The Budget-Friendly Edifier T5 Sub-Woofer Delivers Deep Bass Low in Cost as Well.
Have you ever thought about wishing your speakers had a bit more boom? It's a thought that's crossed my mind multiple times, especially after hearing someone else's high-quality setup and being captivated by the thunderous bass. Is there a way to increase bass without buying new speakers or using tone controls? Absolutely, and it won't cost you a fortune.
The Edifier T5 is one of the most reasonably priced subwoofers on the market, making it a perfect addition to boost the bass in your desktop speakers or studio monitors. It even has enough power to enhance a pair of floorstanding speakers that might not be as intense as you'd like. Due to its size and being a subwoofer, it can be easily concealed away, yet still deliver an impressive amount of rumble.
Edifier designed the T5 subwoofer specifically for their own excellent Q65 active speakers, which I reviewed earlier this year. The T5 offers deep and powerful bass, given its size. The bass frequencies are produced by an 8-inch long-throw woofer that reaches down to 38Hz. It's powered by a high-efficiency switching power supply and Texas Instruments closed-loop class-D amplifier. When cranked up, it can deliver up to 70W RMS output, enough for most living rooms.
The T5 has two input options, allowing you to connect it to various audio sources. It features a 3.5mm input, perfect for pairing with speakers like the Edifier Q65s. Additionally, it has two RCA plugs that can take a single interconnect from a dedicated subwoofer out on an amplifier. If your amplifier doesn't have a subwoofer out, simply connect its audio input to the subwoofer's Signal Out ports before connecting the subwoofer's Signal In ports to the audio source's output.
The T5's Texas Instruments high-performance analog front end and digital amplifier are responsible for handling the audio conversion and amplification. Its integrated DSP provides precise low-pass filtering and phase control, ensuring that the bass notes don't interfere with the main speakers.
The T5's cabinet is made from MDF and finished in silver and black with a removable grille. The cabinet is adequately braced to minimize resonance or any rattling distortion, resulting in tight, clear sound with plenty of low end coming out of the side-vented reflex port.
The T5 features a volume control, as well as a low-pass filter and phase control that can flip the phase by 180 degrees if necessary, preventing the subwoofer from clashing with the main speakers. Remember, with subwoofers, less is generally more, and it's easy to overdo it. One feature I appreciate about the T5 is its ability to enter standby mode after 30 minutes without audio. As soon as the music starts, it immediately switches back on and resumes pumping out that rich bass.
Verdict: If you've ever considered adding a subwoofer to your audio system, the Edifier T5 is a fantastic, affordable option. With subwoofers, a little goes a long way. Once you've experienced subwoofers with your TV's audio, you'll never go back. The excitement that bagfuls of bass can bring to a movie is addictive, providing a truly immersive home theater experience. The Edifier includes an internal power supply to keep things tidy and comes with all the necessary cables and interconnects. Why spend $500+ on a subwoofer? Give the Edifier T5 a try or use it to beef up your computer speakers.
Pricing & Availability: The Edifier T5 subwoofer is currently available and retails for $149.99 / £129.99 / €119.
Tech Specs:
- Driver: 8" (220mm) front-firing long-throw woofer.
- Frequency response: 38 – 160Hz.
- Total output: 70W RMS.
- Amplifier: Front end and closed-loop Class-D.
- Controls: Volume, low-pass filter, and phase control.
- Connections: Signal In input and Signal Out pass-through.
- Power supply: 100 – 240V 50/60Hz internal with auto standby.
- Cabinet: MDF with wood grain vinyl.
- Signal-to-Noise ratio: ≥ 85dB(A).
- Audio inputs: RCA.
- Input sensitivity: 50 ± 20mV.
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 278 x 300 x 336mm.
- Weight: 8.56kg.
The Edifier T5 subwoofer, with its affordable price, makes it an excellent choice for boosting the bass in various speaker setups, including desktop speakers or studio monitors. Its powerful 8-inch long-throw woofer delivers deep bass frequencies, making it a worthy addition to enhance the sound of even high-end floorstanding speakers.
If you're looking for a way to upgrade your audio system without breaking the bank, the Edifier T5 is a fantastic, budget-friendly option, offering subwoofer capabilities typically associated with more expensive models.
