Every once in a while you get a product that makes you realize you've been missing out on something for a long time. That could be upgrading to a new 4K monitor, switching to an SSD, or in today's case, switching to truly premium speakers.
Edifier AirPulse A300 Premium Speakers Review
- Thread starter William Gayde
- Start date
VitalyT
Posts: 7,521 +9,422
At $1,100 it is simply too expensive. I recently purchased Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar System, specifically for my desktop PC, and I couldn't be happier with it. It is both compact and powerful, great for movies and YouTube. I would recommend it to anyone who wants decent sound for your PC, while short on space.
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ShagnWagn
Posts: 1,297 +1,086
Thanks for the review. There aren't any audio shops around here any more. I've never heard ribbon speakers.
Is surround sound still not a thing any more? For years now almost every system for computers is 2-channel. That is perfect for music, but gaming there is a big disadvantage. You can't tell where someone is or what direction. Even for single player games it adds a lot of immersion. I would rather have a crappy set of surround sound speakers than good 2-channel audio. That is me personally. Feel free to run 2 channel as you will have no idea which way I am coming up behind you.
I would rather we have a fair fight.
"Bose" is like Mastercraft of boats - you are paying a premium just for the name. The audio reproduction is far from realistic, although it tickles most people's ears, which is fine with me. I'm not putting anyone down, but they sound terrible to me. It also relates to TV's - people would rather have something super bright and washed out (bug zapper I call it) rather than a a more accurate viewing screen. This is why retailers push the brightness all the way up.
Is surround sound still not a thing any more? For years now almost every system for computers is 2-channel. That is perfect for music, but gaming there is a big disadvantage. You can't tell where someone is or what direction. Even for single player games it adds a lot of immersion. I would rather have a crappy set of surround sound speakers than good 2-channel audio. That is me personally. Feel free to run 2 channel as you will have no idea which way I am coming up behind you.
I would rather we have a fair fight."Bose" is like Mastercraft of boats - you are paying a premium just for the name. The audio reproduction is far from realistic, although it tickles most people's ears, which is fine with me. I'm not putting anyone down, but they sound terrible to me. It also relates to TV's - people would rather have something super bright and washed out (bug zapper I call it) rather than a a more accurate viewing screen. This is why retailers push the brightness all the way up.
Destrukshawn
Posts: 21 +8
My PC has always been and always will be hooked up to my Home Stereo System. Boom Boom Baby! No PC specific "Speaker Theatre System" will ever match the RAW power and output of a Home System. Why spend thousands when you could spend a few hundred and have a party for the whole block powered by your PC. No true Audiophile would opt for Satellite Speakers......ever!
Its about quality.
I've seen expensive 2 speakers setup that would destroy most 5.1 setup you can buy at best buy when it comes to sound quality. But to each his own everyone has difference taste in how they like to listen to music. And different budgets.
The most important thing in the article is your input quality. I've seen people thinking 192kbps Mp3's are good quality. Only to play the FLAC version of the same thing on a highend system and they say WTF.
lazer
Posts: 504 +157
I have a severe hearing loss and I just find it difficult to understand people when they speak and my appreciation of music has been lost.
I would appreciate reviews of products that include use for hearing impaired people, meaning how well they can manipulate the device to bring up the sound bands that are low to us with out upping over all volume.
As an example in choosing a smartphone, there are advantages to one company over the other....
I would appreciate reviews of products that include use for hearing impaired people, meaning how well they can manipulate the device to bring up the sound bands that are low to us with out upping over all volume.
As an example in choosing a smartphone, there are advantages to one company over the other....
Xenocea
Posts: 468 +498
Still using the good old Logitech Z-5500 5.1 here, paired up with Creative Sound Blaster X sound card. Packs quite a punch and offers decent surround sound quality in music, movies, and especially gaming.
koblongata
Posts: 641 +356
I enjoy Youtube music as well, it's more about clock consistency and noise. Of course compressed can't have as much depth as higher resolution ones, but not unenjoyable or even bad sounding, far from it.
richalone442
Posts: 70 +56
Can you believe some of the comments here? Comparing these little, though expensive 2 ways to home theater systems.They no doubt need a subwoofer to sound as they should in a music system.
Of coarse your own taste in audio is personal, I would have liked more information on the D/A conversion details, having optical, coaxial, and USB inputs put these powered speakers in a class almost by themselves.
Comparing these $1,100.00 Edifiers to the $500.00 AudioEngine A5+ really isn't fair, being that the drivers, size and build are completely different, but I guess reviewer William Gayde didn't have anything close to compare the Edifiers with.
Having experience with Edifier equipment having great sound and solid build quality, these are probably really good speakers. A more reasonable price point of around $800.00 for the pair would make them a better buy, a price that I would consider auditioning them.
Of coarse your own taste in audio is personal, I would have liked more information on the D/A conversion details, having optical, coaxial, and USB inputs put these powered speakers in a class almost by themselves.
Comparing these $1,100.00 Edifiers to the $500.00 AudioEngine A5+ really isn't fair, being that the drivers, size and build are completely different, but I guess reviewer William Gayde didn't have anything close to compare the Edifiers with.
Having experience with Edifier equipment having great sound and solid build quality, these are probably really good speakers. A more reasonable price point of around $800.00 for the pair would make them a better buy, a price that I would consider auditioning them.
ShagnWagn
Posts: 1,297 +1,086
I have the same speakers. They are amazing! A few years ago I looked around the market if there was any upgrade over these. I ran across these on ebay... used they were listed at $1000...! Looks like they came back down to reasonable price. Probably because logitech released another 5.1 system. I don't know how they compare though.
Yes, I do. If home theater systems are in the same price category, yes they should be since they perform the same function. Same as cars such as comparing a fully loaded toyota versus a barebones lexus (whatever, you get my point).
After a couple of errors, I just stopped reading:
1- These speakers are designed to be put on stands away from the walls, let alone "In-wall"- After all, they are ported!!
2- The COAX [Input] is not ". . . to attach a dedicated subwoofer . . " It's a Digital Coaxial input- as opposed to optical.
1- These speakers are designed to be put on stands away from the walls, let alone "In-wall"- After all, they are ported!!
2- The COAX [Input] is not ". . . to attach a dedicated subwoofer . . " It's a Digital Coaxial input- as opposed to optical.
NightAntilli
Posts: 932 +1,196
Aside from the fact that Bose is overrated and overpriced (practically the Apple of speakers), there is no way a $250 soundbar compares with two standalone bookshelf speakers of $1000. If you're satisfied with them, that's fine. Just know that whatever you have is not anywhere near the best possible sound quality out there.
VitalyT
Posts: 7,521 +9,422
I've owned some premium speakers in the past, and right now I own Bose sound-bar and Bose headphones, and both of them are great, and I speak from my personal experience. I take it you do not own any Bose products, just came here to bash it. Just don't tell us that something 4.5 times more expensive is a better choice, that is exactly Apple-minded nonsense, like telling people that a $1,500 iPhone is better than a $250 Android.
First of all. sound is very subjective.
that being said, I've owned some edifier speakers and while they are good, they are not that good. look at their portfolio in 2004 and you'll see they are selling mostly 2.1 speaker systems. I always think their sound signature is lacking on the bass section. Excellent mid and treble with disappointing harsh bass characteristics. Last Edifier I've auditioned was the S730 and it was far from my Klipsch iFi. The klipsch extends the bass to almost 30hz with no "boomy" effect or peak on the 70hz.
Looking at your graph, I'd say I still pick the A5 for less than half the money. The graph from the A300 shows significant dip on the bass (120hz) and sharp peak on midbass (220hz). This is not expected of a $1000 systems. On the other hand, the A5 just had a hump on the 150hz (probably to increase warmth) and had a good bass response down to 70hz. A good setup would have a subwoofer with 80hz crossover (THX recommendation) to take over from 80hz and below.
I wouldn't comment on the fact that it uses Class-D amp. I own a Logitech Z Cinema speaker with separate amp for the tweeter (AB), midrange (AB) and subwoofer (D). no, it does not sound any better than my Klipsch with twin Class-D chips.
I guess each brand has their own "signature" sound. I personally wouldn't buy any Edifier speakers for $1100. For that money I'd go for Wharfedale or Klipsch bookshelves speakers.
that being said, I've owned some edifier speakers and while they are good, they are not that good. look at their portfolio in 2004 and you'll see they are selling mostly 2.1 speaker systems. I always think their sound signature is lacking on the bass section. Excellent mid and treble with disappointing harsh bass characteristics. Last Edifier I've auditioned was the S730 and it was far from my Klipsch iFi. The klipsch extends the bass to almost 30hz with no "boomy" effect or peak on the 70hz.
Looking at your graph, I'd say I still pick the A5 for less than half the money. The graph from the A300 shows significant dip on the bass (120hz) and sharp peak on midbass (220hz). This is not expected of a $1000 systems. On the other hand, the A5 just had a hump on the 150hz (probably to increase warmth) and had a good bass response down to 70hz. A good setup would have a subwoofer with 80hz crossover (THX recommendation) to take over from 80hz and below.
I wouldn't comment on the fact that it uses Class-D amp. I own a Logitech Z Cinema speaker with separate amp for the tweeter (AB), midrange (AB) and subwoofer (D). no, it does not sound any better than my Klipsch with twin Class-D chips.
I guess each brand has their own "signature" sound. I personally wouldn't buy any Edifier speakers for $1100. For that money I'd go for Wharfedale or Klipsch bookshelves speakers.
NightAntilli
Posts: 932 +1,196
I didn't say something that is 4.5 times more expensive is a better choice. That is for each individual to determine depending on their own budget and desires.
Aside from the fact that a $1500 iPhone will undoubtedly be better quality than a $250 android phone, (and I never bought or will buy an iPhone), there's a reason Bose has come under scrutiny lately... Here's a perfect example, even though these are headphones and not speakers;
https://www.theverge.com/2016/6/21/...tooth-wireless-headphones-quietcomfort-flawed
That's without mentioning the cheap building materials used for their speakers. If you're looking accuracy, Bose is also not for you. They love to 'color' the sound.
But to each his own.
Evernessince
Posts: 5,469 +6,160
Thanks for the review. There aren't any audio shops around here any more. I've never heard ribbon speakers.
Is surround sound still not a thing any more? For years now almost every system for computers is 2-channel. That is perfect for music, but gaming there is a big disadvantage. You can't tell where someone is or what direction. Even for single player games it adds a lot of immersion. I would rather have a crappy set of surround sound speakers than good 2-channel audio. That is me personally. Feel free to run 2 channel as you will have no idea which way I am coming up behind you.
"Bose" is like Mastercraft of boats - you are paying a premium just for the name. The audio reproduction is far from realistic, although it tickles most people's ears, which is fine with me. I'm not putting anyone down, but they sound terrible to me. It also relates to TV's - people would rather have something super bright and washed out (bug zapper I call it) rather than a a more accurate viewing screen. This is why retailers push the brightness all the way up.
You should try the Audeze Mobius. They make high-end audiophile headphones and this is their first designed for surround sound. I was one of the indiegogo backers and they do an excellent job of creating a surround sound setup.
Remember folks, that these speakers have Bluetooth AND a DAC built-in which makes them way better overall value than a pair of AudioEngine A5+.
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