The Edifier M90 speakers stand out as a commendably versatile and value-packed audio solution, particularly within the desktop speaker segment. Offering a rich array of connectivity options and a surprisingly articulate sound profile for its price, these speakers present a compelling choice for consumers. While excelling in clarity across treble and midrange frequencies, the M90's bass output proves to be its primary limitation. Despite this, its compact design and broad utility for various settings—from personal computing to home entertainment—make it a noteworthy option for audio enthusiasts seeking quality without a premium cost.
Edifier has consistently delivered strong contenders in the active and powered speaker market, and the M90 is no exception, aligning with the brand's reputation for accessibility and performance. Priced at £299, it undercuts competitors like the Cambridge Audio and Ruark Audio offerings while still providing a robust feature set. The M90's design philosophy embraces adaptability, allowing it to seamlessly integrate into diverse environments, whether perched on a desk, tucked onto a bookshelf, or connected to a television. This "Swiss Army knife" approach to speaker utility is a key selling point, enhancing its appeal to a wide user base.
A notable aspect of the M90 is its comprehensive connectivity, addressing modern audio demands with both wireless and wired options. It incorporates Bluetooth 6.0 with support for LDAC, enabling higher-quality audio streaming, though it conspicuously lacks AAC support, which might affect the experience for iOS users. On the wired front, the inclusion of HDMI eARC is a significant advantage, particularly for TV connectivity, differentiating it from some rivals. Users will need to adjust their TV's audio settings to PCM output due to the absence of Dolby Audio decoding. Additionally, digital optical, USB-C, and AUX inputs ensure compatibility with a broad range of devices. The speakers are powered by a 100W Class D amplifier, requiring only a single power source for both the active and passive units, which are interconnected by a generous 5-meter cable for flexible placement.
Further enhancing user control, the Edifier M90 integrates with the ConneX app, providing a suite of customization options. Through the app, users can fine-tune settings such as speaker channel assignment, input source selection, and equalization modes (Classic, Monitor, Dynamic, Custom). The app also facilitates LDAC sampling rate adjustments, enables Bluetooth multi-point connectivity (though LDAC is disabled in this mode), allows for subwoofer output level configuration, and manages firmware updates. This level of granular control empowers users to tailor the speaker's performance to their specific preferences and environment.
In terms of sound reproduction, the Edifier M90 offers a clear and somewhat warm sonic signature, delivering an insightful listening experience for its price point. High frequencies are rendered with clarity, sharpness, and detail, avoiding harshness, while the midrange excels in conveying vocals with remarkable transparency. The stereo imaging provides a convincing sense of width and depth, creating a spacious soundstage that belies the speakers' compact dimensions. This detailed and transparent sound profile, particularly in the highs and mids, demonstrates a maturity often found in more expensive systems. However, the bass response is where the M90 shows its limitations, lacking the energy, depth, and power that some users might desire. While it prioritizes punch over profound depth, the low end can sound hollow and feeble on certain tracks, suggesting a need for more robust amplification in this range.
Connecting the Edifier M90 to a television, such as a Sony A80L, automatically switches it to HDMI mode. Initial impressions during TV viewing might reveal a small and tinny sound with muffled dialogue, necessitating an increase in volume to achieve a more impactful audio experience. Despite these initial observations, the speakers generally deliver clear and detailed audio for TV and films, emphasizing sharpness and brightness in their tonal balance. Over time, dialogue clarity tends to improve, suggesting that certain streaming sources or initial adjustments might contribute to varying experiences. The wide soundstage remains a consistent strength, effectively matching on-screen action and dialogue. While a more powerful bass output would undoubtedly elevate the M90's performance to compete with higher-tier models like the Ruark MR1 Mk3, its current midrange and treble excellence, combined with its versatility, make it a worthy consideration within its category.
The Edifier M90 is a commendable offering from Edifier, achieving a strong balance of features, sound quality, and affordability. Its articulate midrange and treble performance, coupled with a wide array of connectivity options including HDMI eARC, position it as a highly versatile choice for various audio needs. While the bass response could be more robust, and the absence of AAC support is a minor oversight, these aspects do not significantly detract from the overall value. For its price, the M90 provides a surprisingly mature and engaging listening experience, making it a compelling option for anyone seeking a multi-functional speaker that delivers quality audio across different platforms.
