Edifier D32

The $199.99 Edifier D32 is somewhat difficult to categorize: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support make it a versatile wireless speaker for streaming audio, an internal battery means it's portable, and an array of wired connections provide everything you need for high-quality playback from local sources. It also pumps out weighty, room-filling sound and looks quite sleek. It's an excellent choice for listening to pristine audio and our Editors’ Choice winner in this price range. If you need extra power, the higher-end JBL Authentics 300 has similar connectivity options, built-in voice assistants, and deeper sub-bass, though it costs much more at $449.99.

Design and Features: Retro Style With Excellent Connectivity

The Edifier D32 looks stunning. With a braided grille, accordion buttons, and a wood veneer, it resembles a vintage radio. It's available in Black Walnut or White. I tested the former version and am a fan of both the somewhat moody, dark color scheme and the various metal accents. It's worth putting this speaker somewhere that people will see it.

(Credit: Mark Knapp)

The speaker is reasonably compact at roughly 6.4 by 9.8 by 7.0 inches (HWD) and 6.7 pounds. The JBL Authentics 300 is quite a bit larger at 7.7 by 13.5 by 7.1 inches and 10.8 pounds, but equally worthy of display with a retro style of its own.

The D32 squeezes in a pair of 1-inch, 15W tweeters and a single 4-inch, 30W driver for bass. They combine to cover a frequency range of 52Hz to 40kHz. You get more power with the Authentics 300, which delivers up to 100W.

Although the front grille hides the drivers, two reflex ports on the back are visible. This is also where the wired connections reside, including a 3.5mm aux input, a USB-C audio input, and an AC power jack. The speaker supports high-res wired playback, and you can operate it plugged into power if you don't want to rely on the internal battery. Edifier includes USB-C-to-USB-C and 3.5mm audio cables, as well as a power cord.

(Credit: Mark Knapp)

The onboard buttons provide convenient control and have an especially satisfying click. From left to right, the panel has buttons for power, Bluetooth, play/pause, plus, and minus. The button functions depend on what mode is active, so make sure to consult the documentation. An LED above the power button shows various colors and patterns to indicate active operations and modes.

Despite its old-school looks, the Edifier D32 has some high-tech connectivity features. It's compatible with Bluetooth 5.3, works with the Apple-friendly AAC, high-res LDAC, and SBC codecs, and offers multipoint connectivity with up to two devices. For comparison, the JBL Authentics 300 has just the basic SBC codec.

The D32 also has a dual-band Wi-Fi radio with Apple AirPlay2 support, which means you can set it up as part of a multi-room audio system. It shares this feature with the $299 Apple HomePod, while the JBL Authentics supports AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music (MRM), Chromecast, and Spotify Connect. Wi-Fi is a plus for streaming audio since it generally allows for higher-quality transmission than a Bluetooth connection.

(Credit: Mark Knapp)

The Edifier D32 lacks a built-in voice assistant. If that's important to you, the Authentics 300 (Alexa and Google Assistant), HomePod (Siri), or $449 Sonos Move 2 (Alexa and Sonos Voice) smart speakers are all better choices. The Edifier is also not waterproof like the IP56-rated Move 2.

Edifier says the internal battery provides roughly 11 hours of playback per charge. For comparison, the JBL Authentics 300 offers a slightly less impressive 8 hours of runtime, while the Move 2 gets up to 24 hours. The HomePod requires power via an outlet.

App Experience: Easy to Use

Like the Edifier QR65, the D32 works with the Edifier ConneX app (available for Android and iOS). It doesn't provide many customization options but does give you control over most aspects with just a few taps. You don't need to create an account to use it.

(Credit: Edifier)

The biggest draw of the app is the Sound Effects section. It provides a handful of audio presets and access to a custom EQ with six bands between 200Hz and 12kHz. Otherwise, you can enable the LDAC codec and multipoint connectivity (called Dual-device connection here), though not simultaneously.

(Credit: Edifier)

You can also select the speaker’s input source via the app. If you’ve selected something other than Bluetooth on the speaker itself, you might not be able to maintain a Bluetooth connection. Finally, the app is required for setting up AirPlay.

Sound Quality: Loud and Clear

The Edifier D32 does a lot given its compact size. It gets quite loud, for instance, even on battery power. It fills a 200-square-foot room with more than enough sound to frustrate neighbors and is suitable for even larger outdoor spaces. I didn't notice any distortion at maximum volume, though you lose a bit of nuance at this playback level.

Even when it comes to lower frequencies, the D32 handles audio with aplomb. On The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” for example, the speaker easily reproduces the trio of bass notes that drive the track and pumps out the lower kick drum notes that keep time. Meanwhile, it accurately presents the higher synth melodies and sneaks in some of the more subtle mix elements. The speaker manages a slight sense of stereo separation, but it’s difficult to pick up even if you are sitting very close. A more traditional, two-piece setup like the Edifier QR65 or $229 Audioengine A1-MR makes more sense if you want a true sense of stereo sound.

(Credit: Mark Knapp)

Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty.” highlights the D32’s focus on the mids. Vocals come through clearly and have a dominant presence in the mix. The drums have a modest impact but never sound booming. The sub-bass notes in the progression at the 34-second mark are mostly inaudible, though some higher notes come through. Even bass adjustments via the EQ can't dig these notes out. The JBL Authentics 300 reproduces the sub-bass here far more effectively.

Bill Callahan’s “Drover” fits more neatly into the D32's capabilities. His baritone vocals are rich and full throughout, while the many fills from the violin and cymbals benefit from a crisp treble response. Again, the lack of stereo separation detracts from some of the song's dynamism.

Verdict: A Stylish Speaker With Many Listening Options

The Edifier D32 is a compelling speaker for $199.99. It produces loud, crisp audio, is reasonably portable, and offers both high-quality Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming options. Overall, it's a flexible choice for at-home listening and stylish enough that you won't want to hide it from view. Considering its cost, features, and sound quality, it earns our Editors' Choice award for wireless speakers. If you want serious low-end power and the convenience of a voice assistant in an equally stylish package, we also recommend the JBL Authentics 300, but it costs more than twice as much.