The Edifier S880DB MKII sits in an interesting space between lifestyle desktop speakers and compact hi-fi systems. On paper, it looks like a step up from the usual powered bookshelf formula, with a clean, modern design and a feature set that covers just about every base, from USB and optical inputs to Bluetooth with high-resolution codec support.
The Edifier S880DB MKII has an official price of $449 USD on Edifier’s website, but it is currently selling for much less from third-party retailers, often around $270–300 USD depending on the region. That gap in pricing changes the context of the product completely, turning what could be seen as a premium desktop speaker into something far more competitive in the active speaker market. The real question is whether the S880DB MKII sounds like a speaker built for its lower street price, or whether it still carries some of that higher-end intent with it.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Edifier for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
Edifier S880DB MK2
Features
The Edifier S880DB MKII is a self-contained active speaker system, so amplification and DAC duties are handled internally. Setup is straightforward, and you do not need any additional hardware to get them up and running on a desk or in a small room.
Connectivity is one of its stronger points. Around the back, you get USB, optical, coaxial, and analogue RCA inputs, which covers most common use cases. USB is the obvious choice for desktop use, while optical and coaxial make it easy to connect a TV or streamer. The analogue input is useful if you want to hook up something like a turntable with a built-in phono stage or an external DAC.
Bluetooth is built in and uses version 5.3, with support for SBC and LDAC. There is no aptX support here, which is worth being clear about, but LDAC still allows for higher-quality wireless playback from compatible devices. For casual listening, it works reliably and is convenient to have.
There is also a dedicated subwoofer output, which gives you the option to add a sub later if you want more low-end weight. Controls are kept simple: you can adjust volume and switch inputs using the knob on the speaker itself, or use the included remote.
That said, the remote can be a bit finicky in practice. I often found myself accidentally changing the input or EQ mode when I was just trying to adjust the volume. Battery life is genuinely excellent, but I would still prefer physical buttons for volume control, as they would make quick adjustments feel more deliberate and less error-prone.
Design
The Edifier S880DB MKII has a clean, modern look that works well on a desk without feeling too “computer speaker-ish.” The cabinets are compact and neatly finished, and they feel solid enough for everyday use without taking up much space.
Up front, the layout is simple: a 1.25-inch tweeter sits above a 3.75-inch mid-bass driver, and the active speaker has a small front display that shows volume and input status. I found this surprisingly useful, as it saves a bit of guesswork when switching sources or adjusting levels. I also really appreciate the metal grille over the tweeter, which makes the speaker feel more durable and a lot safer around curious fingers.
You also get wood-effect side panels, which add a bit of visual warmth and stop them from looking too plain or industrial. It is a nice middle ground between modern and slightly retro, and they blend in easily with both desk and living room setups.
Overall, the design is sensible and understated. It does not try to look flashy, but it comes across as rather classy and easy to place in a variety of setups.
Sound
The Edifier S880DB MKII is tuned in a largely neutral way out of the box, which makes it easy to live with across different genres. You can nudge things around with the tone controls if needed, but in its default state it already sounds quite well balanced.
Bass is one of the more impressive parts of the presentation. It hits harder than I expected from speakers this size and digs down to around the 50 Hz region with decent authority. More importantly, it stays tight and controlled rather than sounding loose or bloated. Placement does matter, though. If you put them too close to a wall, the low end can start to sound a bit boomy, but pulling them forward slightly is usually enough to clean things up.
The treble is on the precise side, but it stays smooth and controlled. There is good clarity up top without it turning sharp or fatiguing, which helps keep longer listening sessions comfortable.
Staging is another strong point, especially in a near-field setup. With the speakers angled and toed in properly, the soundstage opens up nicely and imaging becomes quite precise. Instruments and vocals are easy to place, and the presentation feels more spacious than you might expect from compact desktop speakers.
Two things really stand out for me: the overall clarity and the way the bass can punch when the track calls for it. Adding a subwoofer makes things even more interesting. The built-in tone controls are not as precise as using a proper high-pass filter, but they do let you dial in the bass level fairly accurately, which makes it easier to blend in a sub and tailor the balance to your room.
Verdict
The Edifier S880DB MKII left a very strong impression on me. From the solid build and generous connectivity to the clean, controlled sound, it consistently performs better than I expected for a compact all-in-one speaker system. It is easy to set up, easy to live with, and it works equally well as a desktop system or in a small room.
Value is where it really shines. At full retail it is already competitive, but if you can find it on sale or buy it in parts of Asia for closer to around $250, it becomes an outstanding deal. At that price, you are getting a well-built, flexible, and genuinely capable speaker system that is hard to fault. It is an easy recommendation.