Edifier S2000 MK3 Review - Sexy, Cheap, Self-Powered, Yummy! - VFM Hifi

#Edifier #s2000mk3 #poweredmonitor
Hello Everyone,
We hope you enjoy our review of the especially well priced Edifier S2000 MKIII powered speakers. No...they aren't perfect, but there's a lot to love at the price! A few higher end manufacturers should take note of the finish...
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[@banjomir519]

"I won't name names". You absolutely should! This is what reviews are all about. Comparing products. Unless "I won't name names" have you in their pocket.

[@weboliverkenny]

I don’t usually comment on videos to be honestly, but I’d just like to say that this video is incredibly well put together. I could listen to your opinion for hours! Your knowledge really shows in your description of the sound. Something which many others fail to convey. Really, great job. I look forward to listening to many more of your videos!

[@SmallRoomAudio]

Thank you very much, that’s very kind! 😊 👍

[@antonchigurh4125]

I had no idea those grills were on until you took them off... Another enjoyable review. Looking forward (as always)to the next! Thanks for posting!

[@SmallRoomAudio]

Thanks Anton! I just recorded another one actually, the Topping D90se VS Lab 12 DAC1 se…..thought I was on a roll….then realised the microphone battery had died… sigh….time for a beer!

[@SmallRoomAudio]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I would…but I sold it on eBay an hour ago! It’s all wrapped up waiting for Mr Parcelforce tomorrow. My short review of the Topping D90se….Meh.

[@SmallRoomAudio]

Thanks dude - from the short listening time at your house I can confidently say I’d take the RME over the topping every day of the week! I reckon we could see a Dave2 released next year, be fun to get our hands on one of those - plus lots of new speakers I suspect as well! 2022 could be epic!

[@6stringmonk]

I got these speakers for 50% off last week (paid $275 USD). I put them on matching stands on either side of my computer desk. Needless to say I am quite pleased. These replaced my Logitech z-5500 5.1 system I had been using for over a decade. So far I do not miss the subwoofer. They sound better than my ELAC - Debut 2.0 tower speakers in my home theater that cost $425 each.

[@zhenwang4108]

i just cant move my eyes off the lovely companion you've got on your lap...

[@SmallRoomAudio]

She says ‘woof!’ 🐶 Doggie for ‘thank you!’ 🙏

[@cannotkazi]

Randomly landed here. What is This doggy in lap vibe!? Yes. More of this please. Subbed

[@SmallRoomAudio]

Haha thanks for subscribing! 👍

[@IrenESorius]

Huge bang for the buck speakers❣️ Cheers,, 🍻😎👍‍‍.

[@themole24]

Thanks for this great review. 👍 I was close to buying the S3000PRO's for near-field listening but I guess I'll carry on looking.

[@fletchermunson6225]

Keep up the good work. I always enjoy your reviews. Lots of work. I appreciate them.

[@SmallRoomAudio]

Thanks Jim :-)

[@shawnorjiakor]

Great review. I use my Fluance Ai60s with a sub $50 streamer-DAC as a active Hi-fi setup and I was very impressed with the sound.

[@SmallRoomAudio]

Thanks Shawn 👍 I’ll have to check out the Fluance!

[@olaganvalantine4551]

Whichone DAC? i would like to use the speakers (like adam tv7) for Pc & Tv

[@shawnorjiakor]

@@olaganvalantine4551 And their two types: TB20 and TB21.

[@shawnorjiakor]

@@olaganvalantine4551 It called the Nexum TuneBox2.

[@LKicksBucket]

Would have really loved to own these speakers, but had to opt for smaller and more expensive options due to my narrow built-in desk...

[@CinemaDemocratica]

This is an absolutely fascinating review to me for a number of reasons: First, the step-up that you made in the Edifier lineup matches mine exactly -- I went from the r1850db's to the s2000 mk-iii's, with the latter in my system now for about a week. I've been reading and listening to a lot of reviews, both before and after purchase, and yours is the first for which the experience differs markedly from my own. Now I hasten to add that this in no way suggests that one of us is right and the other is wrong, but it certainly does make for interesting viewing and a potential object lesson or two for your viewers, so bear with me. My research began about three weeks ago with the s3000pro's, which I was handily assured would kill the category for me and my Edifier-friendly appetites. But living in Cambodia, I assumed there was no way I could audition them, so I wrote to Edifier and asked if they would sell them to me direct. Turns out there *is* an authorized dealer in Phnom Penh, and he had both the s3000's and the s2000's in stock. We started, semi-obviously, with the s3000's, which had been lauded by everyone on KZbin as the be-all and end-all in clarity, bottom-end control, imaging, you name it. And here's where things start to get interesting: Not only did I not care for them at all, but the listening experience I had with them was eerily similar to the critiques you had of the 2000s, here. The 3000's were tizzy, effectively useless in the near field, uninspiring at low volumes, bloated, possibly underpowered ... exactly what you heard with the 2000s. Plus they are just ridiculously too big. I think stand-mount speakers start to look ridiculous at about the dimensions of the s2000s, and as such the s3000s looked like washing machines on one-legged stilts. We switched to a pair of Kalis which I didn't care for any better, and then (as if in desperation) the salesman suggested the 2000's to me, having seized on my bloated-bass critique of the 3000s. I had nothing better to do that afternoon so I said sure. And I was totally blown away by them. The detail, the clarity, the imaging the bottom-end control -- to me everything about them is sensational, not just for the price, but on an absolute scale. I've owned passive speakers for which I paid 10x as much and didn't like as much as these. (Btw, these were $299 USD, new in the box, which I can't explain: Most things in Cambodia are more expensive except for housing and transportation.) A few thoughts that might explain our differing experience: 1) I am a zealous devotee of the Cardas speaker placement formula, and it's entirely possible that the s2000s prefer this placement and the s3000s do not. 2) I've never stopped hearing the degradation in sound quality that comes from connecting via bluetooth. You're supposed to not be able to hear any difference anymore, but I still do. As such I only run physically connected sources. 3) The cable that connects these two speakers may well be contributing at least some of what you heard, especially at both ends of the smile: If the cable is looped against itself, it makes quite a bit more capacitance than one might expect, so try spacing the cable out in a serpantine that doesn't touch anything else like the power line. If your power cable is dressed with cable ties, try undressing it. 4) The modes are probably getting in the way as much as they're helping. If you're old enough to remember integrated amplifiers with a "loudness" button, then you'll remember that pressing that button made a hugely positive first impression, at the expense of significant increases in long-term listener fatigue (rather in the same way that The Pepsi Challenge worked for Pepsi because people were only sipping the two colas, which isn't how you drink a beverage like that). I recommend going absolutely flat, with the speakers scrupulously placed, and I think you'll find they do even better than they have so far.

[@stinkyrose]

what kind of music do you like to listen to? These speakers can play quietly, but with high quality?

[@CinemaDemocratica]

@@stinkyrose I listen to mostly jazz piano trios and quartets -- so things like Cedar Walton, Cyrus Chestnut, Dave Brubeck and Beegie Adair. Some rock but less and less these days. Mostly low volume and much of it off-axis, such as when moving around the room. I'm really happy with them, though I don't think they're a good choice for rocking out because the sound definitely hardens up at higher volumes.

[@stinkyrose]

@@CinemaDemocratica I also love chamber jazz - including Eddie Higgins, blues and a lot of classics! and choose my speakers for these styles. thank you my dear! I think I need to definitely listen to these speakers. There are a lot of them and I'm afraid that without experience it will be very difficult for me to choose.

[@stinkyrose]

@@CinemaDemocratica thanks for the new name for me - Beegie Adair. I never heard of her. What wonderful music! Magic!

[@CinemaDemocratica]

@@stinkyrose She and Cyrus Chestnut are my two favourites, I think.

[@DeepakShankaran]

This is a great review! I'm looking to setup a desktop pair with these speakers and since they're not available to audition where I'm from, I'm hoping these would at least be as good as my other setup which consists of a pair of Q Acoustics 3020i paired with an entry level Pioneer AVR. Would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks!

[@igaldins]

The Edifier S360db has same planars I think. It has wireless sub too. Its the ultimate vfm all in one speaker! Insane vfm.

[@SmallRoomAudio]

Awesome, I’ll take a look!

[@dragosb2052]

Nice review, very comprehensive. Those active speakers are a great value for the money. After listening to them, I am considering getting a pair for myself. However, I am also keeping an eye out for an amplifier with Bluetooth capability and a pair of passive speakers. Currently, it is hard to beat the price of the active speakers as I have found them for only 232 euros.

[@gavrawlinson3099]

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@gavrawlinson3099]

😊

[@gavrawlinson3099]

😊😊

[@Bootrosgali]

Are these speakers basically the same spec sound quality as S3000PRO but wihtout the wirless connection? Because the overflowing praise online for the S3000 is making me strongly consider them, not just for the wireless speaker connection , but the AMAZING sound of the S3000s..

[@flyinglizards80]

Would a dac /headphone Amp improve these or is the dac inside enough? I use mostly for television. Love the video mate

[@ArdaKaraduman]

I just got the newer model S1000w with wifi. They sound really good. I'm not too concerned about farting, because I will never be using these at high volume. My room is quite small for these to handle. Airplay is very very convenient. Just one thing, my remote is missing the EQ controls. I wonder whats up with that.

[@matarg99]

Poseo unos Edifier R1900 tiii (T3). En su momento estos parlantes tuvieron muy buenas críticas (15 años atrás). Son mis parlantes principales, los utilizo para ver TV y para escuchar música. Estoy muy interesado en estos nuevos S2000mk3 pero no estoy seguro que tanta mejora tendré con respecto a mis actuales parlantes. No estoy tan interesado en las funciones de DSP, Bluetooth, etc. Me interesa principalmente la calidad de sonido. Piensan que los S2000mk3 son un digno sucesor de mis R1900tiii? Muchas gracias!!

[@diamondd2778]

I bought the r1700bt about 6 mths ago , loved em so went n bought a pair of these 400 aud( usually round 600) = 212 pounds, they're great! Its crazy how cheap they are here in australia, i looked at the ELACS n you were looking t 1000aud. Great speakers,looks cld be diversive but i think they sound great. Subscribed great show . Love from down under :)

[@aldouruguay7809]

Help me choose what to upgrade from edifier r2000db 2.0. to s2000mkiii it's worth it?

[@diamondd2778]

@@aldouruguay7809 depends on the price difference

[@ers-br]

@@aldouruguay7809 did u upgrade? Worth it?

[@rangerrecon]

I've used these speakers for over a year and their sound and quality is outstanding. I use them as PC speakers and for more critical music listening. I think that a lot of people overlook these speakers as "cheap Chinese" speakers, which is technically true, but again, the sound quality and build quality is absolutely fantastic. Great sound stage and for me the mid range was still very lively. I didn't notice any port noise on either units - even at higher levels. However, being a bit of a bass snob, I did eventually add a sub to these.

[@sampsalol]

Which sub did you add and how since they dont have a sub out?

[@rangerrecon]

@@sampsalol Yeah I asked myself the same question when I looked at the speakers and saw that there was no sub-out. For me, I added a Klipsch R-100SW and I used the RCA line level jacks on both the sub and the Edifiers by using an RCA y-adapter to feed both the sub and the Edifiers from my iMac. The solution isn't great as the Edifier's still get full range sound - including the low frequencies going to the sub, but I played with the gains and low tone control on the Edifier and achieved a result that actually sounds pretty good. If I was using a pre-amp or receiver I could have used a pre/main output for the Edifiers and a sub out for the subwoofer.

[@Gevoltful]

Same story with Primis Infinity sub , just a bit more bass , and tube pre :)

[@Bootrosgali]

Darko Audio who humblebrags about being an open minded nonsnob has never reviewed anything by Edifier.

[@Paradyski]

iPhone is also chinese and a lots o ppl love it

[@Shaiy007]

I'd be very disappointed if my speakers farted on me. 😂 Great review! I'm looking into something like this vs. a soundbar.

[@SmallRoomAudio]

Haha - and thank you! 🙏 😃 🙏

[@rangerrecon]

These definitely sound better than any soundbar I've tried - much better than my Klipsch soundbar (even w/ the wireless sub) I use in my living room. I didn't happen to notice any port noise with my Edifier S2000MKIII speakers, but perhaps I didn't give as critical a listen. Overall, I've failed to find anything that tops these for the price.

[@thewirah1]

I keep hearing good reviews about these. How do they compare to the YU6 from Kanto?

[@bigtundra5264]

Thanks for the remarkable review. A somewhat dumb question, but how would these compare with the Behringer MS40 as far as sound goes?

[@SmallRoomAudio]

Thank you for the kind words. Sadly I can’t help with the advice as I haven’t heard the MS40. Maybe someone else in the comments has experienced both and can help?

[@rdolle990]

Did you give them some time to become the speakers they should be? After 50+ hours they do sound very different than straight out of the box. Especially the low end will become deeper and more detailed. These speakers do not play with boosted upper bass. That might translate to some as "weak" bass, but you to get detail in return.

[@SmallRoomAudio]

Hi - yes they were properly broken in 👍

[@user-on4bj2tr8f]

Can a budget dac improve their sound quality? I was suggested to buy topping e30

[@garryfitzgerald6233]

Is the Triangle Bro 3 a passive or active speaker? I think you mentioned the Triangle Bro 2 is your favourite, would you recommend the Triangle Bro 3? Thanks!

[@SmallRoomAudio]

Triangle do an active version now, called the BT, I haven’t heard it but definitely worth checking out! BR03 are very good for more bass and bigger sound, imaging isn’t quite as nice as the 02 I don’t think, but it’s close

[@pauljoseph2400]

They just raised the retail price by a hundred bucks to $499.99 a few days ago.

[@gzgz3883]

Hi, great review thank you. Do you think you will be looking at other speakers from Edifier like ms50a (possible alternative to Sonos one)? Take care.

[@SmallRoomAudio]

I’ll send them an email and see what I can do 👍

[@gzgz3883]

Thank you! :)

[@MartinŠabík]

Which do you think is better for nearfield listening Edifier S2000 MK3 or Triangle Borea BR02?

[@jamessalepe]

What about the S1000mk2? Some people say that the plannar tweeter of the S2000 don't work equal that S1000 tweeters?

[@pkn5607]

Great review. Looking at Edifier s1000 mkii or r1700bts. The s1000 will cost about £70 more but my main concern is these will be in the bedroom and they most likely will be too big. Do you have any recommendations for smaller, similar price all in one + bluetooth speakers? I have Tidal and want to get the most value for money. Ideally under £250

[@sktfan3843]

r2000DB

[@bossfitnessstudios]

Would it make sense to hook these up to a Rega Mira 3 Amp?

[@alanjackson2540]

Hello is it possible to set these speakers up with an M1 Mac mini? Thanks.

[@GOLFADDICT65]

right now the S2000 MK3 speakers are 445 canadian or 325 USD....so question is are the s3000Pro's worth 750 dollars more than the S2000MK as the S3000Pro sell for 1199 ( canadian ) 880 ( USD ).,..its for TV speakers to watch movies / sports etc...thx

[@Lenoire79]

What is difference between these and s2000 pro?

[@marcelomunoz2474]

S2000 mk3 or klipsch the fives? Thanks!!!!!

[@leonwangls]

If you are 6 feet away in the normal triangle listening position, can you still hear the port noise?

[@rangerrecon]

I have these speakers and I can't hear the port noise. Maybe if I was up close and behind the speaker? Certainly I can't hear it as 6 feet away sitting in front of them.

[@GOLFADDICT65]

hi i am thinking on going with the Edifier S3000Pro speakers to hook up to my TV ...is that a good choice ? will my TV sound awesome ? or is it overkill....thx cheers from Canada

[@SmallRoomAudio]

Never such a thing as overkill in the world of fun audio! I haven’t heard the s3000Pro in ages, but it’s hard to go wrong with Edifier for the money. That said…in the U.K. the LS60 are £4k in the Black Friday sales which is 35% off…so tempted to get a pair, just need to sell a kidney!

[@GOLFADDICT65]

@@SmallRoomAudio right now the S2000 MK3 speakers are 445 canadian or 325 USD....so question is are the s3000Pro's worth 750 dollars more than the S2000MK as the S3000Pro sell for 1199 ( canadian ) 880 ( USD )....thx

[@P0wer2R0ll]

Is the speaker with the display supposed to be on the right side or left side?

[@wesleyharbeek2686]

Right side.

[@Richbroth]

Any chance you'll try the s3000pro?

[@SmallRoomAudio]

If I get my hands on a pair, absolutely!

[@111danish111]

How can a subwoofer be connected to these speakers 🔊 ?

[@majestic1994]

Guys, I have a question. Is it worth upgrading my sound card? I've got Asus TUF GAMING X570 motherboard with Realtek S1200A. Would I feel any difference? Is the quality of the sound will be better? If yes, can you recommend any specific sound card model that would make a difference? I prefer an internal sound card.

[@litvinovserge]

IMAO - just connect it with optical toslink cable and don`t buy anything additional. S2000 already has built-in amplifier and DAC.

[@backrack01]

The badly dipped in white paint speaker...wouldn't be the aqustic energy ae1s actives I hope :p

[@SmallRoomAudio]

No - the ones I’m referring to were passive and from somewhere else in Europe…

[@christianmall]

I'd like to buy these as desktop speakers. I'll put them on stands behind my desk to get a bit of distance but there's one thing I'm very concerned about. Many speakers automatically power off/go into standby mode when no sound is detected for e.g. 15 minutes. Could you please tell me if these also do that? Thanks in advance :-)

[@pauljoseph2400]

I actually have 2 pairs of these speakers, one for the bedroom, the other for the living room. They stay powered on until you turn them off.

[@christianmall]

@@pauljoseph2400 Thanks :-) I also got these in the meantime and I’m very satisfied with them!

[@pauljoseph2400]

@@christianmall I'm very pleased with them as well. Having bluetooth 5.0 and the aptX HD support at this price point is very helpful. I really do not notice audio degradation using bluetooth, and I connect them to phones, tablets, bluray player, and computer with great results.

[@ThermaL-ty7bw]

how about for nothing at all ? download a free vst host program , find a couple different free amps or separate drive boosters you can make 10 dollar soundbars sound good and loud enough to fill a room , no money needed all kinds of surround options , more space in your music , reverb , more power , you name it , it's free to find

[@RampartDistric213]

Use optical!!! I almost got rid of the s2000mkiii until I tried the OPTICAL....it beat the bluetooth signal, RCAs and coaxial. hands down. It was too punchy and high pitch on bluetooth. Optical is key!!!

[@SayWhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat]

Big brother is R2850DB not S series!

[@SmallRoomAudio]

Step brother then?

[@bigtundra5264]

Yeah so I went out on a limb and bought these. And returned them. I have to say th review is spot on but honestly I found the flaws to be much more exaggerated, at least in my subjective opinion. Some points - thought don't expect any fancy terms: - they are hefty and well built but there is the China feel - knobs are not up to par with highest quality products, they fell light, machining on the golden metal legs is low-quality mine came kinda chipped. - bluetooth works awesome they would even restart playing music by themselves when I accidentally pulled the power cord. - sound.... both of mine made the farting sound at about 70% and higher volume with bass heavy music. The farting did go away if you insert a couple of fingers in the rear ports as if you would finger the speaker... I found out that peak volume varied greatly depending on what app I was using, with VLC getting extremely high volume. Distortion is noticeble after 80% volume. The speakers are very low power could not properly fill a room of 25m/2, so I don't know how and why at all these would be suitable for movies. The bass is the weak point, and some parts of the low range sound great but most sound terrible. The high's are great though very sharp, and the speakers don't do well at low volumes simply can't hear any details in the sound, music is "empty" sounding. The sound from the tweeters is clear but needs a lot of distance to develop. All of this made for a strange and tiring listening experience. I ended up listening to less music. If you listen to female vocals or sounds of bells, you will love these. For general listening would not recommend. I'm currently listening to my TV while waiting for the Bose to get repaired. That more or less sums it up.

[@rob8311]

These or the Klipsch Fives?

[@Ididntaskforahandleyoutube]

Bang for the buck, these hands down. If you have a decent checkbook, skip the Fives to get something else entirely....

[@GOLFADDICT65]

KLIPSCH NINES 😁

[@MaxPower-zp7wy]

Bluetooth is not Hi Resolution audio. Stop with the BS. True Hi Fi needs ethernet or WiFi kind of bandwidth to play CD Quality and higher uncompressed formats. Bluetooth will always be for inferior mp3 and other compressed formats. This is not High Resolution Audio. These brands should know better including all the established HiFi brands trying to tout Bluetooth as the main source of Hi Fi. They are doing this because Bluetooth is cheaper, and they sell more of this crap to the masses who aren't audiophiles. You need to wake up and call out these companies.

[@worldsunique]

But buddy mostly the one looking for these are budget spenders

[@MrOkcyurwin]

The new edifier s1000w has wifi 😊