Edifier QR65

Edifier's $369.99 QR65 speakers provide a flexible listening experience thanks to their multiple physical audio connections, high-quality Bluetooth codec support, and optional subwoofer port. Moreover, their combination of transparent faceplates and elegant lighting makes for a compelling design. They also have a built-in high-speed charger for powering external devices. Isolated speech can sometimes cause a weird resonance during playback, but we still highly recommend this Edifier system if you want a serious upgrade to your desktop audio experience. If you want more bass power, don't count out the Editors' Choice-winning Audioengine A5+ Wireless for $499.

Design: Retro-Future Style

The QR65 speakers are gorgeous. Edifier wraps the MDF enclosures in black or white leatherette, while semi-transparent, LED-lit faceplates with an infinity mirror effect surrounding the drivers. Overall, they look elegant and slightly trippy. The drivers don't have covers and the faceplates tend to show smudges, so just be careful when you handle them. You can choose between several lighting effects via the hardware controls or the app. A few are reactive, and one cleverly shows the current volume level.

(Credit: Mark Knapp)

The speakers are a fairly reasonable size. The right active satellite measures 8.4 by 5.6 by 8.5 inches (HWD) and weighs 6.4 pounds, while the passive left unit is a bit smaller and lighter (8.4 by 5.1 by 8.3 inches, 5.2 pounds).

(Credit: Mark Knapp)

Each speaker houses a pair of drivers: a 1.25-inch, 15W tweeter with a silk diaphragm and a 2.75-inch, 20W mid-low driver with an aluminum alloy diaphragm. They combine to cover a frequency range of 55Hz to 40kHz. For comparison, the Audioengine A5+ Wireless speakers offer up to 150W of total power and cover a frequency range of 50Hz to 22kHz.

The right satellite has a few physical controls on the side. At the top of the panel is a button for cycling through connections and initiating the pairing process; an accompanying LED indicator shows the current setting. A volume knob below that spins freely, while the last knob adjusts the brightness of the interior LEDs. Both knobs are clickable. Press the volume knob to mute the speakers or control playback depending on the current mode and hold it down to toggle the Bluetooth connection. Press the LED knob once to change lighting effects or hold it down to reset the system to factory settings.

(Credit: Mark Knapp)

The rear of the active speaker has a host of ports, as well as vents for the dual Class-D amplifiers. You get RCA stereo connectors here and a USB-A input for high-res wired playback. The box includes a 3.5mm to RCA audio cable, a USB-A-to-USB-A cable for connecting to your PC, and a power cable. A subwoofer out port also resides here. The active speaker relies on a proprietary cable (with what appears to be a 7-pin DIN connector) to link up with the passive speaker since it carries over both audio and a control signal for the lighting. A reflex port on the back of both speakers serves as a convenient grip for carrying them.

(Credit: Mark Knapp)

In addition to the audio connectors, the active satellite has a built-in GaN charger that can pump out 65W total via its two USB-C ports and one USB-A port (separate from its audio USB-A port). This capability is certainly a bonus, though the ports might be inconvenient to access regularly since they are on the back.

Edifier includes aluminum stands to angle the speakers up by 10 degrees. They align the tweeters more ideally with your ears. Both the speakers and stands have vibration-absorbing feet that help keep them from sliding around too easily.

As for wireless connectivity, the speakers support Bluetooth 5.3 and work with the SBC and LDAC codecs. The latter is good news for Android device owners because it enables high-res streaming, though Apple device and Windows PC users miss out on AAC support. The Audioengine A5+ offers AAC and AptX HD, for comparison.

App Experience: Simple, But Effective

You can pair the Edifier QR65 speakers with the Edifier ConneX app (available for Android and iOS), but it's not a requirement. I appreciate that the app doesn't force you to set up an account.

(Credit: Edifier)

The app primarily allows you to switch inputs and adjust the volume quickly but it goes a bit further. The biggest draw is the EQ in the Sound Effects section. Here, you can use six bands between 62Hz and 16kHz to create several custom profiles.

You can also adjust the LEDs from the app. The Lightning section gives you direct access to the various patterns rather than requiring you to cycle through them via the hardware knob. Color customizations are available, too.

Most importantly for audiophiles, the app lets you enable the LDAC codec. You might need to reconnect the speakers before this change takes hold. Using LDAC requires a compatible phone or other playback device.

Otherwise, the app shows which charging ports are active and how much power they provide.

Sound Quality: Bumping Speakers With No Distortion

Overall, the Edifier QR65 speakers pump out some serious sound with thumping bass. On The Knife’s "Silent Shout," the beat drives the track forward with a constant energy, while the MIDI lines pass through the upper registers cleanly. At their top volume level, the speakers rattle my office but don’t suffer from any noticeable distortion. They provide good stereo separation and create a clear phantom center.

(Credit: Mark Knapp)

That said, Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty.” highlights the speakers’ lack of sub-bass. Although the track feels full, the deepest notes from the progression at the 34-second mark sound weak and indistinct. The frequency range goes down just to 55Hz, after all. Of course, Edifier designs the QR65 speakers to use with a subwoofer, so you should pick one up if you listen to a lot of music with deep bass.

Bill Callahan’s “Drover" comes across as a rich palette of sounds. His baritone vocals are heavy and powerful, while the drums provide a weighty background. The acoustic guitar plays through naturally, while the various other instrumentation rings out subtly and cleanly. The speakers do rely on digital signal processing (DSP) to an extent, though the track remains wonderfully nuanced and expressive.

The speakers can run into issues with speech, however: I noted a consistent resonance when I tried listening to spoken audio, such as podcasts. This effect was imperceptible during music playback and gaming.

Verdict: Style Meets Substance

The Edifier QR65 speakers are gorgeous, support a lot of audio setups, and provide a subwoofer output for more bass depth. And we can't deny the usefulness of the built-in GaN charger and the cool factor of the LEDs, even if they inflate the price. You shouldn't hesitate to get the QR65 speakers if you want detailed, immersive sound paired with style to match. We're also fans of Audioengine's A5+ Wireless speakers, which pump out more power for a higher price. If you want to spend less, meanwhile, the $299.99 Fluance Ai61 speakers trade a companion app for a dedicated remote.