Edifier S355DB Review: Powerful 2.1 system with wireless subwoofer

Edifier S355DB in test: 150 watts of power, Hi-Res sound, Bluetooth 6.0 and HDMI eARC for under 400 euros? Plus a wireless subwoofer with wireless connection. The new 2.1 active speaker system from Edifier is a real challenge for anyone for whom a 2.0 speaker system like the excellent Edifier M90 (our test) is not enough. I have tested the S355DB extensively, on the PC, on the TV and as a music system. Here are my experiences.

Technical data of the Edifier S355DB

The product	S355DB
Speaker type	2.1 active speaker
Audio inputs	HDMI eARC, Optical, USB-C, AUX, Bluetooth
Bluetooth version	6.0
Bluetooth codecs	LDAC, SBC
Total power (RMS)	150 W (treble: 2x 15 W, mid-range: 2x 25 W, subwoofer: 70 W)
Driver	8″ long-throw subwoofer, 3.5″ long-throw aluminum cone mid-bass drivers, 1.5″ titanium dome tweeters with neodymium magnets
Frequency range	200 Hz – 40 kHz (Satellite speakers) 44 Hz – 120 Hz (subwoofer)
Signal-to-noise ratio	≥ 90dB(A) (Satellite speakers) ≥ 100dB(A) (subwoofer)
Special features	Hi-Res Audio, LDAC (Hi-Res Audio Wireless), Multipoint, HDMI eARC
Size	134mm × 226mm × 163mm (Active satellite speaker) 126mm × 226mm × 158mm (Passive satellite speaker) 267mm × 295mm × 317mm (Subwoofer)
Weight	13.93 kg
Colors	Black, Walnut
Price	€ 369.00 *

Edifier S355DB test: Classic, timeless design

The Edifier S355DB optically follows the classic line of the manufacturer: dark fronts, side wood look in black or walnut decor, visible drivers without fabric covering and slightly rounded edges. The design is suitable for the living room and much more grown-up than typical PC speakers. No RGB, no aggressive lines, nothing that would impose itself on a living room or home office. Anyone familiar with other Edifier products, such as the predecessor in the form of the S350DB or the S360DB series, will immediately feel at home.

The workmanship is good. The MDF cabinets are neatly laminated, the satellites look compact enough for the desk without looking like a makeshift solution. With its dimensions of 267 × 295 × 317 mm, the subwoofer is clearly a floor unit. It wants to be under the desk or next to the TV cabinet, not on top of it. And thanks to its 5.8 GHz wireless connection, it can do just that. The total weight of almost 14 kg makes this clear when setting it up.

The drivers on the satellites are visible and neatly finished: the 1.5-inch titanium dome at the top behind a finely perforated protective cover, and the 3.5-inch long-throw midrange driver with a dark aluminum cone and metal dust protection dome below. This is not a token two-way design, but a solid foundation. The bass reflex ports of the satellites are located at the rear. This means that some distance from the wall is acoustically mandatory. If you push the satellites right up against the wall, you’re giving away bass quality.

The controls are located on the side of the active satellite in a vertically recessed control recess with three rotary controls for level, bass and treble. This is easy to reach in the near field, but is of secondary importance for TV operation at a greater distance, where the remote control takes over. One slight point of criticism: the connecting cable between the active and passive satellite uses a proprietary multi-pin connection. This means reverse polarity protection and a clean connection, but limited flexibility when replacing or extending the cable.

Bluetooth 6.0, HDMI eARC and more: modern features

The connection section of the active satellite is the actual control center of the system and this is where the S355DB clearly shines compared to older or cheaper 2.1 systems. On the back you will find: HDMI eARC, optical Toslink input, coaxial digital input, USB-C, line-in via two RCA sockets and Bluetooth 6.0. There is also the connection for the passive satellite and the power switch.

HDMI eARC is particularly relevant, as we already know from the M90. The connection not only enables lossless PCM stereo transmission from the TV, but also activates HDMI CEC – i.e. volume control, muting and switching on/off directly via the TV remote control. Once you’ve set this up, you’ll never want to be without it again. Older optical connections, on the other hand, fall down badly: no CEC, no shared volume.

USB-C as an input is particularly valuable on a PC because it allows you to completely bypass the interference-prone analog mainboard output. A digital connection is a much cleaner choice, especially for boards with weak shielding or coil beeping. Optical connections also work, as long as a suitable source is available.

Bluetooth 6.0 with LDAC supports high-resolution wireless audio at up to 990 kbit/s from compatible Android devices. Bluetooth Multipoint allows you to keep two devices connected at the same time – useful when switching between smartphone and laptop. Important to know: When multipoint connection is active, the system deactivates LDAC because the Bluetooth bandwidth is not sufficient for both at the same time.

Internally, the S355DB works with continuous 24-bit/96 kHz DSP signal processing, an active crossover and a tri-amping architecture. Each driver path (tweeter, midrange, subwoofer) therefore has its own power amplifier. The satellites are Hi-Res Audio certified and the system as a whole is Hi-Res Audio Wireless.

The scope of delivery includes a 5-meter speaker cable, an optical cable, a 3.5 mm to RCA cable, a USB-C cable, remote control and power cable. Only an HDMI cable is missing. A small omission for a system with eARC, but it can be ordered at a reasonable price.

Simple operation of the S355DB

The Edifier S355DB is pleasantly uncomplicated in everyday use. The rotary controls on the active satellites allow direct access to volume, bass and treble – without an app, without detours. The supplied remote control is slim, black and functional. It offers source change, volume, mute and sound profiles – it is indispensable for TV operation from a distance.

If you use HDMI eARC, you can also use the TV remote control for volume and muting. This works via HDMI CEC and makes the S355DB much more convenient in the TV setup than systems with a purely optical input.

The Edifier ConneX app for iOS and Android adds input source switching, playback control, sound profiles and system settings. If you want, you can create your own EQ profiles and customize sound modes. The app is functional, but not a revelation.

It is particularly useful if you want to switch between the many inputs conveniently without having to work your way through the buttons. It does not offer room correction or measurement functions. Four preset sound profiles can be called up directly using the remote control. Practical when switching between enjoying music in the evening and gaming. The app makes the same function accessible with a better overview.

Powerful sound with the Edifier S355DB

When you first switch them on, the Edifier S355DB quickly make it clear that they are not intended to be an analytical studio tool. The sound system plays big, powerful and suitable for everyday use. With the aim of making music, games and movie sound fun. It achieves this very well for a complete system in this price range.

The satellites are surprisingly mature for their size. The mids are not hollow or thin, but present and clearly defined. Voices are stable between the speakers, guitars have body and acoustic instruments don’t sound like plastic tins with wooden stickers. The 1.5-inch titanium domes deliver a clear, present treble without drifting into shrillness or over-sharpening the peaks. This is a pleasant tuning: clear, but not glassy.

However, the real character of the Edifier S355DB comes to the fore with the subwoofer. The 8-inch driver provides significantly more substance than the usual satellite side cubes of many PC sets. Bass lines are given weight, low frequencies are not just hinted at, but can be physically felt. This is a real benefit for electronics, hip-hop, film effects and modern productions. At the same time, the bass control delivers precise and balanced results up to medium settings; if you turn up the Swag… or Bass… up, you get a lot of oomph. But then at the expense of precision.

On a positive note, Edifier has carefully balanced the satellites and subwoofer. At a moderate bass level and a sensible subwoofer placement, the transition between the units is pleasantly homogeneous. If the subwoofer is positioned unfavorably in a corner, the bass line quickly becomes wider than controlled. For music, this means that voice reproduction in series, podcasts and songs works convincingly. Voices are clearly separated from the rest, S-sounds remain predominantly within limits and the treble doesn’t tire during longer listening sessions.

The system is particularly impressive on the PC: the stereo width of two physically separate satellites cannot really be replaced by a soundbar. Gaming benefits from effect pressure and clear left/right localization. The same applies to TV audio. HDMI eARC and the resulting possible integration into the TV system make the Edifier S355DB a serious soundbar competitor that offers clear advantages for music and true stereo width. What is missing is a dedicated center channel for dialogs in offset seating positions and virtual surround effects such as Dolby Atmos. This remains the domain of the soundbar.

Edifier S355DB test: Conclusion

The Edifier S355DB is a convincing and modern 2.1 system that retains the strengths of its predecessor and has made significant improvements in terms of features. The wireless subwoofer solves a real everyday problem, HDMI eARC makes TV integration as convenient as with a soundbar, USB-C and LDAC are welcome. In terms of sound, the S355DB delivers what you would expect from a good 2.1 complete system: width, pressure and dynamics that clearly surpass typical PC speakers and many soundbars in this price range.

The tuning is geared towards fun and suitability for everyday use, not analytical sobriety. If you know how to use the bass control and the positioning, you will get a very entertaining, rich sound. Anyone expecting a studio monitor or the ultimate hi-fi claim should look elsewhere.
For the price, the Edifier S355DB is a strong argument for anyone who wants a real stereo base, a serious subwoofer and modern connections in one system. Without an AV receiver, without cable chaos, without a separate power amplifier.