Edifier S1000MKII Audiophile Active Bookshelf 2.0 Speakers - 120w Speakers Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD - Optical Input - S1000MK2 Powered Near-Field Monitor Speaker with Class D Amp

As someone who enthused over "high fi" speakers in the 1950s, I'm accustomed to prices that are much higher than these top-rated Edifier transducers, which look sexy and sound smoother than their edgy appearance. My first AR2, or Henry Kloss speaker (also, KLH, Advent, Tivoli) was almost $200 for a single speaker, and my JBL Athena speakers (high efficiency West Coast sound, with a 14" woofer) cost twice that--for a modest-looking, unobtrusive bookshelf speaker with a lattice wood grill). These Edifier S1000's understandably impressed the reviewers ("Consumer Reports"), who placed them ahead of dozens of more expensive speakers. As an audio "purist" who listens to classical music and jazz, my "snobbish" preference is for non-amplifed, "passive" JBL Athena's and Wharfdale's over a powered unit. I was tempted to bring a favorite existing speaker into the living room for use with a TV screen, until questions about placement of amplifier, turntable, albums, etc. led me to look to the convenience of powered speakers with Bluetooth connectivity. Although I hear more natural and realistic piano sounds in my preferred speakers, these powerful Edifiers are superior for movie soundscapes and large orchestral settings. They may not be "quite" as satisfying as very good "passive" speakers, but the convenience, practicality and value made purchase of the Edifier 1000's a no-brainer decision.When not screening (or streaming) movies, I'm listening to jazz recordings on which I'm attentive to the ring of the ride cymbal and the "chic" of the high hat along with pitch-identifiable "walking bass" sounds. Most speakers simply don't capture the force of Art Blakey's drums or the pulse and interplay of Joe Morello's kit. Active speakers simply aren't "tuned" to bring out these sounds, and my passive JBL's simply do a better job in capturing and representing these frequencies as we experience them "in nature."Nevertheless, I'm happy to keep these Edifier powered speakers for my home theater and symphony recordings --- especially now that I've finally begun to solve the problem of BLUETOOTH transmitting ONLY to the left ("passive") speaker. With wired connections--from a player or TV set (using optical cable)--the sound from the Edifier S1000 is strong in both speakers. But when transmitting wirelessly thru Bluetooth (I tried 3 differ iPhones), audio was going to only one speaker. If I were unable to find a fix, I'd return these and try a Bose Soundlink Flex speaker (the reviews are most compelling, and I was amazed by the Bose Soundlink Mini that my wife brought home as part of her deal for a new iPhone). Previously, NBA games on my big Samsung TV were so noisy that the announcers' voices were inaudible for much of the game. Her Bose speaker arrived with its own "internal intelligence," which muted the crowd noise and made the play-by-play come through loud and clear.Edifier is located in China, and I assumed response, if any, would be slow and minimal. To my surprise, a tech person at Edifier immediately answered by question about a channel drop-out. His questions in turn led me back to my iPhone, which revealed that the AT&T store had transferred my old and damaged iPhone unto its replacement, an iPhone 13. Since practically all of my players and transmitters had been corrupted by the "genetic flaw" inherited from the damaged phone, I could give Edifier a pass only after proving that the speakers were capable of reproducing a Bluetooth signal accurately, with each speaker representing the audio information unique to its channel.Finally, I convinced a tech-inclined friend that the problem, in all likelihood, was not with the speakers or with my overly fastidious, demanding temperament. He brought a phone that had not absorbed any of the bad karma in my iPhones, and by using its Bluetooth we determined that the Edifiers were up to speed--violins from left channel; cellos and bass fiddles from right channel; the conductor and the listener right in between these 2 unique sources for a satisfying, accurate, and most realistic soundstage. (Leonard Bernstein's / Stephen Spielberg's "West Side Story" never sounded better!)In conclusion, Edifier is #1--for this speaker and for its responsiveness to consumers' questions. But, finally, I've got to absolve the iPhone from blame. As the character from Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" says: "The fault lies not with the stars--not even with Apple or Steve Jobs--but with the distracted dude who allows his iPhone to squirt out of his hands and fall to the cement floor below--not once but repeatedly."

Very well packaged, manufacturing box inside a shipping box inside an Amazon box. If you currently own a soundbar these will be a noticeable upgrade. Fit and finish excellent. Plenty of midrange and treble, and there is enough bass to replace a subwoofer. Easy setup, place about ear height when sitting. Connects easily with Bluetooth or optical. Comparing directly with a soundbar or tv speakers I easily heard parts of music or words or sounds I could not hear before. Great speakers for a great price.

The power and precision of these speakers are simply outstanding. With a robust 120W of combined power output, the audio quality is exceptional. Whether listening to music, watching movies, or gaming, the clarity, depth, and richness of the sound are truly immersive, creating an audio experience that is unparalleled.The Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity provides seamless wireless streaming, allowing for easy pairing with various devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers. The stability of the connection and the extended range ensure a hassle-free and versatile audio setup, making it effortless to enjoy high-fidelity sound from any source.The attention to detail in the design and construction of these speakers is impressive. The build quality is top-notch, exuding durability and elegance. The sleek and minimalist aesthetic makes these speakers a stylish addition to any audio setup, complementing both modern and classic decor with equal finesse.The versatility of the Edifier S1000MKII speakers is another highlight. With multiple input options, including RCA, AUX, and Optical, they are compatible with a wide range of devices, catering to various audio setups and preferences. The inclusion of a remote control adds convenience, allowing for easy adjustment of volume and sound settings from a distance.The audiophile-grade sound performance of these speakers makes them a standout choice for discerning music enthusiasts and audio purists. The balance, precision, and dynamic range of the sound output elevate the listening experience to new heights, revealing nuances and details in the music that create a truly captivating sonic journey.

The sound quality of these speakers is very good. Accurate at levels comfortable when they're on a desk right in front of you, but no distortion when you crank them up loud enough for the neighbors to complain. I think the heavy and sturdy construction plays a part in that. I was surprised that the optical input works just fine at 24-bit 192khz, I can listen to Apple Music from my PC at the best lossless quality. I wish they had an AAC version of these, the Bluetooth compression is noticeable when I connect my phone. The WiFi model with Airplay might be worth it if you want to use Apple devices wirelessly. The remote is pretty basic, and there are no controls for sound other than volume. As desktop speakers connected to my PC's optical output these are great.

These active speakers are excellent. I have (and still do) owned many speakers in my life. These are the first active speakers I purchased on an impulse and I am very impressed with how accurate these speakers are. They perform very well through the full frequency range. Excellent base response for the size of the speakers. Look great. Bluetooth connection flawless. Very neat that the remote can control music from a phone.

Very solid build and fantastic sound from lows to highs. Classical and blues music sound as good or better than my Klipsch reference premier 8000- 2 floor speakers.Easy to set up either with bluetooth or cable.These are not however small. They are quite heavy and larger than some other bookshelf speakers.Very pleased so far!