Edifier is a brand that features quite prominently in our list of the best computer speakers, covering off both our ‘best high end’ and ‘best premium’ categories with larger, more expensive speakers that sound great for their price tag.
If you’ve been after a smaller set of desktop monitors though, then their newer MR3 model is a rather good choice in my testing. What’s more, using code JULYPAY20 at Vital Link’s eBay store, it brings them down to £72. That’s a 20 percent saving on the usual £90 price they are elsewhere, so a genuine reduction on a good set of monitors.
The MR3 comes in either black or white, with these units being the former. They’re quite fetching with the copper accents on the drivers and control knob on the right speaker. While they are plastic, the quality used is dense, and means they feel sturdy. Having a smaller profile also means the MR3 is easier to place where you want to, be it on a desk or on a sideboard. You also get a pair of 3.5mm jacks on the front of the right speaker, with one for connecting headphones, and the other for connecting a playback device.
Connectivity is pretty good, with support for Bluetooth 5.4 as well as RCA-line in and balanced TRS wired inputs on the rear. These come alongside the pair of 3.5mm jacks on the front. I had no issues with Bluetooth or 3.5mm use in my experience with these units. There is also a companion app whre you can choose between different audio profiles, or fiddle with an EQ to balance their sound how you wish.
The general audio quality afforded by the MR3 leans into the clean, inoffensive sound you want out of a set of studio monitors, as Edifier markets these speakers to be. I found them to be rather smooth and clean, alongside solid bass, even if they lack a certain depth, only going down to 52Hz. The soundstage is also nice and wide, lending these speakers to work well for more immersive and directional gaming loads, too.
If you’ve been after an affordable and capable set of desktop speakers for less, this Edifier MR3 deal from eBay is a fantastic one.