Edifier S3000 Pro Review

Edifier S3000 Pro Review

Edifier S3000 Pro are active (that is, equipped with built-in amplifiers) speakers. They have inputs for direct connection of signal sources, while the acoustics have taken measures for convenient and inconspicuous cabling. There are quite a few models of this class on the market, for example, the very nice KEF LSX.

image credit: Edifier

However, Edifier S3000 Pro differs from KEF, and we will dwell on this later. In any case, the S3000 Pro is half the price, which brings this model to another sector of the market. Do not forget that there are soundbars of comparable cost, which have very broad functionality. To beat the competition, the Edifier S3000 Pro must not only have great sound, but also be flexible to use. Two columns are more difficult to place than one, so it's time to assess whether such a decision is justified in terms of quality of work.

Specifications and design

First of all, it should be noted that Edifier S3000 Pro are real active speakers. There is some subtlety in the designation of such models, and in this case everything is fair, that is, each speaker of the pair has its own amplifiers and a digital crossover. Each speaker has two amplifiers, and the imbalance in their power is the most significant of all such models that I have ever seen. The amplifier channel for the woofer develops 120 watts, while for the tweeter only eight. While this may sound strange, in fact, such a decision is quite justified.

120 watts per speaker is fed to a 6.5-inch speaker that can handle this amount of power without distortion. However, the tweeter is a different kind of device. Edifier decided to use a ribbon emitter in the S3000 Pro, which has a high sensitivity. When installing tape radiators in conventional passive speakers, there are a number of stringent requirements for the amount of power supplied to them. And in their crossovers, special elements are provided to protect the tweeter from overload. In the Edifier S3000 PRO speakers, the ribbon tweeter is immediately connected to the amplifier, the power of which is not dangerous for it.

image credit: Edifier

The speakers are made in solid cases with a large bass reflex, which is located on the rear panel. The speaker is equipped with optical, coaxial and USB inputs, and is capable of receiving a digital signal with parameters of 24 bit / 192 kHz. Thus, Edifier S3000 P Pro meets High Resolution Audio requirements. This model is also equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX, and balanced and unbalanced line inputs. There is no phono input here, unlike some competing models, but even as a vinyl fan I don't see much of an oversight in this.

Thus, Edifier S3000 Pro can be connected to both a TV and other signal sources. Unlike the KEF speakers, the Edifier S3000 Pro acoustics do not have network functionality, but this problem can be solved, for example, with the help of the Yamaha WX-AD10. And this combination will be even more convenient and flexible to use.

Another very clever solution in this acoustics is the way of connecting the right and left speakers. Edifier used Kleer's wireless technology in the S3000 Pro, which proved to be absolutely stable in our testing. The system determines the distance between the speakers for optimal signal transmission. Thus, when installing Edifier S3000 PRO, you only need to take care that there is an electrical outlet near each speaker.

The appearance of Edifier S3000 Pro does not make such a rosy impression as, for example, KEF. Compared to them, this model looks a little more traditional. I am ready to admit that these speakers are unlikely to dissolve into the interior as well as some competitors' models. However, the workmanship of their cases is high. It can be seen that a lot of attention has been paid to the finishing of the speakers, and all its parts are precisely matched to each other. Edifier S3000 Pro comes with a convenient and functional remote control, and Bluetooth and USB connections worked absolutely stably.

image credit: Edifier

How was Edifier S3000 PRO tested?

The S3000 PRO were placed on Soundstyle Z60 stands and connected through an IsoTek Evo3 Aquarius surge protector. LG 55B7 TV was connected to optical input, while Chord Mojo and Poly were connected to analog. Poly ran on the Roon system for ease of testing. The USB input was tested with a direct connection to the Melco N1A, and Bluetooth 5 using the Essential PH-1 with the aptX codec enabled. Musical material for testing was provided by TV programs, files FLAC, ALAC and AIFF, as well as services Tidal, Qobuz and Deezer.

image credit: Edifier

Sound quality

We have already recognized that in terms of functionality, Edifier cannot compete on equal terms with such speakers as, for example, the Polk Command Bar, which also costs half the price. However, there are two very important reasons why you might want to use the relatively clunky S3000 Pro over the slender soundbar.

The first is the bass. Unlike the cheaper S350DB, the S3000 Pro does not have an external subwoofer (although you can add one). It honestly doesn't matter because the S3000 Pro has fantastic bass. Perhaps this is one of the most affordable models in which the potential of an active switching circuit for reproducing low frequencies is so fully realized.

With an amplifier directly connected to the speaker and a crossover that generates the correct signal for it, the Edifier S3000 Pro produces stunning low frequencies (in order not to get overload on the bass, it is not recommended to place the speakers close to the wall). The starship chase in the opening scene of Guardians of the Galaxy 2 was played as massively and powerfully as never before on a system of comparable value. There is depth, control and detail here, and any special effects sound so that the soundtracks literally come to life.

Above in the frequency range, everything is also very good. Compared to the pleasant mid-range of the KEF LSX, the Edifier lacks detail and sweetness, but it integrates well with bass and never sounds veiled or washed out. And the highest frequencies of the S3000 Pro are simply great. The ribbon tweeter really lives up to its purpose and sounds consistently great no matter the content. This tonal balance gives the sounds the necessary bite (like sword strikes in Game of Thrones) and at the same time finesse where needed. As a result, a serious imbalance in the power of the bass and treble amplifiers of the loudspeaker channels does not pose any problem to the sound.

So the Edifier S3000 Pro sounds more powerful and confident on TV and movies than any soundbar I've heard over the past few years. Only real "monsters", costing about $ 1500, can compete with these columns. But when it comes to the quality of music reproduction, the speakers beat them too, if only because two are always better than one. The Edifier S3000 Pro is capable of true stereo imaging, an invaluable benefit.

Even if that were the only thing the S3000 Pro is capable of, it would still be a useful bonus over a soundbar. But the speakers also sound great. When used as sources Chord Mojo and Poly (via Roon), Edifier reproduces in a very entertaining way. This is not the last word in sound accuracy - the amount of bass and drive can become overkill when listening to something delicate - but overall, the sound of the Edifier S3000 Pro is more correct than not. And here the tweeter also makes an important contribution to the overall sound quality, adding detail, energy and sophistication.

Of course, the Poly and Mojo cost around $ 1,500, so there are no complaints about their built-in DACs. When it comes to using the Edifier S3000 Pro's USB input, the speaker's own transducer comes into play. With this switch on, the digital signal processing feeling becomes more noticeable, and the sound is no longer as pleasant as when the Chord is switched on via the analog input. But all the same, this is a very good result for such a price, and, perhaps, this is one of the most affordable models of this class, which is able to demonstrate the advantages of recordings in High resolution formats. Bluetooth connectivity gives a similar sound character, with Bluetooth 5.0 continuing to present some surprises. When using Essential as a source, there is a decrease in battery consumption compared to Bluetooth 4.0,

For me, the best addition to Edifier is the Yamaha WX-AD10. It offers live music streaming, is flexible to use, and produces a smoother sound than the S3000 Pro's own DAC. And the price of this network player is more than reasonable. In short, it will be an easy way to bring the Edifier S3000 Pro closer in functionality to more expensive models, while remaining within a modest budget.

image credit: Edifier

Conclusion

The Edifier S3000 Pro is large, not too cute and requires two electrical outlets to plug in. They don't have HDMI and voice control. And if these are the features you need, it makes sense to take a closer look at the models that have them.

But if you do, you are missing out on a very good deal. The Edifier S3000 Pro are excellent active speakers with a good selection of inputs and features that you would hardly expect at the price. The speakers are a little trickier to set up than the soundbar and have fewer features, but the enjoyment outweighs everything else. And the Edifier S3000 Pro speakers are without a doubt a Best Buy.