A 2.1 speaker system is a great way to enhance your entertainment like never before. You can expect two satellite speakers and one subwoofer; hence the name 2.1 speaker system. While it may not give you a full surround sound experience, there is no denying that a 2.1 speaker system has an outstanding audio performance than the standard 2.0 speaker system.
Edifier is a market leader when it comes to 2.1 speaker systems. This review will compare two Edifier models, Edifier M601DB and Edifier S350DB, to help you make an informed purchase decision. Let’s get started.
What is M601DB?
The Edifier M601DB is a 2.1 speaker system with a large wireless subwoofer and two speakers. With great dome tweeters and DRC and DSP connections, you can enjoy your movies and music in your living room or at your desk. It also offers versatile connectivity and gives an impressive overall sound.
Pros:
- Impressive sound quality
- Multiple connectivity options
- Beautiful and solid design
- Wooden enclosure enhances the sound quality
- It comes with a wireless subwoofer
- Easy to control by remote or top panel remote
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not suitable for gaming
What is S350DB?
The Edifier S350DB is a 2.1 speaker system with attractive retro aesthetics and comes with a subwoofer and two bookshelf speakers. It has flexible connection options, allowing you to connect multiple devices. With Bluetooth 5.1 aptX connectivity, you can watch movies, play games, and listen to different genres on this versatile speaker.
Pros:
- Incredible sound without distortion
- Solid build quality
- Versatile connectivity
- A powerful bass
- Clear highs and balanced mids
- Simple user experienced
Cons:
- The finish scratches easily
- Lacks NFC
Comparison
1. Appearance
While the look and design of your speakers are not the most important factors to consider, you want something that will complement your interior and overall setup.
- M601DB
The Edifier M601DB speaker system comprises a large subwoofer and two speakers. They all feature a classic wooden enclosure that not only gives a clean appearance but also helps to reduce acoustic resonance.
One of the speakers is equipped with three buttons, including the volume up, volume down, and the power button. On the front of the two speakers are unique fabric speaker grilles and a logo on the bottom.
A single connector on the rear of the speakers facilitates versatile connectivity. Here, you can find connection options like Line In, Optical, AUX, Coaxial, and Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX.
Like the speakers, the subwoofer has a front-firing grille and the logo on the bottom. Unlike the S350DB model’s subwoofer, which houses the connector panel, the M601DB subwoofer is wireless. It lacks connectors and connects to the two speakers wirelessly. Nevertheless, it houses a power switch, two-pin point for power, status LED indicator lights, and a dial to tweak the bass level.
- S350DB
When you unbox the S350DB speaker system, you will find two bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer. These speakers feature a retro-style cherry wood design on the top and sides that looks good in almost any setup.
Like the M601DB model, one of the S350DB speakers has three panels controls but on the side. With the three knobs, you can easily tweak the treble, bass, and volume/input. Right below the volume knob, you will find the status LED. Besides, both speakers have titanium dome tweeters and aluminum cone woofers that measure 3.5 inches.
The 8-inch subwoofer of this speaker system has a solid and quality build that makes the entire speaker system feel heavy. A bass port on the right side and four rounded silicone feet offer stability and serve as anti-vibration pads. On the rear of the subwoofer is a connector panel for plugging in the necessary cables and wires.
2. Sound Quality
When shopping for a speaker system, there is no denying that the sound quality matters. Whether you want a speaker for your living room or your PC desktop, you want something that will give an excellent audio performance. A good system features a powerful subwoofer that delivers a good bass and impeccable audio.
- M601DB
The Edifier M601DB has a peak power of 220W and 110 RMS; hence, you can be guaranteed a solid sound quality. The 8-inch wireless subwoofer, 3.5-inch mid-range driver, and ½ inch tweeter contribute to outstanding sound quality.
With the tremendous deep bass, this model is an excellent consideration if you intend to watch movies and listen to music. However, it may not do an outstanding job for gaming since it may not capture the enemy’s footsteps and other speakers.
The built-in digital signal processing (DSP) and Class-D amplifier prevent further system distortion. This means that you will enjoy louder yet crystal clear audio in any environment.
- M350DB
Unlike most 2.1 speaker systems with small satellite speakers, the M350DB comes with full bookshelf speakers that guarantee top-notch audio quality. Thanks to its high-quality titanium dome tweeters, you will enjoy clear highs with this speaker system. The titanium dome tweeters that measure ¾” in size produce sound in clear highs for all movies, videos, and every music genre.
Besides the crisp highs, you can also enrich your audio with deep, rich lows courtesy of the 8” bass driver unit. This makes this speaker system ideal for music, movies, and games. Furthermore, there is an enhanced side panel bass reflex port on the subwoofer. This helps improve your listening experience regardless of the bass sounds you are listening to.
Additionally, there is a built-in amplifier that is tasked with powering and amplifying the speakers and the subwoofer. It has a dynamic range control that amplifies quiet sounds and reduces loud, unpleasant sounds.
3. Connectivity Options
If you are looking for a 2.1 speaker system, it is crucial to determine the type of connections it offers. This will determine the type of devices you will connect.
- M601DB
This model offers versatile connectivity options compatible with most of your devices. With the help of the infrared remote control, you can easily switch between connection options like optical, auxiliary, coaxial, Line-in, and Bluetooth 5.1 aptX.
The Bluetooth V5.1 adopts Qualcomm aptX that facilitates faster connection and delivers high-quality audio. Therefore, you can play music from your device to the S350DB via Bluetooth. There is a color indicator that indicates the audio input you have selected.
- S350DB
Like the Edifier M601DB, the Edifier S350DB supports connectivity with various devices. You can connect your sources through RCA, optical, AUX, coaxial, or Bluetooth V4.1 aptX from a range.
4. Controls
An easy-to-control speaker system will undoubtedly enhance your overall user experience.
- M601DB
For easy control, the Edifier M601DB is equipped with an infrared remote control that allows you to tweak the sound quality to match your preference. You can find buttons such as power, volume up/down, play/ pause, previous/next track, Aux, Line-In, Opt, Coax, Bluetooth, and Mute on the remote control. Other than the remote control, there is a top panel on one of the speakers to power on/off the speaker and adjust the volume.
- S350DB
As aforementioned, one of the M601DB speakers comes with three knobs for adjusting the treble, bass, and volume. However, if you want more convenience, the speaker comes with a remote control that has a sleek design.
The remote features a small, rounded design that fits comfortably in hand. Despite its small size, this remote control includes a decent number of options such as power, volume up and down, play/pause, previous/next track, Aux, Opt, Coax, PC, and Bluetooth. Although this control is small, it can be an issue holding it since your natural finger can block the signal in some cases.
5. Ease of Use
Something else worth considering when choosing a speaker system is the user experience.
- M601DB
M601DB has a simple user interface, and no app is needed to connect it to multiple sources for an enhanced experience. Furthermore, the setup is straightforward, and a novice can do it without professional help.
To set this speaker system, plug it into a power outlet and connect the speakers. Then, pair the speakers with the subwoofer. You can also connect to multiple sources through Bluetooth, Coaxial, Optical, 3.5mm Aux, or Line-in.
- S350DB
Like the M601DB, the Edifier S350DB is extremely easy to use since it does not require any software to connect it to a PC. It is quick and easy to stream music wirelessly from your smartphone for the ultimate experience. You simply need to pair the speaker with your device through the Bluetooth button on the infrared remote control.
The Verdict
That’s a wrap-up for our comparison for the Edifier M601DB and the S350DB. While not very expensive like other speaker systems, a good 2.1 speaker can improve your overall audio experience whether you listen to music or watch through PC or TV.
When choosing between the two Edifier models, our vote goes to the Edifier S350DB. The sound quality is unmatched and does not compromise on the audio quality regardless of the volume. Although an older version of the S360DB, the S350DB still stands out because of its retro style and impressive mids and highs. It also has excellent connectivity and other impressive features for the price.
However, when it comes to a simpler and better control, the M601DB has won our hearts. We also love its wireless subwoofer and active speakers that deliver superb sound. However, you should note that it is on the expensive side and may not deliver excellent performance for gaming.
