Edifier ES300 Review – Do It All

Sound –  

Edifier always tune likeable consumer-friendly speakers, and the ES300 is no different. It isn’t a reference monitor as one should not expect from such a product. The speaker instead offers a pleasant, lightly coloured sound that is musical yet natural. It won’t shake your walls with the most subterranean sub-bass, nor are its highs especially etched, but the ES300 delivers a full, room-filling sound with well-judged overall balance. There is a modest emphasis on bass, specifically the mid-bass, which reinforces this impression and gives the speaker an inviting punch and warmth that would be on par with a pair of small midrange bookshelf speakers. The midrange is balanced and clearly presented with no timbral oddities. Highs are crisp with enough detail to engage but are reserved enough to prevent fatigue and intensity, especially at high volumes. DRC feels quite effective here, preventing clipping at high volumes but also increasing bass presence at low listening volumes to some degree.  

With that said, I was quite impressed at how the speaker opens up at medium to higher volumes. Despite being relatively compact as far as bookshelf speakers are concerned, the ES300 serves a surprisingly punchy and well-extended bass response even in larger spaces such as a 2-car garage – albeit you’ll want a rear surface to reflect bass off in these conditions. In smaller rooms at lower volumes, bass is more reserved, upholding a more balanced listening experience. Sub-bass is audible but never felt, with a clear rumble but little sense of pressure and slam; expected from any speaker system without a subwoofer. Larger 2.0 speakers obviously offer more depth and impact, but the ES300 provides enough extension to achieve the sensation of a full-range sound, so you rarely feel you’re missing out.  

Above, the mid-bass is punchy, full and well expressed. It is textured and responsive, lacking the plastic timbre of smaller portable speakers that rely more heavily on harmonics to boost low-end volume. With that said, this is the ES300’s double-edged sword as mid-bass can sound boomy at higher volumes when the speaker is placed in a corner. Giving the rear a bit more air space helps to balance things out in such scenarios. Be mindful of this if you expect the speaker to occupy a shelf. It is, otherwise, full enough to retain balance when outdoors with no surfaces to amplify its bass reflex system.  

Mids are natural and well-defined. Male and female vocals are both well-balanced and clearly expressed, in addition to being separated amply from the low-end. Though a little warmth spills over, they never suffer from fuzz or veil in the slightest. I wouldn’t expect superb resolution of fine detail or the most detailed layering and imaging, given the dimensions of the speaker system. But the tonality is very appealing and strikes a good balance between forgiveness and clarity, which gives the speaker strong genre versatility.  

While dual tweeters make an appearance, the top-end is generally reserved and lacks intensity and, in so doing, fatiguing properties. It has a crisp lower treble serving to increase the definition of foreground details, cymbals and percussion that sit in balance with the midrange. The speaker rolls off progressively thereafter, with a dark background and minimal sparkle and micro detail. I wouldn’t expect such at this price or with this form factor. The ES300 does still provide some background details in the mid-treble. Air, and shimmer are apparent and enjoyable without becoming splashy, strident or overdamped. While highs don’t steal the show, they complement the remaining sound well with solid foreground detail retrieval, but don’t expect huge nuance above like a premium speaker may provide.  

Verdict –  

The ES300 is far from a cheap speaker, but it does undercut most consumer options from Apple themselves and competitors such as Sonos. It has a timeless design that feels minimal yet premium, with tastefully executed lighting features too. Edifier has stuck to good, simple acoustic design, which results in a clear, balanced yet richened listening experience. The DSP and DRC aren’t too obtrusive but subtly enhance listening across the volume range. While you don’t get the most expansive IO, the ES300 is undoubtedly well featured and capable in this regard, alongside offering an internal battery that most competitors of this size and intended use case lack. It’s not compact, but still surprised me with the range of its sound and ability to provide a full sound in larger rooms and outdoors. The ES300 is a mature and well-designed hybrid product that offers great versatility without sacrificing performance.  

The ES300 is available for $399 AUD at the time of writing. You can read more about it and secure one for yourself at Edifier! I am not affiliated with Edifier and make no earnings from purchases made through these links.