Edifier R980T review
Edifier R980T: Basic Bookshelf Speakers with Bass Driver
The Edifier R980T is a pair of powered speakers that can become a nice addition for your computer, record player, or work as a replacement for your TV's or laptop's weak built-in speakers. Actually, they are among the most affordable bookshelf speakers that Edifier is able to offer. Yet, this model can provide you with basic features and quality sound within an affordable price range.
Dimensions
The Edifier R980T dimensions are 5.5 inches in height, 7.5 inches in depth, and 9 inches in height (per speaker). The speakers' footprint is small, so they won't take much space. The unit is lightweight: one speaker weighs just about 4 pounds (7.78 pounds for a pair).
Features
Being the inexpensive 2-way bookshelf speakers, the R980T provides a good set of features. They have 24W of total power output (12W RMS), providing an adequate amount of power as for their size.
The remote control isn't included, so the possibilities for sound tuning are limited to the bass control knob. Nevertheless, the out-of-the-box sound won't disappoint you if you appreciate the details. The speakers' test for this Edifier R980T review has shown that the stereo speakers provide a full and rich audio reproduction. Of course, they are not able to give out a natural, audiophile-grade sound, which is fair as the speakers' design doesn't imply this
The speaker features a silk dome tweeter and one 4-inch woofer. There is also a bass reflex port that boosts the bass to create an effect of using a separate subwoofer. This port is located on the front, so you can place the units as close to the wall as you want for saving more space. They are also magnetically shielded, which is quite a rare feature as of now and appears to be a pleasant surprise considering the price.
Since we are talking about the active speakers, the Edifier R980T setup is a matter of seconds, as it offers a plug-n-play system. The built-in amp is powerful enough, so you shouldn't connect any additional amplification source to the speakers. The manufacturer's also added everything you'll need for a quick setup into the kit. This way, they're shipped with the RCA and 3.5mm cables together with a speaker wire.
Design
The item was designed to blend with any interior harmoniously. Thanks to all-black wooden corps, the speakers keep your stereo & home theater looking modern and sleek. The grille cloth can be easily removed. Each speaker features 4 rubber feet that stably fix it in place.
The rear of the item includes 2 auxiliary inputs, 3.5mm input for headphones, and a dual RCA output making it possible to connect the R980T to several sources. You can also control the volume and bass using the knobs located on the same panel as the ports.
Conclusion
The Edifier R980T 4" active bookshelf speakers can provide basic sound improvement or increase in volume for a minimal cost, but you shouldn't expect too much. It's not a feature-rich pair of speakers with a high-definition sounding. However, they have a competitive sound quality within their price range and offer good-quality bass thanks to a large 4-inch woofer. It's also easy to find a place for them as they are compact and front-ported. Besides, the R980T provides a quick and worry-free installation.