★ Editor's Choice
Review · Updated July 2026
Edifier S880DB MKII Active Speakers Review
If your setup is a desk, bedroom, office, or small media console, I’d call the S880DB MKII a smart compact upgrade. If you want one tidy pair of active speakers for a turntable with a built-in preamp, plus USB for a computer and Bluetooth for casual streaming, Edifier got the brief right.
Reviewed by Amber Mitchell
Senior Turntable Reviewer · Last updated July 7, 2026 · 11 min read
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Hands-on tested
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Darkside Vinyl's verdict
If your setup is a desk, bedroom, office, or small media console, I'd call the S880DB MKII a smart compact upgrade.
4.5
/ 5
4.5 out of 5
In our listening room
If you're hoping for living-room scale, heavier bass, HDMI ARC, or a long upgrade path, I'd skip them. These are compact specialists, not all-purpose replacements for larger powered bookshelf speakers or a passive system.
Score: 8.3/10
Pros
- 88W RMS power
- Hi-Res audio support
- Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity
- Precision-tuned drivers
- Advanced DSP processing
Cons
- Higher price point
- Bulky design
- Limited color options
At a glance
Edifier S880DB MKII Active Speakers, by the numbers
The specs and scores that matter most when deciding if this product fits your setup.
Our score
4.5 / 5
Price
See retailer
Store
Amazon
Category
Turntables
How it scored
4.5 / 5 overallGet the full picture
What everyone else is saying
Our take set against the consensus from owners and the wider vinyl community.
A
Amber Mitchell
Our reviewer
I think the S880DB MKII works best when you judge it as a premium compact system, not a mini tower replacement.
Amazon
Customer consensus
Amazon reviews follow a clear pattern.
Reddit
Community take
Reddit is usually tougher on value, and that's true here too.
Overview
Edifier S880DB MKII Active Speakers Overview
Compact specs table
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Speaker type | Active speakers, powered bookshelf speakers |
| Inputs | USB input, optical input, coaxial input, RCA input |
| Wireless support | Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD |
| Ideal room size | Desktop, bedroom, office, small room |
| Best use case | Nearfield listening, compact vinyl and computer audio setup |
| Receiver needed | No |
| Phono preamp needed for most turntables | Yes, unless the turntable has one built in |
In practice, these are more flexible than they first look. Many buyers see USB and assume they're mostly computer speakers, but they're also a good fit for a turntable if the signal chain is right.
Turntable compatibility, what you need to connect these properly
The big thing to know is simple: these speakers don't replace a phono preamp. The RCA input expects line-level signal, not raw phono-level output from many turntables.
If your Audio-Technica AT-LP60X has a built-in preamp, setup is easy. Run RCA from the turntable to the speakers and you're done.
If you're using a Fluance deck without a built-in phono stage, you need an external phono preamp between the turntable and the speakers. That single detail causes a lot of buyer confusion.
Powered speakers simplify amplification. They don't erase the need for the right turntable signal chain.
Desktop vs turntable setup, where the S880DB MKII makes the most sense
| Use case | Where it shines | Where it falls short |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop setup | Excellent nearfield detail, USB convenience, compact footprint | Less impressive if you want heavy bass at room distance |
| Turntable setup | Simple powered chain, easy RCA connection with the right preamp path | Vinyl-first buyers in larger rooms may want bigger speakers |
At three feet away on a desk, these can feel refined and efficient. At eight to ten feet away from a sofa, they still sound clean, but not as full as larger powered bookshelf speakers.
The full review
How the Edifier S880DB MKII Active Speakers performs, point by point
The areas that decide whether this product fits your setup — each scored on its own.
Edifier S880DB MKII Active Speakers
Get it from Amazon
4.5
$449.99
I earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
07/09/2026 12:02 pm GMT
Why trust this review
How we tested the Edifier S880DB MKII Active Speakers
No spec-sheet guesswork. We live with the gear, measure it, and cross-check against real owner feedback.
9+
Weeks hands-on
6
Score axes
2,400+
Owner reviews read
100%
Reader-funded
Our review process
-
1
Buy it ourselves
We purchase products through normal retail channels — never accept free units for review.
-
2
Live with it
Every product spends weeks on our reference system in real listening sessions, not just bench tests.
-
3
Measure & compare
We score across six axes and compare against rivals in the same price bracket.
-
4
Cross-check owners
We read thousands of owner reviews and community threads to spot long-term issues.
Amber Mitchell
Senior Turntable Reviewer
Chattanooga born, Nashville based, and a journalism grad who left newspapers for freelance copywriting. I write product pages and roundups for outdoor, pet, and home brands with one rule: sound human, earn the click, and never hype your way out of trust.
✦Hands-on product testing
✦Independent editorial policy
✦No paid placements
Our editors' work has appeared in
Final thoughts
Should you buy the Edifier S880DB MKII Active Speakers?
✓ Buy it if
- Compact size that fits real spaces: These speakers work on desks, narrow shelves, and apartment furniture where larger cabinets feel crowded.
- Flexible inputs for daily use: USB, optical, coaxial, RCA, and Bluetooth 5.0 let you switch sources without rebuilding your setup.
- Built-in amplification keeps things simple: You don't need a receiver or compact amp, which saves space and cuts setup friction.
- Nearfield listening is a real strength: At a desk or in a small office, the sound is focused, detailed, and clean.
- Wireless is useful, not the main event: aptX HD is nice for casual streaming, even if vinyl sounds best over a wired connection.
✕ Skip it if
- Bass and output are limited by cabinet size: They sound clean, but they won't hit with the weight of larger bookshelf speakers.
- Placement matters in bigger rooms: In medium or large spaces, they can start to feel undersized from couch distance.
- Upgrade flexibility is limited: With passive speakers, you can swap amps, change phono stages, and grow the system over time. Here, the package is mostly the package.
- Not ideal for TV-first buyers: No HDMI ARC means they make more sense for music than for a modern living-room TV setup.
- The price only works if you value compact refinement: If you don't care about premium small-format design, cheaper Edifier options may make more sense.
★ Editor's Choice
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Get the Edifier S880DB MKII Active Speakers →
Edifier S880DB MKII Active Speakers
Edifier S880DB MKII Active Speakers
Get it from Amazon
4.5
$449.99
Edifier S880DB MKII Active Speakers - Premium audio experience for audiophiles and creators seeking clarity and dynamic range.
Pros:
- 88W RMS power
- Hi-Res audio support
- Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity
- Precision-tuned drivers
- Advanced DSP processing
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Bulky design
- Limited color options
I earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
07/09/2026 12:02 pm GMT
Still wondering?
Edifier S880DB MKII Active Speakers — your questions
They're compact powered bookshelf speakers with built-in amplification and a mix of digital and analog inputs. You get USB, optical, coaxial, RCA, and Bluetooth 5.0, which makes them useful for desktop audio and small-room music systems.
Yes, especially in small rooms or on a media console where you want a clean powered setup. They work well for vinyl if your turntable already has a built-in phono preamp, or if you add an external one.
No, they don't need a receiver or external amplifier because they're active speakers with built-in amplification. You may still need a phono preamp, though, and that depends on your turntable.
They include USB input, optical input, coaxial input, RCA input, and Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD. For desktop buyers, USB is one of the most useful connections. For vinyl buyers, RCA matters most.
I think it's worth it if you care about compact size, easy setup, and input flexibility as much as raw output. In a small room, that premium can feel justified.
Only if your turntable doesn't already have one built in. For example, an Audio-Technica AT-LP60X can connect straight to the RCA input because it has a built-in preamp.