Review of the Edifier B700 soundbar and wireless subwoofer set

Many home movie watchers face the same problem: they want amazing sound, but are limited in their ability to install a full-fledged system of five or more speakers. Soundbars, as a solution, are compact and easy-to-install devices. Despite decades of promises from developers about “immersive surround sound,” no sound bar has yet been able to completely replace the classic home theater.

The price range and sound quality of soundbars vary enormously. For example, the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar offers amazing sound quality and volume that will amaze you with its performance. But its cost is close to the price of a full-fledged multi-channel system. While a model, for example, Sven SB-2200D, has a more affordable price and provides a noticeable improvement in the sound of movie audio tracks compared to conventional TVs. However, it only simulates 3D sound and not always successfully, with compromised sound quality, which is expected for its price category.

Luckily, there are soundbars in the mid-price segment that offer the best value for money. Edifier B700 is one such option. With seven speakers for surround sound, an included subwoofer, a variety of connectivity options, and support for various audio formats including Dolby Atmos, this soundbar promises to solve the problem of delivering quality sound when watching video content, and also has the potential for listening to music.

Edifier always pays special attention to the packaging of their products: their devices, including this one, usually come in double cardboard packaging. The outer box protects the product during shipping and contains basic device information such as the product name and brief information about the product.

The inner packaging is made more attractive: it contains illustrations and product characteristics. Soundbar and subwoofer sets are often packaged in an «L» shape due to the significant difference in size between the units. However, Edifier decided not to skimp on cardboard, but filled the free space with special inserts. This ensures reliable packaging, and you can be sure of the safety of the devices during transportation.

The delivery package is extremely extensive — it includes everything you need to get started:

• Soundbar and wireless subwoofer
• Remote control
• Power cables (2 pcs.)
• Power adapter for soundbar
• HDMI cable
• Mini jack cable 3.5 mm — RCA
• Wall mount
• “Hooks” for placing the soundbar on a wall mount
• Screws (5 pcs.)
• Dowels (5 pcs.)
• Instructions (translation into Russian is available)

The wall mount of the device is very convenient and the kit contains all the necessary elements for installation. It's designed to extend the soundbar beyond the TV, which is critical for the height-mounted surround speakers to function properly.

We will talk about the remote control in detail below, but for now we will say that it runs on one AAA battery, which comes with it.

The power supply is large, technical specifications can be seen in the photo below. The cable length is 1.5 meters, plus the power cable adds the same amount — you can “reach” even a socket located relatively far away.

The cables are made at a good level of quality, look nice and do not make you doubt their reliability. The length of optical and HDMI is 1.5 meters each. The cable for analog connection is a little longer — 1.7 meters.

The offered kit is available in only one color, described by the manufacturer as «metallic grey». This design looks very discreet and minimalistic, which allows the Edifier B700 to fit organically into the interior and not attract undue attention.

Most of the body is covered with a metal mesh that is resistant to dirt and stains from touch.

Hidden behind the grille are as many as 7 speakers, potentially capable of, together with a subwoofer, providing 5.1.2 sound. Two of them are directed upward, three forward, two more are located on the sides.

The manufacturer is especially proud of the design of the Racetrack surround sound speakers with a larger diaphragm, and specifically mentions them in marketing materials.

Also hidden behind the metal mesh is a small screen of five 16-segment indicators, which is clearly visible through it. The display brightness is adjustable, three levels of illumination are supported.

The screen is able to display all the necessary information — from the active connection type to the volume level. However, the display of the format of the played audio remains visible only for a short time after the change, which may not be very convenient. Unfortunately, there is no way to manually display this information on the display. However, the power indicator uses a small dot that glows constantly and, although it can be distracting at first, over time you stop paying attention to it.

There is a small control panel on the top surface of the case, where you can also find the manufacturer’s name and a reminder of Dolby Atmos support.

At the bottom there are small silicone feet that ensure stable placement of the soundbar on a horizontal surface. In the center there is a small sticker with brief technical information about the device.

At the back there is a connection panel, the contents of which we will analyze separately. On the sides of it you can see the screws that are used to secure the “ears” from the wall mount.

The oval speakers at the ends of the soundbar are also covered with a mesh framed with a matte plastic element.

The subwoofer is relatively compact — 250x372x300 mm. Its simple and clean design helps it fit easily into your interior, and its wireless connection makes it much easier to find a place in your room.

The subwoofer has a matte finish, dirt on it is not too noticeable and can be easily removed as needed.

On the rear wall there is a bass reflex bell and a panel containing connection and control elements.

The bass reflex hole with a diameter of 70 mm is carefully covered from the inside with a fabric mesh — nothing unnecessary will penetrate inside.

On the front wall there is a small manufacturer's logo — the only decorative element of the device's design.

The bass speaker is directed downwards, its diameter is 20 cm. The declared power of the subwoofer is an impressive 70 W — today we will definitely not be left without a pronounced low-frequency range, and we will definitely talk about its features.

Large teardrop-shaped legs are placed in the corners, raising the subwoofer above the floor surface and partially absorbing unwanted vibrations from the cabinet.

The back panel of the soundbar is easy to remove. There are two boards attached to it, on which there was a lot of interesting things. There are predictably no questions about the build quality — everything is done very carefully.

Directly in the center is the IT66322E chip manufactured by ITE Tech, which is responsible for receiving and further transmitting data via HDMI.

The Qualcomm QCC3031 is responsible for the Bluetooth connection, providing, among other things, support for the aptX codec. The ADC is Burr-Brown PCM1802.

The “brain” of the device is the STM32G0BJ microcontroller manufactured by STMicroelectronics. The bottom board houses a Texas Instruments TAS5822M D-class amplifier.

Let's also remove the back panel of the subwoofer. The inside is rather empty — only a small piece of damping material is glued to the rear part of the speaker. The design is extremely simple; only the bass reflex pipe is visible inside.

The “sound” part of the device is located on a separate board, which we will look at more closely.

The amplifier chosen is Burr-Brown TAS5754M. In the upper left corner of the board you can see the AT32F421 microcontroller manufactured by Artery Technology.

The third-party OEM wireless module is based on the ETK51 chip.

The necessary kit for installing the soundbar is included in the kit, which is very convenient. It can be placed on a shelf in front of the TV, but there is also an option for wall mounting using the provided mounting hardware. The placement of the subwoofer does not require direct proximity to the soundbar due to the wireless connection. However, it is important to note that due to the bass reflex port on the rear panel, it is not recommended to place the subwoofer too close to a wall, and also avoid placing the subwoofer in a corner to avoid excessive boomy and unclear bass. The wireless connection to the soundbar is automatically activated when turned on, but if this does not happen, you can start the synchronization process with the “Pair” button on both devices.

All audio source ports are located on the back of the soundbar, providing plenty of options for different devices and use cases. The main capabilities are provided by an HDMI connection, which is especially important for transmitting a Dolby Atmos signal. The HDMI Arc connector allows you to send video to your TV, as well as simultaneously transmit audio and control all devices via a common HDMI CEC remote control. The remaining HDMI ports are designed to connect media set-top boxes, players and other devices, providing transmission of signals with resolutions up to 4K, supporting HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. These features have been successfully tested and function correctly.

A simple and effective connection method involves using the HDMI OUT (Arc) port to connect to your TV, allowing you to send audio to the soundbar and video to your TV. The remaining HDMI ports are used to connect media set-top boxes or game consoles, providing full support for all declared audio formats, including PCM and Dolby Atmos. But the device does not support the DTS format, which, although not used in streaming platforms, still remains in demand. If your device does not support HDMI, you can use other available inputs as needed.

Edifier B700 interacts without problems with various devices, but there is one drawback. After about 15 minutes of inactivity, the soundbar automatically goes into standby mode and stops responding to attempts to turn on via HDMI CEC. This results in the need to turn on the soundbar using a button on the top panel or using the original remote control, which is not always convenient. It is not possible to disable automatic standby mode.

When using a Bluetooth connection, the soundbar automatically tries to connect with already “familiar” devices; if this fails, it goes into pairing mode. To connect, you need to find it in the Bluetooth menu on the smartphone you are using. A complete list of supported codecs and modes can be obtained using the Bluetooth Tweaker utility.

The maximum Bitpool value for the SBC codec is set to 53, which corresponds to the recommended High Quality profile of 51. This allows the codec to operate at its maximum performance. However, what is especially interesting is that the soundbar supports aptX codecs and its modification aptX HD. On a side note, there is no AAC support, which may be a slight disappointment for Apple device owners. However, Bluetooth is an additional option in this case. On the other hand, you can use the HDMI port to connect an AirPlay-enabled device, which opens up additional options for owners of Apple devices.

Controlling the soundbar from your TV remote via HDMI CEC is a more convenient way, but the soundbar also has its own remote. Some settings, such as adjusting display brightness or selecting a sound preset, may only be accessible through the soundbar's own remote. Thus, for certain functions and settings, it is recommended to use your own soundbar remote control.

For greater clarity, the illustration in the manual contains a detailed description of the functions of each button. Pressing the buttons requires slightly above average effort and is accompanied by a noticeable click, while the operation occurs accurately and correctly. Using the remote control is pleasant and convenient thanks to its good operation and convenient button organization.

On the top panel there are buttons that allow you to start Bluetooth, adjust the sound volume, select the active input and turn the power on/off. The last two actions are performed using the rightmost button: a short press to select an input and a long press to control power. The required force to press the buttons is slightly above average; their click is not always clearly perceptible. However, the panel is well protected from accidental presses, which reduces the likelihood of errors, and the likelihood of using these buttons on the panel is unlikely to be high.

The device is very convenient to use — all functions work stably, although we have already discussed some control points above. It should also be noted that there are short pauses in sound playback when changing the stream type, which is typical for most similar devices and lasts only a few seconds. Otherwise, it is clear that the developers have tried to make the Edifier B700 as convenient and versatile as possible — the controls are organized efficiently, there are many connection options, and the device supports all major audio formats, which makes it very versatile for use.

As mentioned earlier, sound bars are always a compromise. To ensure compactness and ease of use, we often sacrifice sound quality, which usually will be higher with 5.1 systems or stereo pairs for a similar price. In the case of Edifier B700, we get sound quality that is superior to devices with lower budgets, which is quite satisfactory for watching movies. However, soundbars are not always ideal for music, although they can be quite acceptable for playing certain playlists in the background.

Edifier B700 has two main sound profiles: for cinema and for music. The frequency response graphs show that the cinema profile has enhanced edges of the range, while the “music” profile provides a more uniform sound. Practice of use confirms that the “musical” profile is more universal. At the same time, changing the connection type has a slight effect on the sound, so the choice should be based on supported formats and ease of use for the selected scenario.

Regarding the sound as a whole, the subwoofer creates a significant amount of bass, which is heavily emphasized. The lower mids are particularly strong, but the midrange is fairly smooth with good detail, sufficient for vocals in music and dialogue in films. High frequencies are perceived well and are free of characteristic defects, which is an important quality in this case.

The Voice profile does exactly what you'd expect from its name — it brings the mids forward, emphasizing people's voices. And Game slightly emphasizes the high-frequency range — perhaps this is needed in games for some reason.

As noted earlier, the internal space of the subwoofer is practically empty, which leads to significant low-frequency resonances. This phenomenon is observed not only at the bass reflex tuning frequency, which is reflected in the graph of the cumulative attenuation spectrum (waterfall). However, this disadvantage can be eliminated by adding sound-absorbing material inside the subwoofer housing. This will reduce resonances in the low-frequency region and reduce unwanted peaks in the sound.

The Treble control allows you to effectively control the high-frequency range — in particular, you can slightly reduce the emphasis on high frequencies, which is done by default.

The Bass control mostly controls the volume of the subwoofer, without at all changing the features of its sound described above. At the same time, at low volumes the dip in the region of 100 Hz becomes more noticeable, the nature of which we will finally talk about.

By placing the subwoofer and soundbar at a distance from each other and re-measuring the frequency response, we see that the subwoofer reproduces frequencies up to about 100 Hz, while the soundbar begins to sound actively from 200 Hz. Thus, there is a problem of integrating the sound between them, which leads to a noticeable “dip” in the transition region. In this case, there is no cutoff frequency control, which makes it difficult to completely eliminate this problem. It's important to note that most soundbar + subwoofer sets, whether more affordable or more expensive, face similar problems. In such systems, sound tuning is often done with an emphasis on creating impressive bass, which can find its fans. However, it is worth remembering that such kits are primarily designed to create impressive sound in cinema.

However, despite this, the subwoofer in the Edifier B700 system is the most vulnerable component. In a previous review of its design, we mentioned that the manufacturer saved money on the use of damping material inside the case. This fact has repeatedly raised eyebrows when studying various devices, be they expensive products from well-known brands or lesser-known models. Using a small amount of damping material inside the cabinet has little effect on the cost of producing the speaker, but can have a significant positive impact on sound quality.

Let's talk about how this affects the sound. We usually test acoustics in the form in which they are offered by the manufacturer, since most users will not modify the device, and each modification requires taking into account many aspects. However, today we'll make a small exception to demonstrate that the «add padding» criticism of damping has merit. Thus, we remove the back panel of the subwoofer and proceed to lining the walls with padding polyester. We could start with smaller volumes of material, carefully monitoring the results. However, we decided to go further so that the demonstration of the resulting effect would be as clear as possible.

Changes in the frequency response graphs are immediately noticeable. Small changes in the mid and high frequencies may be due to measurement errors and possible microphone movement between measurements. However, in this case we are more interested in the low-frequency range. The huge peak that appeared around 60 Hz was softened, the bass became denser and got rid of most of the “buzz”. Despite the slight loss in the “deep bass” area, which is easy to accept at the expense of the quality of special effects, as well as music playback, the set began to cope better.

The emphasis on bass has become more manageable — you can increase the volume of the subwoofer without fear of getting unpleasantly booming low frequencies that interfere with the perception of the mids. As for the slightly “protruding” high frequencies, they can be reduced a little using the built-in equalizer — the Treble control works specifically in this area. Although we believe that the current sound of the high-frequency range sounds quite organic. However, this is definitely a matter of taste.

What could not be completely eliminated was the “failure” in the area of “stitching” the subwoofer and soundbar. This, unfortunately, remains unchanged. Unfortunately, the lack of cutoff frequency control also limits customization options. However, overall, we are pleased with the result. Although it is far from the ideal of “smooth monitor sound,” this set is excellent for reproducing sound in movies. Especially considering that we're testing a compact soundbar with a wireless subwoofer, and not a more advanced stereo pair.

And, of course, let’s compare two “waterfalls” — before and after modification. Yes, the body “buzzes” a little in the sub-bass area, there is a peak at the bass reflex tuning frequency — the picture is far from ideal. But still, positive changes are obvious.

When it comes to surround sound, things get quite complex and subjective. Of course, after listening to the Ambeo Soundbar, there was no “wow” effect from the sound of the tested model. This soundbar doesn’t even have a system for adapting to the room — it simply emits sound in different directions, hoping that something will work out. And in certain cases, this sometimes works, especially with pronounced sound effects: sounds flying around the viewer, gunfire or sounds coming from behind. At the same time, the stereo base remains wide, despite the relatively close placement of the speakers inside the housing.

Of course, no compact soundbar can match the impact of a decent 5.1 system, let alone a full-fledged Dolby Atmos system. But for a small device that can simply be placed on a stand under the TV, this is a pretty impressive result.

Edifier B700 does an excellent job of improving TV sound without unnecessary complications and connection problems. However, with additional settings its performance improves noticeably. It's a pity that manufacturers often ignore the need for additional adjustment of internal acoustics. This is a common problem not only for Edifier, but also for many other speaker manufacturers.

Some users install subwoofers to make loud sounds in movies sound more realistic and create a feeling of deep bass. In this case, the Edifier B700 subwoofer does an excellent job, and all our discussions about “boom”, bass enhancement and modifications lose their meaning.

The Edifier B700 demonstrates excellent versatility and ease of use: it supports major formats, has convenient operation, provides sufficient display and a complete package. Just pick it up, plug it in and enjoy. As for sound, there are no problems with the soundbar, but the subwoofer sounds unusual, aimed at fans of loud and expressive bass in films. However, this is more of a preference than a criticism, since such sound has its own audience. However, for enhancing TV sound with minimal effort, the Edifier B700 is a reliable companion. This is exactly what was expected of him.