Music lovers are very particular about the speakers they use to listen to their music. The same can be said for home theater enthusiasts. A small little smart speaker or cell phone just won’t be good enough in your living room. High-quality active bookshelf speakers are versatile and allow audiophiles to enjoy great sound without taking up too much space. The Edifier S2000MKIII active bookshelf speakers are marketed toward audiophiles. They also won’t completely blow your budget. Are they worth the purchase? The short answer is yes. We’ll break down all the reasons why in our Edifier S2000MKIII review.
Table of Contents
Edifier S2000MKIII Bookshelf Speakers
Specifications
| Dimensions (Per Speaker) | 7.8″W x 13.5″H x 11″D |
| Weight | 37.8 pounds |
| Type | Active Bookshelf Speakers |
| Power | 130W – 65W Per Channel |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz~40KHz |
| Drivers | 2 – 5.5″ Woofer and Planar Diaphragm tweeter |
| Connectivity Options | Bluetooth 5.0 (+aptX-HD), Dual RCA input, AUX, Optical, Coaxial |
| Warranty | 2 Years |
| Other Features | aptX-HD, remote control, dual DSP Chips, OLED Screen, tuning and volume dials |
Edifier S2000MKIII Highlights
Top of the Range Audiophile Components
These speakers are designed for true audiophiles. Any music lover who wants to get the most out of their tracks will appreciate Edifier’s S2000MKIII speakers. The powerful 5.5-inch woofers and planar diaphragm tweeters sound beautiful. The speakers have software and hardware that lay the groundwork for amazing hi-res audio. And tuning options when you feel like modifying bass and treble.
Bluetooth 5.0 Connectivity
These active speakers support Bluetooth version 5.0 for a fast and stable connection. You can expect to quickly pair to devices such as cell phones or tablets. The speakers also have advanced aptX HD decoding built-in. That’s a codec that allows for the transmission of 24-bit audio. This makes it possible to consistently enjoy high-definition music from the proper source. Many more streaming services are starting to offer HD audio, and it’s also possible to stream high-definition music files from your smartphone. This is a great way to future-proof your audio setup. The Bluetooth can be turned off on the speaker to prevent other Bluetooth devices from connecting.
Plenty of Inputs
You will be pleased to see that there are plenty of physical inputs on the back of these active speakers. The most useful connection is an RCA connector. With dual RCA inputs, you can connect two different devices to a 3.5mm jack, or RCA ports. And Edifier even includes a headphone jack to RCA cable for convenience. The speaker also has digital inputs, both optical and COAX digital connections. This is useful if you are connecting to home theater equipment. An optical cable is also included.
Nice Remote Control
The remote control which comes with the Edifier S2000MKIII is one of the nicer I’ve seen with a pair of speakers. It’s very easy to use and has great build quality. It feels solid when holding it in your hand. This is different from the flimsier remotes you will find with a cheaper pair of speakers. Those cheaper remotes also sometimes only control volume. The Edifier S2000MKIII remote is much more useful. It can be used to control a connected Bluetooth device to play, pause, and skip tracks. You can additionally adjust volume, change inputs, and select one of four presets.
Sound Presets
The sound presets are another great feature for audio enthusiasts. A single touch on the remote control will change your EQ to one of the presets. The four EQ Music presets are Monitor, Dynamic, Classical, and Vocal. Each presets allows for a more optimal sound signature based on your usage. Want the most accurate sound production? Try Monitor mode. Or go for the Vocal mode if you’re listening to an audiobook. It’s your choice.
It’s also possible to tweak the sound by adjusting the dials on the back of the speaker just in case you want to tweak them even more.
Pros and Cons
What We Like
- Active Speaker – No need for an amplifier or receivers. The Edifier S2000MKIII speakers have 130 Watts of onboard power. This is not only convenient, but it’s also a big cost saver.
- Clear OLED Display – Unlike other active speakers where you have to manually switch inputs, the S2000MKIII is different. Not only can you use the remote. The onboard OLED screen makes it easy to see which inoput is currently in use. No need to guess.
- Two-Year Warranty – These speakers have top notch build quality. Edifier shows backs their speakers by offering a two-year warranty. This provides great peace of mind when making a big purchase. Edifier’s customer services also has a great reputation.
- High Definition Audio – The sound quality of these speakers is the some of the best you’re going to get at this price point. The fact that they support Bluetooth with aptx HD decoding will be very attractive to any hi-res music lover. The dynamic range is absolutely outstanding. Mid-range, bass, and treble all shine with no distortion even at high volume. The first time you listen to music over these speakers you will fall in love with them.
- Plenty of Inputs – The speakers have multiple inputs which makes it very easy to connect no matter the source device. The inputs can then be selected using either the controls on the speaker or the remote control. This means that there’s no need to unplug and plug-in different devices.
- Exceptional Value for Money – Edifier S2000MKIII aren’t the cheapest speakers that you can buy, but they punch above their price point. They produce a very clear, full sound and get decently loud with 130 Watts of power. They do all this with a much smaller footprint than floorstanding speakers.
- Can be used as a Home Cinema Sound System – As these speakers have digital audio inputs, it’s also possible to use these as part of a home cinema setup. The optical audio connection can be plugged into a Bluray player or cable set-top box.
- Nice Remote Control – The remote control is very small and feels nice in the hand. The ability to control a Bluetooth device through the remote makes it easy to skip tracks and pause the music without touching your phone..
- Look Fantastic – These speakers have a very high-quality appearance. They look just as good as they sound. The wood grain effect looks beautiful. Especially if you’re looking for thudding bass.
What Could Be Better
- No Subwoofer Out Line – Edifier provides this option in many of it’s active bookshelf speakers. It’s a shame they didn’t include it with the Edifier S2000MKIII. Many people opt to add a subwoofer to bookshelf speakers for more bass. A sub-out connection would allow a simple connection from the speakers to subwoofer. Without that a receiver is the simplest solution.
- Not Great for Larger Rooms – The Edifier S2000MKIII are on the larger side for bookshelf speakers. They’re still small to compared to floorstanding speakers. Those with large rooms may have to pair these with additional speakers.
- Premium price – While we think they are worth the money, they are objectively pricey. Solid options also exist in lower price ranges. But you will be hard pressed to find the same mix on convenient features and sound quality.
Final Verdict and Other Alternatives
If you want to get some of the very best active bookshelf speakers on the market, the Edifier S2000MKIII is a good start. They can be connected to many different devices, sound fantastic, and have the ability to stream hi-res audio via Bluetooth. They aren’t cheap, but the price is more than fair for all they provide. There are a number of other options if you’re looking for the best bookshelf speakers under $500.
The Klipsch RP-600M is a great option if you’re looking for a passive speaker. They’re also well-built with an appealing design. While they require a receiver or amplifier, they can get louder with more bass than the Edifier S2000MKIII. The sound signature is dynamic and fun. It is an EQ that some looking for a cleaner sound should steer away from. The Edifier S1000DB is similar to the Edifier S2000MKIIII. It can’t match the S2000MKIII’s sound quality, but it has Bluetooth and some of the same convenient connectivity options. It is much cheaper while adding a sub-out line.
Keith Collins has been writing for over 15 years for various publications. He’s a lover of music, home theater, and excellent sound quality. His fondness for technology in addition to his non-stop curiosity fuels his writing ventures.