'Punch way above their weight': My new speakers are a masterclass in how to shuck off a 'budget' stereotype

the edifier s880db mkii speakers in white and wood colorway showing the connectivity options, remote control, against a blue background — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

I love reviewing the best speakers. I love everything about it. Listening to music and calling it work? Excellent. Playing with new audio gear? Phenomenal. Fastidiously analyzing every aspect of a speaker? Can't go wrong.

So when I reviewed the new Edifier S880DB MKII last week, I was practically bubbling with excitement. And rightfully so. As soon as I unboxed the S880DB MKII, I knew it was going to be a special day. The design is eye-catching, with premium-feeling conical woofers and a gorgeous cream-and-wood body. With a whole NFL team of connectivity options — RCA, 3.5mm, USB-C, optical, Bluetooth — and a pleasing price tag to boot, I couldn't wait to start testing the speakers.

Bass for days with the sub out

The Edifier S880DB MKII are new(ish). Released at the tail end of 2025, these bombastic bookshelf speakers have been enjoying a lot of buzz lately, and for good reason.

The MKII are a welcome upgrade from the original (creatively named S880DB) because of one major reason: the addition of a subwoofer out port. Yes, you can link up a compatible subwoofer to these mighty speakers to get even more bass.

Don't get me wrong, without a subwoofer the 3.5-inch woofers are remarkably powerful for their size. But you can always get a little more oomph, right? That's what the sub out is for.

I have the Edifier T5s — the brand's new subwoofer model — and boy oh boy, does it sound amazing with the S880DB MKII. My floorboards were trembling. I feared there was an almighty giant lumbering up my staircase to the beat of Michael Jackson's "Thriller".

Alas, 'twas no giant. It was merely the T5s and the S880DB MKII doing what they do best — making me want to get up and groove.

Even if you don't have a subwoofer, you'll be happy with the bass. It's meatier than that of the entry-level Edifier R1280T, the Majority D40X, the Majority D80, and the JBL 104BT. While I've yet to test hi-fi speakers like KEF, Dali, and Kanto, so I can't compare sound quality directly, I know those premium brands all offer subwoofer outs, too.

Edifier's name might soon strike fear into the hearts of premium brands. It's clearly doing something right — premium sound at budget prices.

Budget no more, luxury from here on out

Usually, budget bookshelf speakers only really hit the "core" connectivity types. 3.5mm jack, of course. RCA, yes. 1"4, perhaps. Bluetooth, maybe? Optical? Doubt it. USB-C? Probably not. HDMI? When pigs fly. (The S880DB MKII don't have HDMI, by the way.)

The S880DB MKII, however, have 3.5mm, RCA, Bluetooth, optical, and USB-C. Although there's no HDMI, if you want to link up the S880DB MKII to your TV, you can use the optical cable.

This means you can use them for computer speakers, record players, TV speakers, and basically anything in between.

At just $449/£335, the S880DB MKII aren't "budget" speakers anymore. They're high-powered, high-performance, premium speakers. Sometimes, when budget brands try to make pricier stuff — EarFun, JLab come to mind — it just isn't worth it. The competition is much better for only a little more money.

The S880DB MKII, however, are not these speakers. I'm so sure when I say these are the best speakers I've ever used, and they've earned their rightful place on my desk setup.

My music has never sounded better, and it's all thanks to the S880DB MKII.

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Erin Bashford is a senior writer at Tom's Guide, focusing on reviews. She has a Masters in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from the University of East Anglia. As an ex-barista, she knows her way around a coffee machine, and as a music lover, she's constantly chipping away at her dream of having a multi-room home sound system. In her spare time you can find her reading, practising yoga, writing, or stressing over today’s NYT Games.

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