Edifier R1700BT Review – Low Price with Great Features

Studio monitors provide your working environment with clean and crisp sound. But unless you have a dedicated music studio they tend to not be the greatest option for other listening experiences. In this review, we check out the Edifier R1700BT bookshelf monitors, a functional set of speakers that can tackle a range of tasks.

The Edifier R1700BT is an impressive set of speakers with some clever features. Trying to capture the attention of a large audience has resulted in a jack-of-all-trades option making them some of the best value studio monitors.

Features

The Edifier R1700BT has an impressive set of features. Let’s dive into the details to see what this well-priced set of speakers has to offer.

Sound Quality

The most important gauge of quality is always how good does it sound. I’ll always take an ugly speaker that sounds great over an over-designed set of speakers that sound horrible. Thankfully the Edifier R1700BT managed to strike an excellent balance between the two.

The sound profile is rich and detailed and offers no distortion even at higher volume levels. The low-end is substantial though it is a little on the boomy side. Moving more towards a Hi-Fi response as opposed to a clean studio monitor sound.

Defined and balanced mids with enough warmth to offer a pleasing listening experience. Mid tones are often one of the most defining sound characteristics that influence enjoyment. These speakers deliver on this front.

Likewise, the high frequencies are clean and crisp. No harshness in the top end means you won’t experience the ear fatigue that often comes with tinny high frequencies.

The sound is impressive for a set of speakers at this price point. There is also plenty of volume and power to fill a small area and it is also a reasonable option for medium-sized spaces.

Build Quality

The build quality is what I would expect at this price point. Capable but not high-end. The units feel solid and offer a good amount of heft to keep them in place.

The MDF construction of the cabinet is standard and it includes a vinyl walnut woodgrain wrap. Upon closer inspection, I could foresee that this vinyl wrap may be subject to wear and tear and eventually start to peel. If you live or work in a humid environment this may become a problem sooner rather than later.

But this is speculation and based on previous experience with vinyl coatings. Potentially Edifier has figured out how to maintain the quality. Either way, it is worth mentioning.

The Edifier R1700BT has an attractive vinyl walnut woodgrain coating.

The included remote is useful with basic features but is also on the flimsy side. It also suffers from the bubbling effect of the coating near the buttons after repeated use. It’s fine but not as refined and polished as more expensive options.

Despite these few small issues the units do project an appearance of quality that for the most part is accurate.

Specifications

The Edifier R1700BT offers a 4-inch bass driver with a forward-facing bass port. This results in satisfying low-end delivery. The 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter does an excellent job of handling higher frequencies.

The Edifier R1700BT offers an excellent frequency range.

The frequency response is also impressive at 60Hz – 20kHz. This gives it the capacity to deliver rich low tones and defined highs with just enough headroom to give the sound some space to breathe.

At 85dBA the Edifier R1700BT is quite loud. More than enough for most applications. Even when watching TV the sound projection can reach across the room. I don’t encourage running speakers at max capacity for long periods. But, even at max volume, there isn’t any significant distortion. 

If you do have a large space it would be worth investing in larger monitors or a subwoofer to handle the low end. 

Tuning Options

Often cheaper monitors don’t offer much in the way of tuning options. Thankfully the R1700DB opts to give users some level of control over the output.

Bass and Treble control knobs on the right-hand speaker cover this task. These are conveniently recessed into the cabinet to provide a clean outward appearance.

Volume, Bass and Trebel controls are easy to access compared to other speakers.

When these functions are on the front of the speaker it tends to disrupt the design aesthetic. The other option is for them to reside at the back. But, this can lead to awkward and uncomfortable actions to make adjustments. The location of these tuning options is an excellent balance between convenience and design. 

The tuning options are also effective. They are especially helpful when you consider the purpose behind these speakers. Aimed for studio use, multimedia projects, or even as speakers for your TV. Having access to these features helps to refine the sound for the intended output.

Design

The Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth bookshelf speakers are attractive. The combination of walnut wrap and matte black tones match each other well. They are not bland and boring and would comfortably find a home among a modern entertainment setup.

The Edifier R1700BT is an attractive and stylish set of bookshelf speakers.

In a studio setting, they do add some extra flair and detail. In a world filled with black electronics, they may stick out. Depending on your preference this may be a good or bad thing.

The angled front face helps direct the sound which also eliminates the need for monitor stands. The fabric panels are easily removable if you prefer your speakers to have exposed drivers. These panels also help diffuse the sound and can offer a little bit of protection for the drivers.

Dimensions

With 4-inch woofers, the R1700BT bookshelf speakers manage to maintain a reasonable footprint. But, they are rather deep so not the best option for narrow shelves.

Inputs

Another appealing feature of the Edifier R1700BT studio monitors is the range of connection options. While the big selling point is Bluetooth you’ll also have access to more choices.

Two sets of RCA inputs allow you to connect two devices at once. Using the remote or the volume dial at the back you can switch between sources quickly and easily. 2 sets of RCA cables are also included in the box. Another excellent addition is a ⅛” (3.5mm) to RCA cable. This opens up your connection options even further. You’ll be able to connect all sorts of devices like smartphones or media players.

The Edifier R1700BT allows you to have two sources connected at once.

The Bluetooth connectivity is solid and reliable. Once again the volume knob serves a double purpose as a Bluetooth pairing reset. Unfortunately, you can’t store multiple connections and switch between them. You’ll have to manually pair devices each time you want to switch.

Despite that one oversight the R1700DB gives you plenty of flexibility to use these speakers for your specific needs.

Value

When you consider the range of features the R1700BT offers the value proposition is very good. Affordably priced they excel in versatility. One set of speakers that can be the focal point of both your workspace and entertainment needs. When coupled with the very reasonable build quality and included extras you get plenty of bang for your buck. 

What Others Have To Say

The Edifier R1700DB bookshelf speakers are a popular option. This is due to the impressive sound and versatile connection options.

The Power Of Flexibility

When you are establishing your home studio there can be a few challenges. Finding room for all your components is one challenge. The other is having the capacity to have all the components you need. This where acquiring flexible gear can help.

Studio monitors serve a very specific purpose. Near-field speakers that deliver a neutral response for accurate mixing and mastering. But, not everyone can devote all their time to pursuing a musical career. Additionally, many people may want to express some creativity but have no desire to pursue it as a career.

A good set of flexible speakers can handle a variety of tasks. From gaming to home entertainment.

A flexible set of speakers can help bridge the gap between two extremes. If you pick up a solid pair of speakers that are versatile you’ll save money. You’ll also enjoy the benefits of owning the equivalent of many pieces of gear.

Consider all the ways you may want to use your speakers. Music listening, multimedia editing, TV speakers, and music production to name a few. It’s not easy to find speakers that handle all these tasks. Luckily there are some options out there that aim to do just that. These options may not be the top-of-the-line choice for dedicated professionals. But they are an affordable and practical solution for beginners and hobbyists.

With the increasing demands on both our time and space, these speaker choices are now an option worth seriously considering.

Other Options

There are plenty of appealing studio monitors available if you are on a budget. Here are some alternatives to the Edifier R1700DB.

Alesis Elevate 5 MKII Review

If you prefer a more dedicated set of studio monitors the Alesis Elevate 5 MKII should be on your list of options. Affordable and compact they deliver good sound while maintaining a low price point.

• Good neutrality in the sound profile for monitors this cheap.
• Ultra affordable choice for the budget-conscious producer.
• Not the best performance at higher volume levels.

Bose Companion 2 Series III Review

Another excellent option is the Bose Companion 2 Series III. This slender set of speakers is perfect for tight spaces and features punchy sound.

• Powerful and loud sound in a compact package.
• Features a front-facing headphone port and a rear AUX port.
• Lacks Bluetooth connectivity.

JBL One Series 104 Review

If space is at a premium the JBL One Series 104 is a compact alternative worth exploring. It also offers a balanced audio connection option beyond the standard RCA.

• Impressively clean audio without muddy tones or tinny highs.
• Ultra-compact size that is perfect for smaller desks.
• Excellent at higher volumes but not as precise at lower volumes.

Should You Buy?

The Edifier R1700DB is an attractive and enticing option if you are looking for a versatile set of speakers. The defined sound is capable and pleasant.

From listening to music to editing multimedia it performs exceptionally well. Once you factor in the price point it becomes even harder to fault these speakers. A powerhouse option for beginners and hobbyists that offers excellent flexibility. If you need a flexible set of bookshelf speakers these should be high on your list of options.