Edifier S350/S351 DB in the test: 2.1 sound system with crisp subwoofer

Edifier has often convinced us in our personal tests. Whether it’s bookshelf speakers like the R1850 DB (test report), gaming speakers like the QR65 (test report) or in-ears like the NeoBuds Pro 2 (test report). The goal of offering good performance for gaming, movies and music in a single sound system seems a bit ambitious to us – or isn’t it? We tested the Edifier S350 DB 2.1 system.

The Edifier S350 DB and its successor S351 DB are now available at dealers 279 euros to get more. Since the only difference is the color (S351 black instead of the wood look) and the remote control (S351 elongated instead of round), the choice remains a matter of taste.

The Edifier S350DB impresses with its classic design, which offers a combination of black plastic and dark, reddish wood veneer. The two satellite speakers and the subwoofer fit harmoniously into both modern and traditional living environments. There is no RGB lighting, as found in most gaming boxes. The dimensions of the speakers are almost identical at 127 × 222 × 156 mm, while the subwoofer is quite large at 312 × 265 × 298 mm. These measurements show that a traditional gaming setup was not the goal, but Edifier has something truly bigger in mind. The workmanship is of high quality, which is also reflected in the weight of the system.

The speakers are equipped with a titanium dome tweeter (3/4 inch) and a midrange driver (3 inch). The subwoofer has an 8-inch woofer and a bass reflex tube on the right side. The most striking thing is its wide surround, which promises a large excursion and a lot of level. The only point of criticism: the membranes of the midrange and woofer are not protected by metal grills and there is no optical cladding either.

The Edifier S350DB offers a variety of connection options. Two separate AUX inputs enable the connection of two different sources. Additionally, it has one optical and one coaxial input, making it easy to connect to TVs and other digital devices. However, a USB port is missing. For wireless connection, Bluetooth 4.1 with aptX support is available, enabling high-quality wireless audio transmission. The first Bluetooth pairing takes a little longer, but later it works smoothly.

The system is operated via a recessed control panel on the right side of the main speaker. There are rotary controls for volume, treble, and bass here. A wireless, puck-shaped remote control allows you to control the volume and switch between the various inputs. However, the remote control lacks treble and bass controls and the shape is not very ergonomic.

The first impression of the Edifier S350DB is impressive. The subwoofer delivers a powerful bass that is very effective even at standard settings. If you don’t like it, you can turn it off using the controls on the main speaker already described. Depending on the style and audiophile nature of the music, this may be appropriate, otherwise the highs and mids may fade into the background in some pieces. Amazing: The sub plays down to around 35 Hz, which is strong for such a small bass box. However, the usable frequency ends at around 40 Hz, below which the volume drops significantly. But this is still 5 Hz lower than the Logitech Z407 (test report).

After adjusting the treble and bass, the S350DB reveals its full potential. The highs are clear and detailed, the mids are strong and the bass is concise without being loud. Most of all, we like that the bass sounds dry and crisp. This system shows its strengths especially with acoustic music and classical music. The spatiality and placement of individual instruments are excellent.

The Edifier S350DB also impresses with movies and games. Explosions and gunfire in games sound powerful and precise. A good sense of direction and a clear reproduction of dialogue contribute to immersion. Even at high volume, the sound remains undistorted and clear. This is not the case with many other systems, but classic providers of gaming equipment such as Logitech offer a slightly more heavy bass, which can be a disadvantage with music as it is less precise. The subwoofer of the S350-DB system also shows its class when it comes to movies and impresses with its highs and deep, but very crisp bass. It’s amazing how well the system actually handles all three ranges.

The Bluetooth connection with aptX support enables almost instant playback of music and video. In our test, lip and voice synchronization was not a problem, even with large video files. Otherwise there is an optical input for connecting to a television. Thanks to Bluetooth, the S350 DB can also be used as a party sound. Thanks to the high level of stability, this is not a problem unless the sound is used in a dance hall.

Edifier S350 DB is for approx. 279 euros To top it off, the successor S351 DB costs almost the same. Since the only differences are the colour (black instead of wood) and the remote control (elongated instead of round), the choice remains a matter of taste.

The Edifier S350DB / S351 DB is a powerful 2.1 sound system that impresses in all areas. High quality workmanship, versatile connectivity options and excellent sound quality make it an excellent choice for music lovers, movie fans and gamers. The price is reasonable considering the performance offered. If you are looking for a small, but still balanced and powerful sound system, you should consider the Edifier S350DB.

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