For years, my home office audio was a compromise. Like many, I relied on the built-in speakers of my monitor or a cheap, plastic 2.1 computer speaker set that buzzed with interference and turned deep bass notes into a muddy, indistinct thud. It was functional for system sounds and the occasional video call, but for anything more—listening to my favorite albums while working, getting lost in the atmospheric soundtrack of a new game, or editing audio for a project—it was a constant source of frustration. The sound was thin, lifeless, and fatiguing. I knew I needed an upgrade, but the thought of delving into the world of receivers, amplifiers, and passive speaker wiring felt like a daunting and expensive rabbit hole. I craved that rich, detailed sound I experienced with good headphones, but in the open air of my room, without the complexity and cost of a full Hi-Fi separates system. This search for an all-in-one, high-quality, and versatile audio solution is what ultimately led me to the world of active bookshelf speakers.
- DIGITAL / ANALOG INPUTS – RCA/Aux for PC, turntables, etc; Optical/Coaxial for lossless connection; Bluetooth for convenience
- BLUETOOTH V4.0 - Latest wireless technology for playing from phones, tablets or laptops
- TREBLE/BASS CONTROL, SUB-LINE OUT: Adjust bass, treble, volume and toggle inputs on rear panel. Need a little more oomph? Add a subwoofer to your 2.0 setup by simply connecting to the sub-out jack
What to Consider Before Investing in Active Bookshelf Speakers
An active bookshelf speaker system is more than just a pair of speakers; it’s a key solution for achieving high-fidelity sound in a compact, user-friendly package. By integrating the amplifier directly into one of the speaker cabinets, these systems eliminate the need for a separate, bulky receiver. This solves the primary problem for those with limited space or a desire for a minimalist setup, whether it’s on a desktop, in a small living room, or for a bedroom TV setup. The main benefits are simplicity, space-saving design, and a cost-effective path to audio quality that far surpasses typical computer speakers, soundbars, or all-in-one bluetooth devices. They offer a true stereo experience, creating an immersive soundstage that single-unit speakers simply cannot replicate.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the exact dilemma I was: a PC user, gamer, or music lover who wants to significantly upgrade their audio without a steep learning curve or a multi-component system. They’re also perfect for vinyl enthusiasts just starting out with a turntable that has a built-in or external preamp, or anyone looking to improve their TV’s sound beyond what a basic soundbar can offer. Conversely, this type of product might not be suitable for die-hard audiophiles who prefer the granular control and component-matching of a passive speaker and high-end amplifier setup. It’s also not for those who need to fill a cavernous great room with thunderous sound, as systems in this class are typically designed for near-field or small-to-medium room listening.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Measure your intended space carefully. Bookshelf speakers, while compact, are significantly larger than typical desktop speakers. Consider not just the width and height, but also the depth, especially on a cluttered desk. The angled design of some speakers, like the Edifier R1850DB, is specifically optimized for desktop use, directing sound upwards towards your ears, which can be a huge advantage.
- Performance & Connectivity: Look at the total power output (measured in Watts RMS) and the size of the drivers (woofer for bass, tweeter for highs). A 4-inch woofer is a common sweet spot for this category, offering a good balance of punch and clarity. Critically, examine the available inputs—Optical and Coaxial offer pristine digital connections from PCs or TVs, RCA is essential for turntables and other analog gear, and Bluetooth adds wireless convenience. A dedicated subwoofer-out port is a massive bonus, allowing you to easily upgrade to a 2.1 system later for more powerful bass.
- Build Quality & Materials: The cabinet material has a direct impact on sound. Look for speakers made from Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) rather than plastic. MDF is dense and acoustically inert, which means it resists vibrations and resonance, leading to a cleaner, more accurate sound without unwanted coloration or buzzing. The quality of the finish and the feel of the control knobs also speak to the overall durability and user experience.
- Ease of Use & Control: A key benefit of active speakers is their plug-and-play nature. However, consider the control options. Are there physical knobs for adjusting bass, treble, and volume on the speaker itself? How functional is the included remote control? The ability to fine-tune the sound to your preference and easily switch between sources is crucial for long-term satisfaction.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- 2 x AUX INPUT - Convenient connection to any device that has a 3.5mm headphone output or dual RCA output. Play from two devices via AUX at the same time, no plugging and switching needed
- EXPERIENCE AMAZING HOME THEATER SOUND WITH RICH, IMMERSIVE AUDIO – Featuring a 0.75" tweeter and a 5.25" Dynamic Balance driver, these passive bookshelf speakers deliver clear, balanced sound with...
- Each speaker in the Stage 2 series features Polycellulose ribbed cone woofers
Unboxing the Edifier R1850DB: First Impressions and Core Features
Pulling the Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers from their box, the first thing we noticed was the reassuring heft. These are not flimsy, plastic speakers. The cabinets are constructed from solid MDF with a clean, black wood finish that feels both premium and understated, capable of blending into a gaming setup or a more traditional living room environment. Edifier includes everything you need to get started right away: a generous length of speaker wire to connect the active (right) and passive (left) units, an RCA-to-RCA cable, a 3.5mm-to-RCA cable, and even a fiber optic cable—a welcome inclusion that many competitors omit. The speakers themselves have a distinctive 10-degree upward slant, a thoughtful design choice that directs the sound toward the listener’s ears when placed on a desktop, minimizing sound reflections off the desk surface. The included remote is small and simple, but it covers all the essential functions: volume, mute, and input switching. It’s a solid first impression that speaks to a product designed with both quality and user convenience in mind.
Key Benefits
- Rich, clear, and balanced sound profile for the price point.
- Exceptional connectivity: Optical, Coaxial, Dual RCA, and Bluetooth.
- Game-changing subwoofer output for easy expansion to a 2.1 system.
- Solid MDF wood construction reduces resonance and improves sound quality.
- Thoughtful 10-degree angled design ideal for near-field desktop listening.
Potential Drawbacks
- Bass, while present, may not satisfy users who crave deep, sub-bass rumble without an external subwoofer.
- The included remote control is functional but feels basic and is easily misplaced.
In-Depth Performance Analysis: Putting the R1850DB to the Test
A good unboxing experience means nothing if the performance doesn’t deliver. We spent several weeks with the Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers, putting them through their paces in a variety of scenarios—as primary desktop speakers for music and gaming, as an audio upgrade for a television, and as a simple setup for a turntable. Across the board, they consistently punched well above their weight class, revealing themselves to be a true jack-of-all-trades in the world of accessible audio.
Sonic Signature: A Balanced and Engaging Sound Profile
Out of the box, the first thing that struck us was the clarity. After years of listening to muddy, compressed audio from lesser speakers, the R1850DB was a revelation. The 19mm silk dome tweeters deliver crisp, detailed highs without ever becoming harsh or sibilant. Cymbals in a rock track shimmer rather than hiss, and the subtle nuances in a classical string section are easily discernible. This was confirmed by one user, a musician who needed buzz-free speakers for a digital piano concert and found the R1850DB delivered “balanced, loud, clear” sound that filled a 120-seat room. We found this to be true; the sound is remarkably clean.
The midrange, handled by the 4-inch woofer, is where these speakers truly shine. Vocals, both in music and in dialogue from movies, are forward, natural, and full-bodied. This clarity makes them fantastic for gaming, where positional audio cues and character dialogue are critical. Playing immersive titles like Gears of War 5, as one user did, we found the experience to be far more engaging than with headphones, creating a wide soundstage that made the world feel more alive. For music listening, genres from jazz and acoustic to indie rock and electronic all sounded engaging and well-represented. The speakers handled complex musical passages without collapsing the sound into a congested mess.
Now, let’s talk about the bass. The 4-inch woofer and front-facing bass reflex port do an admirable job. The bass is tight, punchy, and musical. For most genres and general listening, it’s more than sufficient and a massive step up from any standard PC speaker. However, as several users noted, and as we confirmed in our testing, they can struggle with very low frequencies, particularly below 60Hz. If you primarily listen to bass-heavy electronic music or action movies and want that visceral, room-shaking rumble, you will notice its absence. This isn’t a flaw, but rather a limitation of physics for a driver this size. Thankfully, Edifier provided the perfect solution.
The Secret Weapon: The Subwoofer Line-Out
This single feature is arguably what elevates the Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers from a great product to an absolutely phenomenal value. The dedicated 3.5mm subwoofer-out jack is a game-changer. It automatically detects when a subwoofer is connected and implements a digital crossover at 100Hz. This means the R1850DBs stop trying to produce the lowest bass frequencies and instead focus on the mids and highs they excel at, while the subwoofer takes over the heavy lifting of the low end. The result is transformative.
We paired our review unit with an 8-inch powered subwoofer, and as one user eloquently put it, this “did the trick!” The entire sound profile opened up. The midrange became even clearer and more detailed, freed from the burden of bass reproduction. And the low end became deep, powerful, and authoritative. Music had more impact, movies had cinematic rumble, and games felt explosive. The ability to start with a fantastic 2.0 system and seamlessly upgrade to a powerful 2.1 system as your budget or needs allow provides incredible flexibility and future-proofs your investment. For anyone on the fence, we can confidently say that if you love bass, the combination of these speakers with even a modest powered subwoofer creates a system that rivals setups costing twice as much. This upgrade path makes the Edifier R1850DB an incredibly smart purchase for the long term.
The Connectivity Powerhouse: A Hub for All Your Devices
In today’s multi-device world, versatility is key, and the R1850DB delivers in spades. The rear panel of the active speaker is a hub of connectivity. We tested every input extensively. The optical input provided a flawless, crystal-clear digital connection from our PC’s motherboard and our television, making it the ideal choice for high-quality sources. The dual RCA inputs are perfect for connecting analog gear. We hooked up a turntable (using an external phono preamp, as is necessary for most turntables with active speakers) and found the sound to be warm and engaging, though one user noted it didn’t have the same “kick” as CDs, which is often characteristic of the vinyl format itself.
The Bluetooth V4.0 connection was simple to pair with our smartphones and laptops. It provided a convenient way to quickly stream a podcast or playlist without being tethered by wires. While the audio quality is inherently a step down from the wired digital connections, it was stable and more than acceptable for casual listening. We did not experience the connection-dropping issue one user reported with their Echo device, suggesting it may be a source-specific problem, but it’s worth noting. The ability to switch between a PC via Optical, a turntable via RCA, and a phone via Bluetooth, all at the press of a button, makes these speakers an incredibly flexible centerpiece for a modern audio setup.
What Other Users Are Saying
After our own extensive testing, we delved into the broader user feedback to see how our experience aligned with others. The consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with most users hailing the Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers as a leader in price-to-performance. A common thread is from users who, like us, were upgrading from basic computer speakers and were simply blown away by the difference. One new owner stated, “These things make me feel like I’ve been use styrofoam cups for speakers my whole life,” a sentiment that perfectly captures the leap in quality.
Many users specifically praise the versatility. A church organist successfully used them to replace a massive, multi-amplifier speaker system for their home instrument, highlighting their power and clarity. Another, a gamer, found them far more immersive and satisfying than big-name brands they tested in retail stores. The sub-out feature is mentioned constantly as a major selling point, with many echoing our findings that adding a subwoofer takes the system to a whole new level.
On the critical side, the feedback is constructive and consistent with our findings. The most common point is that the bass, while good, won’t satisfy true bass-heads on its own. One user who listens exclusively to rock music noted that “the lower, close to 60hz base was a struggle with these” until they added a sub. Another user found the sound “tinny” and disappointing, though this appears to be a distinct outlier in a sea of praise and could be related to source material, placement, or a defective unit. Overall, the user community validates our assessment: these are fantastic speakers with one understandable limitation that is easily solved by their own best feature.
How Does the Edifier R1850DB Compare to the Alternatives?
While the R1850DB is a strong contender, the market has other excellent options depending on your specific needs and budget. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable competitors.
1. Edifier S1000W WiFi Active Bookshelf Speakers
- WORKS WITH ALEXA, SUPPORTS AIRPLAY 2, SPOTIFY CONNECT – Connect speakers to your home Wi-Fi network, control them with voice commands via third-party voice interaction, and stream Hi-Res audio from...
- HI-RES AUDIO TECHNOLOGY - Experience the best sound quality with an audio signal sample rate of up to 24bit/192kHz. Hi-Res quality tunes listening at home.
- ENJOY MULTI-ROOM MUSIC - Group two or more speakers together to play music in multiple rooms, create stereo sound, or fill your entire home with music (app support required).
The Edifier S1000W represents a significant step up in both features and price. It’s aimed at the user who wants higher power (120W RMS) and more modern, wireless streaming capabilities. The biggest differentiator is the inclusion of Wi-Fi connectivity, supporting AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect, along with Alexa integration. This makes it a true smart speaker system for those embedded in a streaming ecosystem. The audio quality is also a notch above, with larger titanium dome tweeters and 5.5-inch mid-bass drivers delivering deeper bass response out of the box. You should choose the S1000W over the R1850DB if your budget is higher and seamless, high-fidelity wireless streaming is a top priority.
2. Edifier R2000DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers
- BLUETOOTH CONNECTION - Pair your phone, tablet or computer for a true hassle free wireless experience, perfect for any iOS, Android, MacOS or Windows device.
- OPTICAL INPUT - Enjoy lossless digital connection from your TV, TV Box, DVD/blu-ray player, receiver, HTPC, computer or gaming consoles.
- 2 X LINE-IN INPUT - Convenient connection to any device that has a 3.5mm headphone output or dual RCA output. Connect to two devices via Line-in at the same time, no plugging and switching needed.
The Edifier R2000DB is a closer competitor and can be seen as the R1850DB’s bigger brother. It also boasts 120W of total power and features larger 5-inch woofers, which provide a more robust low-end presence without needing a subwoofer. It shares the optical input and Bluetooth connectivity but notably lacks the dedicated subwoofer-out jack of the R1850DB. The aesthetic is also different, with a high-gloss piano black finish that may appeal to a different taste. The R2000DB is the better choice for someone who wants more powerful, fuller sound in a 2.0 configuration from the start and doesn’t plan on adding an external subwoofer.
3. Micca COVO-S Bookshelf Speakers
- IMPORTANT NOTE - The COVO-S is a passive bookshelf speaker that requires an amplifier or home theater receiver to work. It cannot be connected directly to a turntable, smartphone, or computer. Speaker...
- COMPACT SPEAKER, GREAT SOUND - At only 5.1-inch tall and 4.2-inch wide, The Micca COVO-S speaker delivers great sound despite its diminutive size, giving listeners an immersive experience with its...
- VERSATILE PLACEMENT - Its slim shape and classic design easily fit in a wide variety of room decor as bookshelf speakers, center channel speakers, or use with optional wall mount brackets as surround...
The Micca COVO-S is an entirely different class of product and highlights the key advantage of the Edifier R1850DB. The COVO-S are passive speakers, meaning they have no built-in amplifier and require a separate AV receiver or stereo amplifier to function. This makes them part of a more traditional, component-based Hi-Fi system. They are incredibly affordable, but the total cost of the system will be much higher once you factor in an amplifier. These are for the hobbyist or budding audiophile on a tight budget who wants to build a separates system over time and enjoys the process of matching components. They are not for someone seeking the simple, all-in-one, plug-and-play solution that makes the R1850DB so appealing.
Our Final Verdict: The Undisputed Champion of Versatility and Value
After weeks of rigorous testing, the conclusion is clear: the Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers are an outstanding product that offers immense value for the money. They masterfully bridge the gap between basic desktop audio and complex, expensive Hi-Fi systems. The sound signature is clear, detailed, and engaging right out of the box, making them a transformative upgrade for music, gaming, and movies. Their extensive connectivity options ensure they can handle nearly any source you throw at them, from a modern gaming PC to a vintage turntable.
But the true masterstroke is the inclusion of the subwoofer line-out. This single feature provides an invaluable and easy upgrade path, allowing the system to grow with your tastes and budget, transforming from a capable 2.0 setup into a genuinely powerful 2.1 powerhouse. While the bass may be a touch polite for some without that addition, and the remote is merely functional, these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a near-perfect package for its intended audience. We can wholeheartedly recommend the Edifier R1850DB to anyone looking for a high-performance, versatile, and accessible audio hub.
If you’ve decided the Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers is the right fit for your setup, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API