If you want better Control button responsiveness
Choose KEF Coda W. It scores 5.0 vs 2.1 for Control button responsiveness, with a 4.4 overall score.
Edifier S880DB MKII Review
Bottom Line
Choose these if you want detailed, room-filling sound, excellent connectivity, and premium styling in a compact powered pair. Skip them if you need effortless remote control, native streaming services, HDMI ARC, or truly deep bass without a subwoofer.
Best for
Best for desktop, office, or small-room listeners who want a self-contained powered hi-fi pair with detailed sound, many wired inputs, Bluetooth LDAC, and optional subwoofer expansion.
Not for
Less suitable for buyers who prioritize tactile, foolproof controls, native AirPlay or Spotify Connect, HDMI ARC, or deep bass without adding a subwoofer.
Verdict
The S880DB MKII succeeds first as a compact, self-contained hi-fi system: sound is consistently praised for clarity, detail, imaging, and surprising scale, while USB-C, optical, coaxial, RCA, Bluetooth LDAC, and a sub output make it unusually flexible. Its styling and build also feel more premium than ordinary desktop speakers. The compromises are mostly ergonomic and contextual. The touch remote frequently misreads gestures or wakes slowly, and rear-mounted physical controls are not always convenient. Bass is impressive for the cabinet size in many rooms, but some listeners still find it underextended or boomy depending on placement, so the sub output matters. Value is excellent at common discounts but less convincing at full retail, especially beside cheaper Edifier alternatives. Overall, the acoustic performance is stronger than the user interface.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
57 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.035 (61%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.49 (16%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.43 (5%)
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Negative 1.5-2.410 (18%)
Pros
-
Connectivity is one of the clearest strengths, with USB-C, optical, coaxial, and RCA options covering desktops, TVs, streamers, and other sources. The speakers are unusually flexible for a compact active pair.
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The compact footprint and strong output make these especially good for desktops, offices, and small to medium rooms. Only very tight desk spaces may find them a bit larger than ideal.
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Build, styling, connectivity, and sound combine into a highly capable compact system that earns enthusiastic recommendations. The touch remote is the clearest flaw keeping the overall experience from feeling as polished as the hardware.
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Music performance is a core strength across rock, pop, jazz, electronic, and record playback. The pair is detailed, engaging, and versatile enough to move between casual listening and more focused near-field sessions.
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Overall sound quality is the product's strongest consensus point: clean, detailed, balanced, and surprisingly full for compact active speakers. Bass depth, upper-air, and vocal character draw some criticism, but the broad sonic verdict remains very positive.
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The small OLED display is consistently well liked because it clearly shows source, volume, or mode without becoming distracting. Auto-dimming and subtle presentation suit both desks and living rooms.
Cons
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Touch-control responsiveness is a recurring weakness. Wake delays, late reactions, and accidental commands can turn simple adjustments into repeated attempts.
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HDMI ARC is missing, and that repeatedly comes up as a convenience loss for TV-centered setups. Optical is the main workaround.
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The USB-C audio input does not provide 5V power for peripherals, a missed convenience for desk setups where spare powered USB ports are valuable.
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The proprietary inter-speaker cable is repeatedly described as chunky or unwieldy. It works, but it is the least graceful part of an otherwise tidy compact setup.
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Native AirPlay is absent, which is a meaningful drawback for buyers who want Apple-centric network streaming.
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Native Spotify Connect is not supported, so Spotify users must rely on another playback path rather than direct service integration.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Bookshelf Speakers, this product is above average in Status indicators, On-device controls, Included accessories, near average in Aesthetic design / Finish options, Cabinet construction / bracing, below average in Soundstage height, AirPlay compatibility, HDMI ARC.
Comparison summary
48 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher18 (38%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts22 (46%)
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Below average 0.4+ pts lower8 (17%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soundstage height | 2.0 | 4.3 | -2.3 |
| AirPlay compatibility | 1.5 | 3.8 | -2.3 |
| HDMI ARC | 2.0 | 4.1 | -2.1 |
| Status indicators | 5.0 | 3.1 | +1.9 |
| Control button responsiveness | 2.1 | 3.9 | -1.8 |
| On-device controls | 4.4 | 3.0 | +1.3 |
| Included accessories | 5.0 | 3.6 | +1.4 |
| Audio format support | 5.0 | 3.7 | +1.3 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better HDMI ARC
Choose Edifier M90. It scores 5.0 vs 2.0 for HDMI ARC, with a 4.3 overall score.
If you want better Power bank function
Choose Kanto REN Speakers. It scores 4.0 vs 2.0 for Power bank function, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better Soundstage height
Choose Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i. It scores 4.5 vs 2.0 for Soundstage height, with a 4.7 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
Majority D80
- Worse: bass performance The S880DB MKII is described as having meatier bass than the Majority D80.
- Worse: overall performance The S880DB MKII is said to be in a different league from the Majority D80.
Edifier M60 speakers
- Worse: overall performance The S880DB MKII is considered superior overall to the M60, except for size and price.
Edifier MR3
- Alternative: size and frequency response The smaller Edifier MR3 is suggested as an alternative with excellent frequency response.
FAQ
How does the S880DB MKII sound?
It is generally clean, detailed, balanced, and spacious, with strong imaging and smooth treble. Some listeners find the midrange a little dry or the deepest bass limited, but the overall sound verdict is very positive.
Does it have enough bass without a subwoofer?
Often yes for desktop and small-room music: several tests found the bass surprisingly punchy and controlled. For the deepest movie effects or stronger sub-bass, the dedicated sub output is useful.
Is it good for a desktop or small room?
Yes. Compact size, strong output, low-volume performance, and broad connectivity make it especially well suited to desks, offices, and small to medium rooms, though very cramped desks may find it a little substantial.
Can it work well with a TV?
Yes, especially over optical, with clear dialogue and solid stereo imaging. The main TV drawback is the lack of HDMI ARC, and it does not create the same wide cinematic spread as a larger home-theater setup.
What connectivity does it offer?
The strongest options are USB-C, optical, coaxial, RCA, Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, and a subwoofer output. Native AirPlay and Spotify Connect are not supported, and aptX is also absent.
Is the remote control good?
It is the biggest weakness. The rechargeable touch puck looks modern, but gesture mistakes, accidental commands, and wake-up lag are recurring complaints; the rear physical knobs or app can reduce dependence on it.
Is it good value for money?
It is especially compelling at discounted street prices, where the sound, build, and connectivity punch above the cost. At full retail, some reviewers prefer cheaper Edifier alternatives, so pricing matters.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Deddy Mike's Life & Reviews
- Review score
- 5.0
YouTube - Prime Audio Reviews
- Review score
- 4.9
YouTube - The Audiophile Man
- Review score
- 4.6
YouTube - YuraTechnoMan
- Review score
- 3.9
Article Reviews
tomsguide.com
Not sure whether you should buy passive or active speakers? We can help break down the differences.
- Review score
- 4.8
creativebloq.com
Whether on a shelf or desk, The Edifier S880DB MkII speakers ooze class and project premium sound fidelity.
- Review score
- 4.8
primeaudio.org
The Edifier S880DB MKII sits in an interesting space between lifestyle desktop speakers and compact hi-fi systems. On paper, it looks like a...
- Review score
- 4.7
theaudiophileman.com
The 880DB speakers are small-footprint powered units that can, says Paul Rigby, be parachuted in, to solve most sonic problems
- Review score
- 4.6
trustedreviews.com
These Edifier speakers successfully merge elements of studio monitors with more lifestyle-leaning speakers
- Review score
- 4.1
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#3
This product
Edifier S880DB MKII
Choose these if you want detailed, room-filling sound, excellent connectivity, and premium styling in a compact powered pair. Skip them if you need effortless remote control, native streaming services, HDMI...
Pros: Loudness / maximum volume, Dialogue clarity (for TV/soundbar use)
Cons: AirPlay compatibility, Spotify Connect reliability
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Pros: Dialogue clarity (for TV/soundbar use), Control button responsiveness
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