Edifier Soundbar Review: The Undisputed Budget Champion for TV Audio
## Introduction Modern TVs are getting thinner and sharper, but their sound quality keeps getting worse. Most flat-screen TVs' built-in speakers are constraine
Introduction
Modern TVs are getting thinner and sharper, but their sound quality keeps getting worse. Most flat-screen TVs’ built-in speakers are constrained by the slim chassis — thin bass, muddy vocals, distortion at high volume. “It makes sound” is honestly the kindest description. That’s why a soundbar has become the single most worthwhile investment for your TV.
In the soundbar market, Edifier’s B series occupies a special place. As a Chinese audio manufacturer with 27 years of history, Edifier has leveraged its deep understanding of sound quality and extremely competitive pricing to earn a reputation in the ¥500 range as “the undisputed king.” From the ¥399 B2 to the ¥1799 B7 (with an 8-inch wireless subwoofer), the B series covers everything from “entry-level upgrade” to “immersive experience.”
Specifications
Edifier B3 (Best Seller)
| Item | Spec |
|---|---|
| Channels | 2.0 |
| Total Power | 90W |
| Connectivity | HDMI-ARC, Optical, AUX, Bluetooth 5.0, USB |
| Dimensions | ~1000 × 89 × 66mm |
| Remote | Included |
| Wall-Mountable | Yes |
| Price | ¥399-599 |
B Series Comparison
| Model | Channels | Power | Subwoofer | Key Feature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B2 | 2.0 | 70W | None | Entry-level | ¥299-399 |
| B3 | 2.0 | 90W | None | Best value | ¥399-599 |
| B5 | 2.1 | 210W | Wireless sub | Home theater | ¥699-999 |
| B7 | 2.1 | 320W | 8” wireless sub | Immersive | ¥1299-1799 |
Design and Build Quality
Edifier’s B series soundbars have a clean, understated design aesthetic. The long main body is covered in a black mesh panel, with metal-brushed or matte plastic accents on the top and bottom edges. It sits naturally under any 50-75 inch TV without looking out of place.
Build quality showcases Edifier’s 27 years of audio hardware expertise. The B3’s chassis is solid, with no cheap plastic feel — buttons and ports are perfectly fitted. The B7’s wireless subwoofer is a highlight: an 8-inch driver in a wooden cabinet weighing over 10kg, delivering genuine Hi-Fi-grade construction.
Installation couldn’t be simpler: plug in power → connect HDMI-ARC (or optical) to TV → power on. The B series supports wall mounting (with included brackets and a template) and comes with anti-slip feet for desktop placement.
Performance and User Experience
Sound Quality — The Benchmark at ¥500 The B3’s 90W power handles a 15-30m² living room with ease. Its biggest strength is vocal clarity — compared to built-in TV speakers, the B3’s midrange density and vocal separation are dramatically improved. For TV news, variety shows, and dramas, dialogue becomes crisp and punchy. No more constantly adjusting volume to follow conversations.
For movies, while there’s no separate subwoofer, the B3 uses DSP signal processing to simulate some low-frequency effects. Explosions and engine sounds have a presence — though depth can’t match a dedicated sub. Movie enthusiasts should at least consider the B5.
If your budget stretches to ¥700-1800, the B5 and B7 open up a completely different world:
- B5 (210W + wireless sub): Bass starts to hit hard — action movies and sci-fi feel “cinematic”
- B7 (320W + 8-inch wireless sub): The massive subwoofer can make your entire living room shake. Its impact rivals Sony/Samsung systems priced at ¥3000+
Versatile Connectivity HDMI-ARC is the primary connection method — it carries audio from the TV back to the soundbar, and your TV remote controls the soundbar’s volume and power. The B series also supports optical, AUX, Bluetooth, and USB (for music from a flash drive). It can even function as a standalone Bluetooth speaker — just switch to Bluetooth input for music.
User Reviews
“Massive TV audio upgrade at 1/3 the price of major brands.” — JD.com user (B3, 100K+ reviews, 4.7/5)
“Easy setup — plug and play, vocals became so clear.” — JD.com user
“The subwoofer kicks in and the whole living room shakes.” — JD.com user (B7, 50K+ reviews, 4.8/5)
“Compared it with Samsung Q600B — this wins on value hands-down.” — JD.com user
“Excellent budget soundbar. Huge upgrade over TV speakers.” — Amazon user (B3, 4.4/5)
“Better than Samsung/TCL soundbars at the same price point.” — Amazon user
On Smzdm, the B3 is thoroughly reviewed as the “¥500-range soundbar king” — almost no competitor matches its vocal clarity and build at this price. Reddit’s r/BudgetAudiophile community also praises the B series for its value.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent value (1/2 to 1/3 the price of international brands)
- Great sound quality with dramatically improved vocal clarity
- Elegant, refined build quality
- Versatile connectivity (HDMI-ARC/Optical/Bluetooth/USB)
- Simple plug-and-play installation
- Trusted brand (27 years in audio)
- B7’s subwoofer delivers thrilling bass
- Remote included
- Wall-mountable or desktop placement
Cons
- No Dolby Atmos support (no overhead sound effects)
- B3/B2 lack a dedicated subwoofer — bass is limited
- Some models have only one HDMI port (ARC only)
- Less internationally recognized than Samsung/Sony
- Limited advanced audio format support (DTS:X, etc.)
- No upgrade path for rear surround speakers
FAQ
Q1: How big is the gap between B3 and B5/B7? Is the upgrade worth it? The core difference is in the low end. The B3 (2.0, no subwoofer) is weak in bass — perfectly fine for news, variety shows, and dramas. But if you mainly watch movies, game, or want immersive sound, strongly consider at least the B5 (with wireless subwoofer) — the bass difference is transformative. The B7’s 8-inch sub is flagship-class.
Q2: Soundbar vs traditional bookshelf speakers (like Edifier R1700BT) — which is better? Traditional bookshelf speakers sound better for music listening (separation, soundstage, detail). Soundbars are more convenient for TV/movie use (clean look, simple setup, ARC remote integration). If you mainly listen to music, go with bookshelf speakers. If you mainly watch TV/movies, choose a soundbar.
Q3: HDMI-ARC vs optical — which is better and why? HDMI-ARC is better. It supports Dolby Digital audio return, CEC linkage (TV remote controls soundbar volume and power), and more. Optical only carries audio — no volume control linkage. ARC is standard on virtually all modern TVs, so compatibility isn’t a concern.
Q4: Does the B7 support Dolby Atmos? No. The B7 supports Dolby Audio (Dolby Digital), but has no upward-firing channels. At this price range, Dolby Atmos requires dedicated soundbars with reflective-height channels (typically ¥2000+). For Atmos, consider the Sony HT-A3000 series and above.
Q5: Is the B3 (no subwoofer) good enough for movies? Adequate but not great. The B3’s 90W produces decent sound pressure in a 20m² room, vocals are clear, but low-end (explosions, impacts, engine sounds) relies on DSP simulation — lacking texture and punch. Movie enthusiasts should start with the B5 at minimum.
Verdict and Rating
Edifier’s B series soundbars offer the best way to dramatically upgrade your TV’s audio at a reasonable price. The B3 delivers impeccable vocal clarity and dead-simple installation at ¥400-600, while the B7 at ¥1300-1800 delivers bass impact that rivals ¥3000+ international-brand systems. Whether your budget is ¥400 or ¥1800, the Edifier B series delivers more than you’d expect.
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6/5)
- Sound Quality: 4.3/5 (B3) / 4.7/5 (B7)
- Build Quality: 4.6/5
- Connectivity: 4.5/5
- Value for Money: 4.8/5 (B3) / 4.5/5 (B7)
- Ease of Setup: 4.7/5