Sometimes technology advances too fast for its own good. When it comes to audio, everyone seems to be forgetting about good ol’ bookshelf speakers. Manufacturers are focused on portability and smart features, but they’re sacrificing sound quality that speakers from the past pumped out with ease.
I’ve loved music as far back as I can remember. My first home audio set up was a hand me down from an uncle of mine who gave me his Yamaha amplifier, floor standing speakers with 12″ subwoofers and tweeters, tape deck and record player. I remember listening to music every night while I did homework or reading magazines and books while hanging out with my dog. Even though my home audio set up was a hand me down, it was still pretty darned good. Vinyl records sounded incredible and I could shake the walls when I turned the volume up. The stereo sound came out in detail from the speakers since they were set up in stereo mode. If you’re older than 30 like I am, there’s a good chance you once listened to music the same way I did.
A lot has changed since the 80s. Home audio setups have mostly disappeared since they were large, required wires of all different lengths, and have become dated with portable compact speakers or WiFi home audio systems like those from Sonos. While I love testing and reviewing modern technology audio products, my default home audio system consists of tower speakers that are connected to a high-powered amplifier. There’s nothing special about my setup – it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of modern speakers, but it does sound great and is properly powered. I’ll sit in my office for hours at a time just listening to music. I’m one of the rare types who prefer music over every other type of media for entertainment.
I understand that people love the portability and less clutter, but I never understood why systems like mine pretty disappeared from mainstream consumer consumption. Speakers that are powered by an actual plug typically can generate so much more power than anything that lives off a battery. And separate speakers give a larger soundstage than uni-speakers with multi drivers like the Sonos Play 5 with everything packed into one package. Traditional speaker setups also have fewer drivers crammed into the package which allows for larger woofers and tweeters and produces fuller and more detailed sound. Lastly, manufacturers have been making speakers this way for over 100 years and they just sound better than modern setups that focus on cramming everything into the smallest possible package.
I’ve been hunting for bookshelf speakers that are self-powered (no external amplifier needed) for under $300 to review. I came across the Edifier R2000DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers and think you should read my review if you truly love listening to music. Your portable Bose, Beats or Amazon Echos might fool you into thinking they sound good, but they are no match at all for standalone separates that are internally powered. And for those of you who are thinking about spending $200-$550 on one single Sonos speaker, you should consider thinking again because you’re paying for technology you might not need. I know these are bold statements but stick with me.
Edifier R2000DB specs and build:
- MSRP: $249.99 at Edifier and Amazon
- Finish: High Gloss Piano Black and Wood Grain
- Total power output: RMS 24W × 2 + 36 W × 2
- SNR:≥ 85dBA
- Frequency response: 55Hz-20KHz(±3db)
- Channel separation:≥45dB
- Tweeter: Φ25mm Ru-Fe-B silk dome，6Ω
- Full range driver: 5″ alloy，4Ω
- Dimensions: 6.25in x 11.5in x 8.5in (WxHxD)
- Connection cable: 5M/16.4FT
- Bluetooth with AptX
The Edifier R2000DB are a pair of speakers designed in the traditional left and right sense, instead of the mono speakers that are very common in today’s portable world. Each speaker is housed in real wood and MDF that eliminate almost all distortion. The pair I reviewed came in a nice wood grain finish that has a classic look, but there’s a piano black finish if you don’t like the wood look.
The main speaker is where all of the important components are held. The powerful amplifier, optical input, dual RCA inputs, volume, bass and treble controls, and the output for the left speaker. The main speaker (right) is where the RF receiver is for the included remote control as well as the spot for pairing with Bluetooth devices. Almost every type of input is available with the Edifiers speakers which means they can be used for music, video games, television or movies. The left speaker is powered by a single cable and each speaker comes with a nice mesh grille to protect the woofers and tweeters.
They’re a build that’s reminiscent of how speakers used to be built-in the 80’s and 90’s – they’re reliable and sturdy.
Sound and usage
Setting up the pair of Edifier speakers takes no more than a few minutes once you’ve unboxed them. They’ve got a bit of weight to them since they’re made of heavy wood that is used to reduce vibration that can distort the sound. They’re also heavy because they have a hefty amplifier in them that produces quite a bit of room shaking sound.
If you grew up in the era where portable speakers did not exist, you’ve probably heard bookshelf speakers like the Edifier R2000DB pair. Bookshelf speakers are known for their detail and rich mids and bass because they have separate woofers and tweeters. They’re also capable of being physically distanced apart from each other since they come as a pair rather than a single box crammed together.
The Edifier R2000DB speakers remind me of why I loved bookshelf speakers so much in the past, and make me wonder why almost every manufacturer has moved away from such a successful design. The tweeters produce a super detailed sound that isn’t muddled by cramming them next to multiple woofers. The 5″ drivers are powerful and deliver crisp, rich and bold mids and lows that’s superior to mono speakers I’ve heard that cost three times as much. Stereo sound also makes the soundstage larger since it actually separates details in the music to the left and right side.
It didn’t matter how I connected to the speakers – Bluetooth, optical or RCA – every mode sounded clean, crisp and detailed. It’s the kind of sound that makes you sit and enjoy the music. It’s not sound as background noise, it’s sound that actually provides real entertainment. Jazz, classical, pop, country, hip-hop and rap all sound fantastic on the R2000DB system depending on how you adjust the bass and treble controls on the back of the main speaker.
I’m hoping bookshelf speakers make a comeback
There’s a place for portable speakers, but it’s not in the home. The home audio system should consist of powerful speakers like the Edifier R2000DB pair that offer so much more power, detail and ability to connect to a multitude of devices that portable speakers just can’t offer.
The Edifier R2000DB system pays homage to when music sounded great while offering modern amenities like Bluetooth and optical connections. For $250, you won’t find a better sounding, more versatile set of wireless speakers anywhere. The Edifier R2000DB is one heck of a setup and one that I highly recommend to music lovers.
Get your own Edifier R2000DB Bookshelf speakers at Amazon, Edifier, Walmart or Newegg.
Edifier R2000DB Bookshelf Speaker review
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Features
I’m almost ready to make the purchase but am wondering, the shelves on my entertainment center (I’d be using mostly for TV) are at, or a tad above, ear level when sitting on the couch. Will the angled design of these cabinets shoot the sweet spot over my head?
It shouldn’t matter. The tweeters provide a big soundstage…you’ll also appreciate the true stereo separation which sound bars don’t provide as well. For the price, I haven’t used anything better in terms of sound performance.