Edifier is greatest recognized for its powered bookshelf audio system — the R1280DBs continues to be a terrific possibility in order for you a house speaker — and the Chinese producer has turned its consideration to the true wi-fi phase in current months, rolling out a slew of merchandise that ship a very good worth.The QD35 is a singular providing in that it’s a Bluetooth speaker, however it’s geared toward residence use — it at all times must be plugged in, limiting its portability. While that makes it not as versatile as a few of the different selections you get on this class, the upside is that you simply get dynamic lighting results, a singular see-through design, and 35W charging.Retailing at $199, the QD35 goes up in opposition to the likes of the Tribit StormBox Blast, so let’s check out what you are getting right here, and whether or not it is a good possibility to your residence.Edifier QD35 (White) at Walmart for $149.99Edifier QD35: Pricing and availability(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Edifier launched the QD35 again in February, and it is now out there in all international markets the place the producer has an official presence. You can get it for $199 on Amazon U.S., and it prices an identical quantity in different areas.Edifier QD35: What I like(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Obviously, we have to begin with the design. Edifier is not actually recognized for its daring design aesthetic; its audio system often have a protected design that permits them to merge into the background, however the QD35 is all about getting consideration. The white coloration scheme together with the LED lighting results make it instantly stand out, and I daresay that is the best-looking speaker I’ve used to this point. Of course, I like RGB lighting and see-through designs, so if that is not the fashion you are on the lookout for, this is not the product for you.The twin drivers are positioned on the middle, and so they’re encased in a transparent housing that makes the lighting results that rather more dynamic. There’s a shroud behind the drivers, and this can be a smart transfer by Edifier because it provides the QD35 a cleaner look — an actual see-though enclosure would not look pretty much as good as there’d be wires in all places.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Edifier additionally made the perfect of the design and built-in a tiny display on the backside left nook. This reveals the time, connection mode, and serves as a visible indicator when Bluetooth pairing is energetic. The proper of the QD35 homes the dials: a multifunction energy button that permits you to change between Bluetooth, USB, and 3.5mm audio modes, quantity knob, and a button to cycle by means of the lighting results.The high contains a large Edifier emblem, and the slotted design provides to the boldness of the speaker — the QD35 is all about being flashy. The left facet is attention-grabbing because it has a USB-A port alongside a USB-C port. You can cost your telephone or different equipment through the QD35 whereas blasting music, and this can be a fairly nifty use case — one which I leveraged fairly a bit within the three months I used the speaker. Round the again, you get the ability toggle, 3.5mm and USB ports.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)There’s little question that the styling is a giant draw right here, however the resolution to make use of uncovered drivers is a bit shortsighted as it is simple sufficient to push the tweeter inward. That stated, the transfer provides the QD35 a presence in contrast to most different audio system, and to Edifier’s credit score, you possibly can simply change lighting results and customise the patterns.Overall, I just like the design fairly a bit right here; positive, it will not be to everybody’s tastes, however for those who choose RGB lighting and desire a Bluetooth speaker that stands out, that is the one to get. On that be aware, I’ll add that the clear plastic that is used on the entrance is vulnerable to mud and smudges, so you will want to scrub it with a modicum of regularity in order for you it wanting pristine.Image 1 of 5(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)There’s additionally lots to love on the connectivity facet of issues; the QD35 has Bluetooth 5.3, USB-A, and a 3.5mm in. I used it with Bluetooth more often than not, however you possibly can simply join it to a Windows machine, and with Hi-Res branding, you possibly can stream high-res tunes — supplied you’ve gotten a telephone that makes use of the LDAC codec.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)While I did not want the characteristic as a lot, a singular capacity on the QD35 is charging ports — you get a USB-C and USB-A ports right here, and the USB-C goes as much as 35W. I plugged within the Vivo V29 and Pixel 8 Pro to the QD35, and the charging port did an honest sufficient job with both gadget. If you are eyeing this as an answer to your desk, then I suppose the inclusion of two charging ports makes quite a lot of sense.Edifier QD35: What wants work(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The QD35 has a 3-inch woofer that places out 25W and a 15W 1-inch silk dome tweeter, and though the unit seems to be relatively giant, it solely delivers 40W of sound. That’s a little bit of a letdown, because the sound that you simply get out of this factor is not significantly spectacular. It is respectable sufficient, however flip up the quantity and it begins to get a bit too vibrant. There’s no important bass presence right here, and that in the end makes the QD35 not as fulfilling.Tribit’s StormBox Blast is just marginally bigger, and it manages to accommodate two 30W woofers, making it sound that rather more full of life. Edifier ought to have executed extra with the low-end, because the weedy bass mixed with an overzealous mid-range makes the QD35 sound nowhere pretty much as good as different Bluetooth audio system on this class.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)That does not imply that it sounds dangerous; to its credit score, Edifier did an honest job with the tuning, however the design of the drivers mixed with the scale restrictions imply it does not sound anyplace pretty much as good because it ought to. By distinction, the $150 R1280DBS sounds far more vibrant throughout the board.The different quibble I’ve with the QD35 is that there is not any built-in battery, so it must be plugged in to work. This is a shortsighted transfer in my view, because the lighting results mixed with the distinctive design give the QD35 loads of potential as a celebration speaker. That is not being utilized due to its requirement to be plugged in, and Edifier actually wants to contemplate making a transportable model of this factor.Edifier QD35: The competitors(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Right now, the StormBox Blast is my suggestion in order for you the perfect Bluetooth speaker within the $200 class. It additionally has LED lighting — though nowhere as distinct because the QD35 — and it homes a large battery, produces excellent sound, and has an XBass mode that accentuates low-end frequencies.Edifier QD35: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)You should purchase this if:You want a Bluetooth speaker with a singular designYou desire a speaker with built-in charging portsYou want Bluetooth in addition to USB and 3.5mm connectivityYou desire a extremely customizable soundYou should not purchase this if:You want a transportable speakerYou need actually good sound qualityUltimately, it is the sound high quality that lets the QD35 down. Edifier did an impressive job with the design, and I need to see the producer proceed to construct out the aesthetic with subsequent launches. But it is clear that there is quite a lot of work that must be executed on the audio entrance — each by way of the drivers and their positioning.There additionally must be a transportable model of the QD35; it is all effectively and good that you simply get charging ports and customizable lighting results, however a giant use case with a Bluetooth speaker is portability, and also you miss out on that right here. A smaller mannequin with a built-in battery and higher sound makes quite a lot of sense, and I’d be keen on making an attempt that out — if it ever involves fruition. If you just like the design and do not thoughts the restricted sound potential, the QD35 remains to be a very good possibility. But in order for you room-filling sound and a transportable design, there is not any scarcity of choices.
The QD35 has a particular fashion with a see-through design, and also you even get 35W charging. That stated, the sound high quality is proscribed, and also you miss out on portability.
Edifier QD35: Price Comparison