Choosing speakers that can serve as great Chromebook speakers can be a tough task in a market filled with portable Bluetooth speakers and expensive home theater devices. However, Edifier has made a name for itself in this area, and its latest product, the QR65, walks the fine line between PC speakers and near-field monitors.
The pair also includes modern conveniences like 65W GaN charging for peripherals, so you’ll have fewer gadgets to plug into the wall. We’ve spent a few weeks with the QR65 and are happy to report that Edifier still lives up to its reputation as a powerful, affordable, and simple speaker.
Edifier QR65
The Edifier QR65 is a modern speaker designed for desktop use and close listening. It features clear, detailed sound with great imaging and a wide soundstage. These speakers also feature a powerful companion app and a built-in 65W charging circuit with three outputs for a cleaner desk setup.
- Incredibly detailed sound
- Built-in 65W GaN charger and dedicated external speaker output
- Highly accurate for wired and wireless use
- Includes holders for tabletop use.
- Exposed silk dome speakers are a chore to clean.
- The faux leather coating on the cover may not last.
- short cables
- The onboard speaker can only be adjusted via a companion app.
Price and availability
quality assurance
The Edifier QR65 is available on the official Edifier online store and Amazon US for $370, putting it in line with popular close-range speakers like the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II and Polk Audio Signature Elite ES15, Edifier’s direct competitors. The price you pay for either of these models isn’t cheap, but it’s at the budget end of high-resolution audio gear, not to be confused with the Hi-Res certification (wired and wireless) that the QR65 has. Edifier’s latest lineup commands its price with an attractive RGB LED infinity mirror design and modest I/O options.
The QR65 tends to come and go from stock, so if you find it available on Amazon, we suggest you take advantage of the deal.
What’s good about Edifier QR65?
Looks good and feels right
Right off the bat, the specs might suggest that the tweeter handling the mids and lows is disproportionately smaller than the silk-dome tweeter on each side. However, powering these speakers with the right input immediately proves that the large tweeters deliver tight, clear sound with strong directionality when aimed correctly—a crucial feature for immersive audio that is often lost on great Bluetooth speakers like the Sonos Move 2 with their traditional large tweeter pairs or full-range dynamic speakers.
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The speakers also deliver deep, echo-free bass with detailed but recessed midranges, so if you’re sitting directly in front of these speakers, you’ll enjoy movies and music. The QR65 also has an active crossover on board, which saves the speaker the task of driving the full range.
As a result, output and imaging are great, but instrument separation and clarity feel limited. The companion app lets you choose the default sampling rate or encoding, listening mode, and equalizer settings, which provides some relief. If the low-end power seems lackluster, you can connect a dedicated subwoofer. You can get room-filling sound, but the QR65s are best enjoyed by pointing them directly at your ears.
While you might be tempted to dismiss speakers with built-in LEDs outright because Edifier also makes models like the MS50A, which look like they mean business, the QR65’s infinity mirror design helps make it stand out as a conversation starter. Touch knobs on the right side of the main unit let you adjust the volume, toggle between input modes, and select RGB/brightness mode. Even when it’s off, the QR65’s dark chrome mirror front looks great.
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The built-in 65W fast charger is also a nice touch, especially for a computer speaker, with the output shared between two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. I also want to mention the thoughtful inclusion of a polishing cloth to clean the front and aluminum stands to direct the speakers toward your ears while minimizing sound discoloration from your tabletop.
What’s bad about Edifier QR65?
Material and cable choices are below expectations, literally.
While the QR65s sound great, they do have some drawbacks for the price. For anyone familiar with such powered headphones, the lack of bass and treble adjustment buttons on board can be a bummer, though you can use the accompanying Edifier app to adjust the response.
Most of my other concerns relate to the overall design. For example, the speakers look fancy with small Edifier branding and plaques all over them, and the faux leather wrap around the MDF shell may not last long.
The power LED also seems unnecessary on the infinite mirror speakers and doesn’t turn off even after a while. Speaking of LEDs, don’t expect full-spectrum RGB lighting as the infinite mirror’s reflections reduce the saturation of the lights. More importantly, I noticed that the audio response mode on these LEDs doesn’t work when playing audio through a browser window.
From a maintenance standpoint, the exposed silk dome speakers can be difficult to keep clean, especially if you have pets or a dusty environment. It’s worth noting that you may find that the included RCA cables are too short to fit monitors larger than about 65 inches. But otherwise, the QR65 speakers are a solid choice for near-field monitors and Chromebook speakers all in one.
Should you buy these headphones?
Ultimate upgrade to anything cheaper.
Edifier’s QR65 isn’t for the analytical listener or serious audiophile, but it certainly outperforms popular smart speakers and generic PC speakers. And if its excellent sound isn’t enough, its looks might help break up awkward silences at parties.
In any case, it’s hard to go wrong with the QR65s as a gateway into the world of Hi-Fi speakers with more convenience and better looks than similarly priced speakers, proving once again why Edifier is known for its great do-it-all gear on a budget.
Edifier QR65
The Edifier QR65 is a speakerphone and a conversation starter. However, it is designed for personal listening, and you’d be better off opting for larger models if you want speakers for parties and home theater setups.
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