INTRODUCTION

    Unlike most people I know the best way for me to relax is to listen to music as loud as possible and since I don't particularly enjoy using headsets high-output speakers are the obvious way to go. Again, however this is just me and so most people I know always look for more down to earth models (more affordable in general), preferably ones that stand out, something which is not very hard to find in today's market. There are however some models that stand out a lot more than others and one such model is the QD35 In-House Bluetooth Speaker by Edifier.

    Edifier specializes in premium sound systems that showcase technological innovation and design elegance, delivering outstanding audio experiences through a wide range of headphones, speakers, and music systems, for personal entertainment and professional excellence. Established in May 1996 in Beijing, Edifier is the brainchild of a small group of enterprising music lovers. Over the past 25 years, Edifier has been guided by the “passion for sound” principle, which helped the brand emerge as a world-class designer and manufacturer of award-winning sound systems. Today, Edifier serves audio lovers worldwide through its distributors in over 70 countries, with operations in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific regions.

    The Edifier QD35 is a compact tabletop monophonic speaker (available in black and white colours) that features a frequency response of 60Hz-40kHz, carries the Hi-Res and Hi-Res Wireless certifications and sports a total power output of 40W RMS (4 different EQs). Inside its plastic enclosure the QD35 houses a 3-inch/75mm mid-low/bass dynamic driver (long stroke, aluminum alloy diaphragm), 1-inch/25mm tweeter (silk dome diaphragm), MazeTube bass reflex channels with TurboMuff air noise suppression technology, TI closed loop digital amplifier, built-in DSP (up to 24bit/96kHz), TurboGaN (Gallium Nitride) USB charging (USB-C 35W / USB-A 18W, 18W much for each when used simultaneously) and numerous RGB LEDs (10 available effects). Just like with many of their recent models Edifier has equipped the QD35 with Bluetooth v5.3 connectivity (ConneX app) that comes ready with LDAC audio codec support (SBC supported by default) thus allowing for wireless audio at up to 990Kbps and as for available inputs at the rear of the main speaker we find a USB-A port (PC) and a 3.5mm aux port.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Edifier has used a box that has a large product picture, iF design award and the Hi-Res, LDAC and Bluetooth logos.

The product features are listed on the left side of the box.

At the rear of the box, we find both the features and specifications of the QD35 in 8 different languages.

In terms of packaging all is well with the speaker placed between to thick pieces of formed cardboard.

Along with the QD35 and its power cord inside the box Edifier has also placed a 3.5mm cable, USB cable, quick start guide, warranty information paper, stickers, cleaning cloth and a user manual.

THE QD35

The 2.64Kg heavy QD35 measures 277.8mm in length, 164.8mm in height and 141.7mm in width.

Edifier has painted their name on top of the QD35 and it does look nice.

The USB-C and USB-A charging ports are placed on the left side.

On the right side we find the on/off/input button and the volume up/down/play/pause/audio effects and lighting brightness/effects knobs/buttons.

At the front we find the 3-inch/75mm mid-low/bass dynamic driver, 1-inch/25mm tweeter and a plastic background designed as internal circuit (RGB LEDs are located behind that).

At the rear of the QD35 we find two bass reflex ports, on/off power switch, power port and the 3.5mm aux and USB outputs.

The QD35 is one of the best looking compact speakers around when its RGB LEDs are turned on (short clip is as always available both in YouTube and TikTok).

CONNEX APP

As always for complete control of the QD35 (and to enable LDAC) you will need to use the ConneX app.

Typically, the main tab of the ConneX app gives you access to the input sources, sound effects, light effects (you have 6 standard and 4 which you can swap - unfortunately can't use all simultaneously, you need to upload the one you want to use onto the QD35) and volume control.

What really matters is the settings tab however from where you can enable the LDAC (Hi-Res) audio codec (once you do that the Hi-Res logo lights up in the main tab).

From the settings you can also synchronize the clock at the front of the QD35 with the time of your smartphone and disconnect Bluetooth.

CONCLUSION

    There are five things I always focus on when testing speakers, volume levels, audio quality, looks/design, size and build quality (in that exact order). Well, after testing the QD35 for almost a full month I can say that it ticks 4 of the above boxes, volume levels are good (for the size), audio quality is better than expected (for a monophonic speaker – always using aux and LDAC), it certainly looks impressive and is quite compact. Again, you can’t expect miracles from a mono speaker but if you turn on LDAC via the ConneX app and you use a good music player like the M15/M23 by FiiO the result is very good. Volume levels are more or less ok, you can’t throw a party with the QD35, but it can easily fill a medium sized room, even at 90% volume. Looks is something everyone can see in this review from all the pictures and video, and I think that most if not all will agree that it excels at that. It’s also compact and as for build quality even though there’s too much plastic used for my taste, I have to admit that cost would skyrocket had Edifier used metal or wood for the enclosure (and for a monophonic speaker that would be too much). My sole regret about the QD35 is that it’s not a portable speaker meaning it doesn’t have a built-in battery pack which would allow you to take it with you anywhere you go. I don’t know why Edifier didn’t choose that route (perhaps they will release something similar later) but when I first saw the QD35 I really thought it would be a portable speaker (so yes, I was a bit disappointed).

    Currently the Edifier QD35 In-House Bluetooth Speaker retails for USD229.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 93.77Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) so it’s priced extremely well over here (in the USA, not so much so I do hope Edifier looks into that). Price aside the QD35 is a great little speaker, yes, it will not blow you away with its performance but if you know what you’re getting it will deliver and since I really enjoyed using it, it gets the Golden Award.

PROS

- Audio Quality (For A Monophonic Speaker)
- Volume Levels (For The Size)
- Looks / Design (RGB LEDs / 10 Effects)
- Compact Size
- HiRes Certified (LDAC)
- TurboGaN Charger (USBC 30W / USBA 18W)
- Price (EU)

CONS

- Price (USA)
- Monophonic (For Some)
- Not Portable (No Internal Battery)