RCA connectors, silk dome tweeters and remote control. There is also a photo of the controls, a strip with connectors, a cable for connecting a passive speaker and a remote control. There are also detailed characteristics, which are listed above in the specification table.
On the top edge of the box the equipment of the Edifier Studio 7 (R2700) model is listed.
It's good that the manufacturer did not skimp on cables. In addition to the paper warranty card and manual, the package included a remote control, cables 2 RCA ↔ 2 RCA, 3.5 mm jack ↔ 2 RCA, removable network cable and even optical S/PDIF packed in a separate plastic blister. Please note that it is not listed on the box.
Appearance and design
Edifier Studio 7 (R2700) speakers with dressed grills look strictly and thoroughly. The black vinyl wrap only enhances this feeling. Acoustics of this size can be called tabletop only with a very big stretch. Therefore, before purchasing, you need to make sure that there is something for it. free place in the room.
Having removed the grilles, we see speakers of a very serious caliber for multimedia acoustics. The flanges of each of them are recessed into the body. But now let’s pay attention not to them, but to the thickness of the walls of the case. According to the manufacturer, the thickness of the fiberboard boards used reaches 18 mm. This is a very important parameter, which indicates that the company tried not to skimp on the body, because with flimsy walls, body resonances will inevitably appear and the sound will acquire an unpleasant hum. IN in this case This shouldn't happen. Now about the speakers.
The 6.5-inch woofer cone is made of paper or similar material in a light silver color and is equipped with a black hard dust cap. The concentric circles should probably increase its rigidity. According to our measurements, the useful diameter of the diffuser itself was 120 mm or 145 mm together with the suspension. The bass driver plays from 50 Hz to about 200 Hz, where the mid-range four-inch speaker picks up the baton.
Its design and materials are generally identical to those of the low-frequency section. Here we just note that its presence should ideally provide better transmission of voice frequencies and reduce the load on the tweeter at high volumes. It plays up to approximately 2800 Hz. Even higher, the 3/4-inch dome tweeter comes into play.
Edifier states that its canopy is made of silk. Choosing such a material does not automatically mean that the tweeter will sound better: many much more expensive analogues are made of synthetic materials, but there are also silk ones. Although the most exotic material for a tweeter so far has become diamond.
The large bass reflex port of the Edifier Studio 7 (R2700) model is neatly placed on the front panel and is protected by a fabric mesh from foreign objects getting inside. The front location of the bass reflex allows you to move the speakers closer to the wall without causing unwanted hum and improves the sound of acoustics in small rooms.
The IR receiver of the remote control is located on the front edge of the active speaker. On right side The case has bass and treble level controls, as well as a digital volume control combined with an input selector. Below it there is an LED that changes color to indicate the currently active input and a sign for decoding.
On the rear panel of the active speaker there is a panel with connectors, including two analog stereo RCA, optical and coaxial S/PDIF inputs. Above the power cord plug there is a power switch and a reminder that the maximum power consumption does not exceed 150 W. The fixed cable for connecting to a passive speaker has a large cross-section and poor flexibility. It ends in an angled DIN connector in a metal housing.
The base of the speakers has legs made of soft porous rubberized material approximately 5 mm high.
When opening the active speaker, we note the presence of internal filler, similar to padding polyester, and the insulation of the midrange section in a separate compartment.
A protective fabric mesh is attached to a fiberboard chassis. It bends easily, so it provides more of a decorative than a protective function.
The remote control is covered with glossy black plastic on top and semi-matte silver on the bottom. It allows you to adjust the volume, mute and select the active input.
Testing and evaluating sound quality
To test the Edifier Studio 7 (R2700) speaker system, the following stand was used:
|
CPU |
Intel Core i5-2500K (Socket LGA1155, 3.3 GHz, L3 6 MB) Turbo Boost: enable |
|
Motherboard |
ASUS Z77-V PRO/Thunderbolt |
|
Sound card |
ASUS Xonar D-KARAX |
|
Microphone |
SAMSON C01U (SAC01UCW) |
|
RAM |
2 x 4 GB DDR3-2400 TwinMOS TwiSTER 9DHCGN4B-HAWP |
|
Storage device |
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS, 500 GB, SATA-300, NCQ |
|
Optical drive |
ASUS DRW-1814BLT SATA |
|
power unit |
Seasonic X-560 Gold (SS-560KM Active PFC) |
|
CHIEFTEC Libra LF-01B (minimum fan speed) |
Note the very good uniformity of the frequency response: even in the low-frequency range, the acoustics confidently play up to 50 Hz, and below that a smooth decline begins. Up to 4 KHz the graph is pleasing, but above that sharp drops begin, which can hardly be explained by the influence of our test room. Most likely, this is the “merit” of Twitter, responsible for this frequency range. After 10 kHz there is a significant roll-off that falls within the range of audible frequencies for most people.
Audition for different materials confirmed the viability of the three-lane design. The Edifier Studio 7 (R2700) acoustics, even in an unheated state, demonstrated a well-developed bass, in which we were unable to detect the overtones of the body even at high volumes. There were also no complaints about the mid frequencies: at any volume level they retain good detail for multimedia acoustics.
But the tweeter left some questions. In this range there was a noticeable detachment and lifelessness. Overall the sound was rough. This is probably how the rugged frequency response in this range, noticeable in the graph above, is perceived by ear. The effect does not disappear at low volumes, and it is not associated with excessive load on the tweeter: this speaker starts at 2800 Hz, and not from 1500-1800 Hz, like some two-way analogues.
Overall, Edifier Studio 7 (R2700) sounds very good in music genres where there is no obvious emphasis on high frequency range. So if your music library consists mainly of recordings with female vocals, you should definitely listen to the speakers before purchasing.
conclusions
The acoustics were only a short distance away from becoming the most interesting offering in its price range. A high-quality housing, a good amplification part and a set of worthy low- and mid-range speakers - all this can be included in the advantages of this model. The only thing that raises questions is the work of the tweeter, which is still not up to par with the other speakers in terms of quality. This is almost immediately perceived by the ear when listening to live recordings with vocals and string instruments.
But the price of this kit is set at a very interesting level. In fact, Edifier Studio 7 (R2700) is one of the most affordable representatives of three-way multimedia acoustics. At the same time, there are no visible traces of obvious savings both outside and inside (with the exception of Twitter). We recommend these speakers for mandatory review if you have allocated about $200 for the purchase. It is better to listen to such “giants” in a room of at least 12 square meters. But when installing them in a small room, you can achieve not an improvement in sound quality, but the opposite effect.
Article read 14275 times
| Subscribe to our channels | |||||
Three-way system with Class D amplifier
Production of the company Edifier often arouses increased interest, and after the publication of the results of our comparative testing of stereo speakers(in August 2012), according to the results of which the Edifier R2700 model received the title “Class Leader”, there were many discussions and disputes. Therefore, we decided to give a detailed description of these speakers.
Options
Edifier R2700(other name - Studio7) is a three-way acoustic stereo system with four switched inputs, two analog and two digital. The manufacturer claims to use high-quality speakers specifically designed for the R2700 and its “little brother” - the R2600 model, which is distinguished by the absence of a midrange speaker.
Another feature is the use digital amplifiers(class D), separate for each frequency channel.
You can get acquainted with the declared characteristics; we will provide a short list.
| Characteristics of active stereo speakers Edifier R2700 / Studio7 | |
| Frame: | |
| dimensions(H×W×D), mm | 393×218×298 |
| acoustic design | FI, front port |
| body material | MDF |
| Woofer: | |
| diffuser diameter, cm | 14,5 |
| suspension material | rubber |
| Midrange speaker: | |
| diffuser diameter, cm | 9,5 |
| suspension material | rubber |
| Tweeter: | |
| diffuser diameter, cm | 2 |
| material | fabric canopy |
| Output power, W (declared, RMS) | 128 (total) |
| Amplifier signal-to-noise ratio, dBA | 85 |
| frequency range | 50 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Retail price (Moscow) | $233() |
| - measured in our laboratory, taking into account protruding parts of the structure; values may differ from those shown on the manufacturer’s website. | |
About the package: this time we received a fully equipped copy, and, in addition to the speakers themselves, in a box made of high-quality cardboard with good printing design, we found two cables for connecting to analog signal sources (2×RCA to mini-jack and 2×RCA to 2×RCA, 1.6 m long), one optical 1.45 m long for digital sources, power cord 1.7 m long and remote control remote control with two AAA batteries. Plus, of course, a description in several languages, including Russian, and a warranty card. The optical cable is not mentioned in the kit list, but our sample had one.
The whole set weighs about 19 kg - a lot, and the box really lacks cutouts for gripping with hands when carrying it.
Design
The speaker cabinets, measuring 390 x 218 x 279 mm (H x W x D), are made of MDF laminated to resemble ebony. Protruding parts, including the grill, increase the dimensions to the dimensions shown in the table. The legs are round stickers about 4 mm high, made of fairly soft rubber, which slightly compresses under the weight of the speaker.
The removable decorative grille is made of loose fabric on an MDF frame and is attached to the front panel of the speaker using four plastic pin fasteners. The grille is installed on the column with a small gap, which not only makes it easier to remove, but also adds an additional touch to the unique appearance.
It should be noted: soft fabric bends easily, so no mechanical protection You can't expect any speakers from it, and it's best to keep speakers away from small children. Actually, the above applies to many models.
At the back of the active speaker there is a large cutout covered with a metal plate on which the connectors and boards of the amplifier part are fixed. There was no sealing gasket for this plate in our copy, but the manufacturer did not spare the padding polyester.
The MDF panels from which the speaker cabinets are made are both thick (15 mm) and quite dense. In the places where the speakers are installed, grooves are milled, thanks to which the speaker frames are flush with the plane of the front panel. The midrange speaker is covered with a MDF cap, in which a piece of padding polyester was also placed.
The acoustic design is a bass reflex, the cardboard tube of which (length 10 cm, diameter 50 mm) is brought to the front panel through a plastic socket with a protective mesh.
The woofer and midrange drivers are very similar: both have paper cones with a rubber surround and wave embossing, plastic dust caps, and the outside of the cones have a silver finish. The only difference is in diameter: 14.5 cm for the woofer and 9.5 cm for the midrange speaker. There are sealing gaskets at the joints with the front panel.
The tweeter dome is made of fabric, 2 cm in diameter. A sealing gasket is also provided.
Magnetic shielding: very good, color spots on a CRT monitor are barely noticeable, even if the speaker is placed close to the monitor.
Controls
As already mentioned, all input connectors - both analog and digital - are located on the rear panel of the active speaker. There is also a mechanical switch and a connector for the power cable, as well as a plastic-framed hole from which the cable for the passive speaker comes out. On the front panel there is only a remote control sensor, covered with a round plastic cover.
In the upper part of the right side wall of the active speaker there is a small niche with a plastic panel on which the bass and treble tone controls are located (with a fixed middle position), as well as a non-stop volume control. Digital adjustments, unlike analogue ones, avoid the characteristic crackling sound that occurs as the resistive layer of the regulator wears out. However, even with digital adjustments there is often interference in the form of an equally characteristic clicking sound, but in this case nothing like that is observed.
The inputs are controlled from the remote control, but the indicator of the selected input is located on the side of the speaker, below the tone and volume controls, and cannot be seen from any position. In addition, the selected input is indicated by color (orange, blue, red, green), so until the owner remembers the correspondence of colors and inputs, he will have to either look in the manual or look at the table available on the panel just below the indicator.
The poor placement of the indicator is all the more offensive because it shows not only the selected input: when adjusting the volume, it blinks, and when the minimum or maximum is reached, it starts to light constantly; In Mute mode the indicator also flashes.
But there are other disadvantages - for example, the last selected input is not remembered, and after removing the supply voltage (say, with a mechanical switch on back wall) the first analog input is connected, which corresponds to the red color of the indicator.
In addition, there is a noticeable click when turned on, but an even stronger click is heard when switching from any of the digital inputs to analogue, regardless of the volume level. When switching between analog or digital inputs, as well as when switching from an analog input to a digital one, this does not happen.
The adjustments are distributed between the remote control and the panel on the side wall: the tone is adjusted only from the active speaker, switching inputs and turning on/off the Mute mode is carried out only from the remote control, and only the volume can be adjusted both remotely and “locally”.
But the Standby mode in the R2700 is not provided at all, it is only possible complete shutdown speakers with a mechanical switch. Of course, a class D amplifier does not consume much in idle mode, but still this solution seems somewhat strange; most likely, it is dictated by the need to install a high-current relay in the circuit of the powerful winding of the transformer, which would increase the cost of the kit.
A little more about the remote control: it is powered by two AAA batteries, the shape is quite convenient, and so are the buttons. The sensitivity of the sensor, as noted in comparative review, very high - with fresh batteries you don’t have to think about the orientation of the remote control: signals reflected from the walls of the room are perceived from almost any position. The only drawback, in our opinion, is the glossy top surface, which will instantly become covered with fingerprints. For meticulous readers, we present the size of the remote control - 109 × 42 × 19 mm, and weight - 66 g (including batteries).
Electronics
The amplification part is made on one board, fixed from the inside to a metal plate that covers a cutout on the back side of the active speaker. Both analog inputs are also soldered on the same board.
The power amplifier is built on two TAS5342LA microcircuits - four-channel class D amplifiers, which in a bridge connection are capable of delivering up to 100 W into a 4 Ohm load, and in single-ended mode - up to 40 W into a 3 Ohm load (at KNI 
Both microcircuits are covered with a small radiator, which is quite enough to ensure thermal conditions, since the amplifiers have high efficiency.
For processing analog signals The HCF4052 switch (dual 3-channel analog multiplexer/demultiplexer) and the PCM1808 dual-channel 24-bit analog-to-digital converter are used.
Treatment digital signals produced by the TAS5508C chip (8-channel PWM for digital audio signal processing) controlled by the STM8L152 microcontroller. On their basis, frequency separation of channels is implemented in the form of 4th order filters.
There is also another small board on which components for digital inputs are soldered.
The power supply uses a low-frequency transformer W-shaped plates with two windings: 20 V 3.5 A for power amplifiers and 12 V 0.84 A for the low-current part. From the 20-volt winding, voltage is supplied to the rectifier by wires with a cross-section of 0.52 mm² (20AWG). The amplifier rectifier filter contains three 3300 µF capacitors. There is a fuse in the primary circuit of the transformer, but it cannot be replaced without opening the housing.
The passive speaker is connected using a 5-wire cable with an XLR connector. In an active speaker, this cable is fixed from the inside to a metal plate; four of its wires are connected to the outputs of the amplifiers with a pair of connectors, the fifth is wired. The active speaker’s own speakers are connected by separate pairs of wires with a cross-section of 0.33 mm² (22AWG) through individual plug connections, and why the passive speaker was “offended” by providing its speakers with five wires instead of six is not very clear (unless, of course, we take into account considerations savings) - especially since XLR6 connectors also exist, both case and cable. Unfortunately, there are no markings on the wires in the passive speaker cable, and we cannot indicate their cross-section.
The quality of installation is generally decent: the transformer is attached through a damping gasket, and the hum is practically inaudible, the wires coming from it are fastened with ties, and heat-shrinkable tubes are put on places that are dangerous from the point of view of electric shock. The appearance is somewhat spoiled by the abundance of fixing compound, which is generously coated on the inside of the connectors, wires, and power switch.
Listening and measurement results
The sound of the Edifier R2700 should be described as good. The presence of a midrange speaker allows you to avoid such disadvantages of two-way systems as insufficient saturation, poor development and timbre distortion in the upper midrange. However, the sound in the 1–5 kHz region turned out to be overly accentuated. In addition, the tweeter sound has a high amount of distortion, which gives it a specific color. But the sound in the lower mid-frequency region is well developed: the bass reflex is designed well, and there is no shortage of low frequencies. The volume reserve is sufficient.
Comparison of Edifier R2700 with other speakers of the same price category is given in our review of stereo acoustics.
Edifier R2700 speaker frequency response graph:
Bottom line
We summed up the balance of the pros and cons of the model in comparative review of stereo acoustics, the main conclusion was also made there: based on the results of comparison with three other kits, the Edifier R2700 model received the honorary title “ Class Leader ».
A new multimedia speaker system in the price range of up to 200-250 dollars is always an event: this market is represented in Russia by a small number of companies, successful systems can be counted on one hand, and those who want to spend the above-mentioned amount in order to forget forever the cheap, “plastic” sound purchased by default science fiction", a lot.
Edifier R2700, thanks to its interesting acoustic design, declared characteristics and execution, promised to be an interesting event in any case. It is especially worth emphasizing the fact that we are not talking about some release in the future: the R2700 speakers can be freely purchased now if desired. Moreover, the Edifier company has long had a reputation as an experimenter and producer of unexpected, non-trivial solutions.
Let's start testing. But first, here’s a classic plate with the key characteristics declared by the manufacturer.
| Edifier R2700 3-way active stereo system |
|
| output power |
128 W |
| Claimed signal-to-noise ratio of the amplifier | About 85 dBA |
| Acoustic system version |
Three speakers, three bands separately driven by an amplifier, tri-upping technology (separate amplifier for each band) |
| Claimed frequency range of the subwoofer |
50-2,000 Hz |
| Stated frequency range of Twitter | 2.8—20,000 Hz |
| Level of nonlinear distortion in the declared range of reproduced frequencies | <0,5% |
| Low frequency section | 6.5" magnetically shielded speaker |
| Broadband section | 4" magnetically shielded speaker |
| High frequency section | 3/4" magnetically shielded silk dome tweeter |
| Housing material | Fiberboard (MDF) |
| Inputs | 5-pin XLR speaker-to-speaker cable (integrated), two digital inputs (optical, coaxial), two analog inputs (RCA) |
| Features of execution |
Electronic tone block with DSP processing, fully digital path, remote control included |
| Dimensions | Active speaker 218x393x298 mm, passive speaker 218x393x294 mm |
Right away, even before examining the internal structure of the system and studying its sound, we note the following interesting things: the entire body is made of MDF board, a simply magnificent set of input interfaces, including digital ones, and, of course, 3-way acoustics, which in itself is unusual for this price range.
We won’t include the presence of a DSP tone block among the obviously positive “amenities” for now; we’ll talk about it after listening.
⇡ Design and execution
The kit that arrived at our editorial office has already been used, so we will not vouch for the compliance of the store’s equipment. Of course, the kit includes a remote control, possibly a set of “tulips”, but the digital interface was placed in a box in a separate retail package: although it is under the Edifier brand, we are not ready to vouch for its presence in the retail kit.
Right away - so as not to return later - a few words about the remote control. It runs on two traditional AAA batteries, is simple to use, but very ergonomic, all key functions are present.
Let's finally explore speaker design. Let's start with the passive one.
Three speakers: the arrangement is predictable, as is the correspondence of the diameters of the diffusers. Bass reflex on the front plane, the false panel is easily removable. The body is made of MDF board; you will appreciate the thickness a little later - in the following photographs. The structure is non-removable, individual fragments are covered with plastic polymer “like veneer”.
The mechanical performance is at a high level, the holes for the speakers are made with a minimum technological gap, they are securely held in the corresponding grooves; even with the screws unscrewed, additional efforts were required to remove them, especially with the Twitter. Unless the standard size of the screws is too small - obviously not for reusable disassembly of the system, it is better not to abuse this. The bass reflex is covered with a decorative mesh - this, I think, is a nice little thing for those who do not like to use false false panels.
We proceed to autopsy the patient. The first is Twitter.
Compact, high-quality sealed, magnetic shielding in place.
Wideband speaker. A high-quality, powerful magnet plus magnetic shielding, the soldering is a little careless, but the glue is from the heart. I especially ask you to pay attention to the “socket” in which the broadband speaker sits: a special barrel-shaped plastic insert slightly wider than the diameter of the diffuser, with a glued “bottom” made of plywood - such “isolation” of the mid-frequency speaker is clearly necessary to form a specific frequency response intended by the developers.
Let's move on to the subwoofer. Everything here is simple and predictable: magnetic shielding is available, a magnet adequate to the load, high-quality soldering.
For those especially interested in the acoustic circuit, we took another picture, clearly showing the dimensions of the midrange driver “socket”, the dimensions and shape of the bass reflex:
The back side of a passive speaker. It's simple - a classic 5-pin XLR connector, nothing more to say. In addition, you can pay attention to the quality of the film with which the MDS board is covered - it is at a high level.
Let's move on to the active column. To Edifier's credit, it should be noted that the engineers were not lazy and placed the speakers in the speakers with mirror symmetry. It's a small thing, and it hardly affects the sound, but it looks aesthetically pleasing.
Structurally, as you can see, the design of the acoustic part is the same: everything, including the decorative mesh on the bass reflex, mirrors the passive speaker. However, a tone block has already appeared on the side, and wires are visible from behind.
The tone block is the most controversial part of the Edifier R2700 speaker design. More precisely, its implementation is controversial. The zero levels of adjustment for low and high frequencies seemed to us to be chosen very, very arbitrarily. But more about this below, in the part with impressions of the sound.
The back side of the active speaker: digital and analog inputs, a non-removable cable for connecting a passive speaker, a non-removable power cable, a mechanical switch. This is a matter of taste, although the fact that with this design there are no extra connectors and the cables are guaranteed not to get lost may please many. For example, I am impressed.
We move on to the final phase - opening and studying the circuitry.
⇡ Circuit design
The first thing is power: this is what a power transformer looks like, an ordinary step-down classic transformer, without any tricks that are not needed here. Next, the power circuits are separated - the preamplifier and output stages are powered by different converters.
Let's move on to the PCB and the actual implementation of the amplifier.
Perhaps the most interesting and useful fact about the Edifier R2700 speakers: the entire amplification path - completely and without exception - is digital. That is, for analog inputs, of course, there is an analog-to-digital converter based on the PCM1808 hardware codec, but that’s all: then the signal is processed only “digitally”.
From the digital inputs, the signal goes directly to the AK4117 S/P-DIF receiver with a 12.888 reference crystal.
The final amplifiers are a separate story: the whole process also occurs “digitally” using PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) technology. That is, in fact, these are class D amplifiers, simply unthinkable in the tube era due to problems with nonlinear distortions, but in the last decade they have reached incredible heights in signal transmission quality due to progress in the creation of field-effect transistors with a previously impossible current-voltage characteristic.
Directly to amplify the signal, TAS5342A chips manufactured by Texas Instruments are used plus controller wiring on TAS5508C and 8L152C4 chips for different frequency channels.
Just a few words about the TI TAS5342A amplifier: this is a state-of-the-art Class D digital liner with a classic 12-V power supply, capable of operating both in single switching and in symmetrical mode, pumping up to 40 W/100 W, respectively.
In practice it looks something like this. To drive the tweeter and mid-frequency speaker, one TAS5342A channel is used; the woofer is driven by two TAS5342A connected by a bridge. Total: two speakers, eight amplifiers for both with corresponding controllers - that’s the math, with a good margin.
A separate topic is frequency filtering for different speakers. This is where the highlight of these speakers lies. The design of the Edifier R2700 systems uses fourth-order filters with a slope of 24 dB per octave, which, in fact, is not entirely typical for 200-dollar speakers. The presence of fourth-order filters is most often characteristic of much more expensive systems.
It was not possible to get to the markings of the tone control without destroying the structure, but judging by the characteristic clicks, these are multi-position resistor matrices, ideal for “digital”, leaving no chance for the appearance of “contact bounce” and the introduction of any other distortions during adjustment during playback. The tone controls have a midpoint and fixation points, and the volume control has a smooth move, without fixation.
There are no complaints about the installation, soldering and layout of the circuit elements; everything was thought out by the developers and carefully executed in practice.
⇡ Test results. conclusions
Before praising this system, which is undoubtedly successful in all respects, and talking about the peculiarities of its sound in various conditions, let me add a small fly in the ointment. The only and significant complaint is about the tone block, or more precisely about its high-frequency control.
Perhaps this is a purely subjective judgment, but in the neutral position of the treble control, the “tops” sound very, very conditional. In many cases, they are not enough - both at low and at maximum volume.
At the same time, a minimal change in the “plus” position of the knob gives an amazing effect, but too quickly, as a result, if you overdo it, especially at full volume, you can turn the knob to “fried sand” - excessive highs.
An ideal, golden mean exists, but it exists literally at ten to fifteen degrees of turn of the regulator. Below is a “blank barrel”, above is “sand”. We would, of course, thank the creators of the Edifier R2700 for such wide capabilities, but we would still like to note that the adjustment range comfortable The treble sound is quite narrow. It is the adjustments, not the sound. In general, you should have seen from the outside how I had to turn this regulator up for fifteen minutes on different compositions until I caught the ideal transmission of the upper spectrum.
What really struck me when listening to the Edifier R2700 system was the stunning sound of the vocal sections of Mozart's Requiem. These rising and falling tragic harmonious waves, which were originally invested in conveying emotions of enormous power - they sound, as surprising as it may be when talking about 200-dollar acoustics, and you will hear them! Mozart, by the way, all available at the time of listening, is perceived just fine. I was pleased with the sound of Così fan tutte, especially the incomparable rendering of the divine rivalry between tenor and mezzo-soprano: pure, transparent, lively. What is important, and at low volumes too.
If we talk about the most successful impressions, almost all the compositions sounded colorful with an emphasis on vocals, especially female ones. The song Down in the River to Pray, perfectly performed by the incomparable Alyson Krauss, left the impression of the singer’s real presence a few steps away. The powerful vocals of the Canadian goddess Joan Osborne sounded so good that I simply could not deny myself the pleasure of listening to her entire amazing album Little Wild One, and the songs Hallelujah In The City and Cathedrals - even twice. The vocals of the French woman Jil Caplan sounded amazing: it was supposed to sound, but something else, elusive, appeared in the air... And the music of Fleetwood Mac and Jetro Tull began to play with new colors: it would seem that this sounds even on plastic speakers -fantastic", and suddenly... very, very pleasant.
I was a little puzzled by the jazz. It was when Louis Armstrong in Nobody Knows The Trouble I"ve Seen and Go Down, Moses began his famous trumpet parts, it was at these moments that I wanted to turn the high control down again - a little too much. Just like in guitar cuts Craig Chaquiso: good, each string is physically felt in the air, but for comfortable listening it’s still too much, I had to turn the highs to neutral. You can also include the famous New Zealand harmonica master Brendan Power here: it sounds clean, amazingly fresh, but better with highs don't overdo it.
Then the selection of compositions began in the hope of making the speakers “grunt” with low bass, at full volume. The compositions Thundertruck from AC/DC, Whiskey In The Jar from Metallica, Lyapis Trubetskoy "Ramonki" - all to no avail. The sound is clear, the pattern of the bass and drum sections is clear, all the instruments and vocals are close at hand.
This is just a small part of what we listened to using the Edifier R2700; only the most striking examples are included here. The final verdict will be this.
Don't place these speakers on your computer desk, side by side, in front of your nose. Since you've already spent money on them, provide them with a good stereo spread - and they will surprise you more than once by reproducing the ideas that went into various compositions when they were created in the studio.
The Edifier R2700's full bass and midrange reproduction sounds amazing for a $200 system. Perhaps the only caveat: figure out the high-frequency settings of the tone block right away. It’s not that there aren’t enough of them - on the contrary, even lovers of the purest and loudest “tut-tat” will have to find a middle ground.
In a word, the speakers were a success. And they liked it.