Edifier M60 overview: The audio system have an understated, stylish look.
The Edifier M60 compact desktop audio system take up little or no house in your desk. However they will declare your coronary heart if you hook them as much as your Mac for the primary time.
I am traditionally an earbuds kinda man, however the Edifier M60 audio system’ popularity caught my consideration. After spending just a few weeks with them related to my Mac, I do not know what took me so lengthy to provide a pair of audio system one other attempt.
In actual fact, I feel the final time I used audio system with my laptop was again within the late 2000s. I used to be an enormous gaming PC fanatic again then, and I am afraid to confess, I had a 5.1 speaker setup in my bed room.
Today, I am all about listening to podcasts and YouTube movies with the most recent pair of wi-fi earbuds to cross my desk. However one thing modified after I put in Edifier’s diminutive audio system.
Now, I solely fish these earbuds out after I’m listening to one thing my children in all probability should not hear, like a True Crime podcast. Or one thing notably embarrassing, like one other video about one thing the identical children would mercilessly mock me for.
However for the whole lot else, I flick my 16-inch MacBook Professional over to the M60s. Positive, I agree that Apple’s laptop computer audio system are fairly good in their very own proper. However these Edifier audio system actually do put them of their place.
As effectively, they need to. They’re small, sure, however they’re ginormous in comparison with Apple’s built-in audio system, so the disparity is to be anticipated.
What I did not count on was simply how a lot of a distinction that disparity would make in the course of the eight-to-far-too-many hours I spend at my desk every single day.
Let me clarify.
Edifier M60 audio system overview: Design
The very first thing that I observed after I unboxed these little wonders was the aesthetic. They arrive in black, white, and traditional oak finishes. I acquired the black ones for testing.
For those who’re a fan of minimalism, you will be proper at residence with these audio system in your desk. From the entrance, you see the tweeter and mid-low drivers and a gold Edifier brand.
The shortage of any guards on the entrance of the audio system does, in fact, make them a mud magnet. However I feel that the seems to be outweigh the necessity to wave a duster at them each every now and then.
Edifier M60 overview: The included stands angle the audio system in direction of your ears.
The remainder of the speaker is as black as the remaining, in my case. Nearly all of the touchable floor is ever-so-slightly matte and nearly rubbery to the contact. Virtually, however not fairly — it is exhausting to explain.
On the underside, the audio system have 4 toes to dampen vibrations if you crank the quantity up. Patrons additionally get a silver stand for every speaker, regardless of which shade is chosen.
The stand props the audio system as much as a 15-degree angle so the sound is pointed extra squarely at your ears. Edifier is aware of that almost all of its M60 audio system will wind up on desks, clearly.
Across the again, we discover the connectivity choices. There is a 3.5mm AUX port in addition to a USB-C connection. The ultimate ports are someplace to plug in some energy, and the cable that connects the left and proper audio system collectively.
A phrase on that cable, for a second. It is wanted as a result of solely the appropriate speaker is lively, handing off the left channel audio and energy to the left speaker for stereo sound.
That cable measures 1.8m, which is probably going loads lengthy sufficient for most individuals. However I am utilizing the Innocn 49-inch ultra-wide monitor I reviewed some time again, so the cable is a slight subject.
It really works, I admit. However the cable is stretched such that there’s little room for error. In actual fact, there’s even much less room for any type of cable administration.
I admit that most individuals aren’t utilizing a monitor this extensive, however I do assume the cable needs to be longer. Regardless of your monitor, a good distance between the audio system makes for a greater stereo expertise, in any case.
This all brings us to maybe one of many coolest elements of those audio system — the contact controls.
The highest of the appropriate speaker performs host to controls for energy and quantity. All the buttons are contact delicate, with the facility button additionally dealing with the switching of sources.
Every button is backlit and appears nice. The colour modifications relying on the supply, so blue for Bluetooth, pink for USB-C, and inexperienced for AUX.
Not everybody likes contact controls, I am conscious. However I feel they are a good compromise right here as a result of they maintain the clear, minimalist traces Edifier was clearly going for. I am a fan.
Edifier M60 audio system overview: Specs
Speaker specs aren’t all the time probably the most attention-grabbing of issues, nor are they probably the most prolonged. With that in thoughts, let’s get these out of the way in which so we will transfer on to one thing extra attention-grabbing.
Every speaker is rated for 15W treble and 18W mid-low audio from their 1-inch silk dome tweeters and 3-inch long-throw aluminum diaphragm mid-low drivers. Frequency response is available in at 58 Hz – 40 kHz with a signal-to-noise ratio of 85dB(A).
Edifier M60 overview: Contact controls will be discovered on the highest of the appropriate speaker.
Bluetooth 5.3 is supported alongside the aforementioned wired connectivity, and the SBC and LDAC codecs are additionally supported. AirPlay 2 help would have been good, however beggars cannot be choosers.
As for the dimensions, Edifier measures its M60 audio system at 100mm extensive x 168mm excessive x 147mm deep. I knew they had been small, however I wasn’t ready for simply how small they had been after I unboxed them.
Lastly, these audio system with the Edifier Connex iPhone app, the place you possibly can swap sources, select your most popular EQ settings, and extra. It is a workable app, if uninspiring, and it will get the job executed.
However none of this issues if these audio system do not additionally get the job executed. Fortunately, they do.
Edifier M60 audio system overview: A straightforward alternative for Mac homeowners
For those who’re studying this, you are in all probability going to hook these audio system as much as a Mac. Possibly join an iPhone or iPad by way of Bluetooth, too. And also you completely ought to.
As I discussed, these audio system have spent the previous few weeks related to my 16-inch MacBook Professional by way of USB-C. They had been related to the Anker Prime Thunderbolt 5 dock I reviewed beforehand.
Connectivity labored as anticipated, and with out fuss. I plugged the whole lot in, switched the Mac’s output to the “Edifier M60” possibility in my Menu Bar, and waited.
I waited as a result of I needed to give my go-to speaker and earbud testing tune to get going. Dire Straits’ Cash for Nothing, by way of Apple Music, when you should know — I am in my 40s and spent my youth listening to my Dad’s alternative of music within the automotive.
If you realize the tune, you will know that it takes a minute to get going. Then as soon as it does, there is a drop with loads of drums and guitars that, frankly, nonetheless makes the hairs on the again of my neck arise. Particularly after I’m listening by way of the appropriate gear.
The Edifier M60 audio system didn’t disappoint.
Edifier M60 overview: The speaker connecting the audio system collectively may very well be longer.
The bass is surprisingly sturdy given their measurement, all whereas avoiding the whole lot else changing into muddy and vague. Do they sound like world-beating audiophile audio system? No, in fact not.
However they sound like what they’re — a wonderful pair of small desktop audio system which might be at residence enjoying your favourite rib-breaking tune as they’re enjoying YouTube movies.
I additionally put the audio system by means of their justifiable share of gaming. For those who’ve learn my opinions earlier than, you will know I am an Nvidia GeForce Now subscriber, and the audio system had been nice when enjoying the PC variations of Avowed, Atomfall, and Doom: The Darkish Ages, amongst others.
Once more, the bass did its job whereas the stereo separation meant that I might simply inform the place enemies had been capturing at me (and often hitting me) from. And the quantity goes excessive sufficient that my household needed to come and inform me to show it down greater than as soon as. So there’s that.
So you understand how I really feel in regards to the Edifier M60, however how a lot will they price if you wish to add some to your personal desk? They usually retail for round $200, although they’re typically out there for a smidge much less right here and there. All three colours are the identical value, too.
Are there cheaper methods to ditch your earbuds? Completely. However will you get a significantly better expertise, aesthetic, and importantly, sound for spending the $200?
Once more, completely.
Edifier M60 audio system overview: Professionals
- Extremely small audio system
- A lovely aesthetic
- Sturdy bass with out contains elsewhere
- Three connectivity choices
Edifier M60 audio system overview: Cons
- The speaker cable may very well be longer
- No AirPlay 2 help
- Not everybody likes contact controls
Edifier M60 audio system overview: 4 out of 5
The place to purchase the Edifier M60 audio system
The Edifier M60 audio system can be found from Amazon in all three colours for $199.99. Nevertheless, there are sometimes reductions that cut back that value by various quantities.
