Edifier S880DB MKII: Compact Hi-Fi Speakers With Serious Ambition

Edifier S880DB MKII aims to be a complete stereo solution in a compact footprint: active amplification, hi-res digital inputs, modern Bluetooth, and a carefully tuned driver upgrade over the original S880DB. This article looks at what has changed, how it actually sounds in real-world use, and who will get the most out of it.

Design & Build: Compact, Stylish, and Space-Friendly

Visually, the S880DB MKII keeps the clean, modern aesthetic Edifier is known for. Wood-effect side panels and a crisp front baffle give it a look that sits comfortably in contemporary interiors, whether that’s a minimalist desk, a small living-room shelf, or a bedroom sideboard.

The footprint is compact, especially compared to many traditional Hi-Fi bookshelf speakers. That makes positioning easier on smaller desks and tighter shelves, while the cabinets still feel solid and well-constructed. This solidity is not just cosmetic – it helps control resonance and contributes to the tidy, controlled sound character.

Connectivity & Features: An All-in-One Stereo Hub

One of the biggest strengths of the S880DB MKII is how versatile it is in terms of connections. Out of the box you get:

USB-C for direct digital connection to laptops and desktops
Optical and coaxial digital inputs for TVs, media players, or consoles
Dual RCA line-ins for analog sources like DACs, mixers, or turntables (with phono preamp)
Bluetooth with LDAC for high-quality wireless streaming from phones, tablets, and laptops
Subwoofer out if you decide to add more low-end later

This range of options means the S880DB MKII can act as a central hub for a compact system: a single pair of speakers that handles work-from-home audio by day, TV and movie sound at night, and casual music streaming at any time.

How Does the S880DB MKII Sound?

Balanced, Clear, and Confident

With its upgraded titanium tweeter and updated mid-bass driver, the S880DB MKII delivers a sound that many listeners will consider “just right” for everyday and focused listening. The tuning leans toward balance and clarity rather than exaggerated bass or piercing highs.

Vocals are clean and intelligible, guitars and pianos carry good texture, and the bass is tight rather than boomy. For most music styles – from pop and rock to jazz and acoustic – the speakers keep things tidy and engaging, especially at typical desk or small-room listening levels.

Bass & Low-End Behaviour

Edifier’s driver revisions extend the usable low-end down to around 50 Hz, which is impressive for cabinets of this size. You won’t get subwoofer-level impact, but kick drums, bass guitars, and cinematic rumble have more weight and smoothness than you might expect from a compact pair.

Soundstage & Imaging

The S880DB MKII offers precise imaging – instruments and voices are easy to place between the speakers, which works especially well in near-field (desk) setups. The trade-off is that the overall soundstage can feel somewhat contained rather than huge or “room-filling”.

For most users, especially those listening at a desk or in a modest room, this focused presentation is perfectly fine. For listeners chasing a very wide, airy presentation for orchestral or big cinematic soundtracks, it’s worth knowing that larger speakers will still have an advantage here.

Real-World Use Cases: Who Is It For?

The S880DB MKII sits in a sweet spot between sound-bar simplicity and traditional Hi-Fi complexity. It suits several types of listeners particularly well:

Desktop / work-from-home users who want a proper stereo upgrade over basic PC speakers or small Bluetooth boxes.
Small-apartment or bedroom listeners who need real presence and clarity without huge cabinets or extra components.
TV and media enthusiasts who prefer stereo speakers to a soundbar, and are happy using optical or coaxial inputs.
Newcomers to Hi-Fi who want to avoid building a separate amp + DAC stack but still want a step up in sound quality.

For all of these cases, the MKII’s combination of build, tuning, and connectivity makes it a strong “plug-in and enjoy” solution.

Reference

This article draws on hands-on impressions and measurements from the following in-depth review:
Edifier S880DB MKII Active Hi-Fi Speaker Review – AVForums