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We tested the Edifier e255 speakers in a rectangular room approximately 6.5 meters by 5 meters, using a variety of music, films and games over a two day period.
The system includes Dolby Pro Logic II which uses hidden audio cues that already exist in stereo content to create realistic surround sound with five full-range channels: Left, Right, Center, Left Surround, and Right Surround. You won’t get a full dome of audio from this kind of faux-surround, but it will give you a 360 degree experience on most content.
The design incorporates an optical output, so that’s what we used for testing. It also offers Dolby and DTS decoding, but there is no mention of a DSP in the manual. Unlike the e25HD speakers we reviewed earlier, there is also no mention of dynamic range compression (DRC).
For direct audio comparison, we used a Wavemaster Moody kit, which retails for less than £100 and – like most 2.1 speaker sets – is a simple, cost effective way to add extra volume to your living room TV experience. We also made direct comparisons with the Edifier e25HD speakers reviewed in November.
Music
These tracks were chosen to push the speakers in different ways across the full spectrum of audio demands. We have included links to the videos for your reference, but were using Apple etc as the source for testing.
Yaeji – Drink I’m Sippin’ On
The deep, pulsing base of this song contrasts strongly with the elegant female vocal. While the Moody 2.1 did it justice, the reproduction on the e25HDs was much more articulate, but quieter. Edifier’s e255 setup punches out ample bass, with only a slight degradation of the vocal. That does take something away from the track but, nevertheless, it was still impressive.
Gary Moore – Out in the fields
Pray tell me the tale of the e255, its tweeters dark, its intentions HiFi. It’s fair to say the Irish rock experience was enhanced through these speakers. Alongside significant raw volume, the e255 also kept the various frequencies clean and distinct.
EDX Festival Remix – Human
Even if you’re not a fan of modern electronic music or Christina Perri, you can still appreciate the testing nature of this remix. When this track reached the drop at around 1 minute 40 seconds, it felt positively dangerous. The room was suddenly full of club-level vibrations, while maintaining audio clarity. In term of the range of frequencies that the speakers are being asked to deliver, this song is as messy as any cinema battle scene, but the e255s delivered.
The Alicia Keys Empire State of Mind
Our experience of this song was disappointing with the Luna Eclipse e25HD speakers, but the piano/vocal combination did well on the Wavemasters. It was brought to life on the e255s. You have to say that Edifier’s engineers have crafted a set of speakers that are versatile.
Massive Attack’s Teardrop
As the tremors vibrated the walls and floor, we felt obliged to drop the volume on this track. The e255s have more than enough delivery for sweeter, softer tracks like this.
Film
With a price tag around £600, the Edifier e255 speakers are prices as something of a luxury home cinema experience. Indeed, the ‘tin’ says that the e255s will allow you to, “Experience the best in home movie experience”. Confident talk, but does it deliver?
Star trek: Into Darkness was the first test and we immediately felt a top-heavy frontal assault. The might of the subwoofer and central unit are undeniable, however the imbalance was clear. During the intense action scenes, some dialogue started to became lost against the background noise.
Mindhunter is a drama series set in the late 1970s as FBI behavioural scientists begin to understand the complex emotions that drive serial killers. There are plenty of scenes that rely on the audio component to build tension. The e25HD units we reviewed before offered a clean sound without muscle. However, the e255 with its awesome subwoofer managed to back up Edifier’s crystal clear separation with a good dose of spine-tingling rumble.
Gaming
The increase in volume – alongside the serious subwoofer – meant that all of the titles we tested were that much more immersive. You can get seriously loud in first person shooters.
