Edifier S880DB

A versatile, high-quality stereo system for your desktop

- Cliff Joseph

£259.99 FROM Edifier, edifier.com FEATURES 2-channel speaker system, 2x RCA inputs, 1x USB, 1x optical, 1x coaxial, Bluetooth 4.1, remote control

Most digital speaker systems, including Apple’s new HomePod mini, consist of a single speaker and tend to focus on ‘smart’ tech, such as Wi-Fi and multi-room streaming. In contrast, Edifier’s new S880DB is a good old-fashioned two-piece stereo system that unashamedly concentrates on providing versatile wired connectivity for use with a desktop computer and other devices.

The two speakers are neatly designed, with a sturdy cabinet that is finished off with smart wooden side panels. Each speaker stands 230x125x165mm, so they’re compact enough to sit either side of your monitor without taking up too much space. However, each speaker manages to house a separate woofer and tweeter, with the two-piece system providing a very respectable 88-watt output, which is more than powerful enough to get the mood going at a dinner party.

They’re versatile too, with an array of audio inputs for all your devices. Tucked around the back of the right-hand speaker you’ll find controls for adjusting treble, bass and volume, and there’s a separate remote control as well, for quickly adjusting the sound and selecting different inputs. There’s an RCA audio connector for your computer – with an RCA-to-3.5mm cable included in the box – and a second RCA connector for other devices, such as a CD player. The S880DB also supports USB audio input – which is useful as most Macs and PCs have pretty poor analogue output – and there are optical and coaxial inputs as well (with all the required cables).