Verdict
A very serious sounding wireless speaker , but one that is n’t quite as wise as it ’s being marketed as . Still , where profound quality is concerned , the Edifier MS50A bid an gratifying absolved performance with strong basso .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
When is a smart speaker not a bright speaker ? It ’s a brain-teaser that might have the World ’s Greatest Detective ( that ’s Batman to you and me ) , scratch his heavy chiselled mentum . If he were to investigate it , he might detect the resolution looked a destiny like the Edifier MS50A.
The Edifier MS50A is betray on the promise of being a wireless smart speaker with multi - room supporting and the power to stream from the likes of Spotify andTidaldirectly . All of that is technically true , but the Edifier is a speaker that comes with a few caveats .
The market is awash with impertinent speaker unit types , what pelt does Edifier have in this lucrative market ?
Design
The appearance of the MS50A is in - observe withEdifier ’s D12but much smaller . The front has a fabric open with a silver grey barroom that seems to be a stylistic flourish rather than anything that has function . The cabinet is made from Sir Henry Joseph Wood with a walnut tree finish and like the D12 the MS50A comes across as classy , simple and natural looking speaker .
The locker is sealed and other than a connection for magnate there are no other ports . There ’s no 3.5 mm jackstones , which is not unexpected , but there ’s no ethernet for a hardwired connection and that strike me as an odd skip .
The D12 was tailored for being placed on bigger pieces of room furniture , the MS50A is more accommodative though for what could be called a compact tuner speaker it is much gravid than either theSonos Oneor Denon Home 150 and heavier too at 2.26 kilo . It ’s quite imposing for what is a ‘ compact ’ speaker system .
On top is the world power button inside a pack of light ( white indicates Wi - Fi , blue for Bluetooth ) and around it are touch controls for playback ( pause , track skipping ) , volume and Bluetooth / Wi - Fi stage set - up . Trace a finger’s breadth tabulator - clockwise on the speckled circle and that lower the volume , while clockwise raises it . The ascendency are an visceral way of hold in the talker , the only issue I have is the slight delay in audio frequency respond to the press .
There ’s no remote control but give the focus on wireless connectivity , you ’ll be using a smartphone or other mobile gadget as a remote anyway . The MS50A also does n’t have much in the agency of feature to necessitate experience a remote anyway .
Features
The feature set is much thin than I ’d expected for what ’s identify as a overbold speaker . There is an app in the Edifier Home , but the features do n’t stretch out beyond set - up on a Wi - Fi association , enabling Amazon Alexa , creating a stereo pair and in - app playback controls .
Of course , there are microcode update and the ability to change the input , but if you were have a bun in the oven any layer of integration with music streaming services like there is with Denon HEOS , Sonos S2 and Audio Pro apps , then that ’s lacking here .
Even theAmazon Alexaintegration is something of a misnomer for a fresh speaker . The MS50A does not feature a built - in mike so there ’s no bread and butter for hired man - destitute vox control . Edifier says on their web site it ’s done for privacy cause , but it ’d make more sense if a microphone was include that could be disabled .
In truth , the MS50A is more of an accessory speaker than a impudent one that with its ‘ kit and caboodle with ’ Alexa certification . The idea is that if you want Alexa interpreter control and smarts , it needs to be connected to an Alexa speaker – anEcho back breaker 3rdGenor4thGenwould be the obvious contenders – ‘ speakers ’ where the audio public presentation could be improved . It does feel like a sweetener and switch leave that the speaker appear to betray itself as a impudent talker , a verbal description that make some obvious connotation .
Wireless connectivity extend to Spotify Connect , Bluetooth 5.0andAirPlay 2 , which cover the broad and pop options for music streaming . Tidal Connect is said to be let in with 24 - bit/192kHz lossless support but the speaker does n’t pop up in the tilt of supported devices when I try out to play music in the app . user with iOS devices can get past that with the AirPlay compatibility .
AirPlay , Alexa and Spotify present options for creating a multi - way system with other compatible talker , while if you buy two MS50A loudspeaker then they can be stereo couple via the app for create a desktop speaker organization . It ’s perhaps here where the want of port can be felt with no means to physically link up the speakers to another equipment .
Sound Quality
Put those issuance apart , however , and the Edifier MS50A can deliver a mantrap audio frequency performance . Used in the context of meliorate upon an Alexa overbold speaker and they ’re a much better listening experience .
The first thing that strikes me about its performance is its tonal balance . Bass , midrange and high frequence are all well managed , neither part of the frequency comes across as being too force or over - accentuate . The MS50A strikes a dainty , neutral and balanced approach , with near clarity and detail horizontal surface across the frequency range .
Bass is delivered with punch , free weight and purpose in go - to test tag GoGo Penguin ’s Raven that make for a deep - sound performance . There ’s free energy that underpin the bass performance , but it does n’t overplay its hand like theMarshall Uxbridgeis guilty of doing .
The other last of the frequency range is manage capably enough , the twofold pianoforte notes are relayed with clarity and good amount of keenness and shine to stand out . The runway is also good for hear the tonal fluctuation of the piano notes and the Edifier capture the difference between each note well .
Despite its size , or more its shape , the soundstage is n’t widely dispersed – everything happens within the breadth of the talker – but given its bigger than comparative wireless speakers from Sonos and Denon , space within tracks does n’t feel like it ’s a premium .
There ’s room for every instrument to stand out , with detail not obscured in Shabaka Hutching ’s Black Skin , Black Masks a track with a lot go on as clarinet , double bass and piano stream in and out of the piece . It also shows that the Edifier offer good rhythmical ability , the pacing of the song is constantly changing , the speed at which instruments play is fluid and the MS50A keeps up the pace without muddy the waters .
outspoken clarity is very good too , Lianne La Havas ’ voice in Bittersweet is presented with a liquid fictional character is as Alex Isley ’s in Love Again , brought to the forefront of the rail , magnanimous in sizing and hearable over the instruments and beat in both tracks . As a step - up over a cheaper Alexa speaker unit , the Edifier easily put in a winning carrying into action .
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Should you buy it?
- : For those with smaller Echo Dot devices then buy the Edifier make gumption as it does sport an improved sound .
If you already have an Alexa - up to smart loudspeaker system there ’s little reason to get the MS50A unless you want a fairly affordable verbalizer for multi - room purposes
Final Thoughts
To call this speaker a ‘ smart ’ verbaliser does n’t feel quite true , but that may depend on what you remember a impudent speaker should you be . If we ’re talking about a speaker that extend Wi - Fi connectivity and limited bright functionality , then yes , but if we ’re talking about voice dominance and desegregation with medicine streaming overhaul then the Edifier MS50A need assistance from an actual bright speaker to do so .
Nevertheless , it sounds very practiced for the damage , more nuanced and detailed than the similarly price Marshall Uxbridge . A purchase of this speaker only makes sense if you have an Alexa speaker , otherwise you may find that offerings from Sonos and Denon extend more note value and indeed smart .
Trusted Score
How we test
We test every wireless speaker we review thoroughly over an extended period of sentence . We use industry standard psychometric test to compare feature properly . We ’ll always tell you what we find oneself . We never , ever , go for money to review a product .
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FAQs
The MS50A does n’t have any built - in Alexa support because it does n’t have any integrated mike . For it to to support Alexa voice control it call for to be partnered with an Alexa - capable speaker unit .
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Sustainability
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As part of this delegation , whenever we review a product we get off the fellowship a series of questions to serve us judge and make transparent the wallop the machine has on the surround .
We currently have n’t received answers to the questions on this product , but will update this page the moment we do . you may see a elaborated breakdown of the questions we take and why in oursustainability information page
