Summary
For whatever reason, most Bluetooth speakers are overly plain or utilitarian-looking. That’s not the case with theEdifier D32, which is fit for the set of “Mad Men” with its retro design. This Bluetooth speaker also boasts AirPlay and aux-in to make it really compelling.
Edifier D32
The Edifier D32 is a retro-style and fashionable desktop combo speaker. Its hand-made wooden speaker case, braided speaker grille, and accordion keyboard make up its visual design.
Price and Availability
The Edifier D32 speaker is available for purchase at Amazon and the Edifier web store. It retails for $199.99 but regularly goes on sale for $160 or less. The speaker comes in three colors: brown, white, and black walnut.
The D32 mimics Edifier’s smaller retro speaker, the MP230. The smaller version retails for $99.99 and comes in similar color options.
You’ll Notice the Design, But the Specs Speak Volumes
The stand-out feature of the Edifier D32 is its design. The speaker’s retro styling with a wooden case is eye-catching and instantly attractive. I could do with fewer placements of the company’s name and emblem, but still, it’s stunning.
The speaker looks attractive, but it also features a functional, built-in handle. For better or worse, the D32 is made to be portable—something you might not expect at first glance.
Ultimately, the portably doesn’t distract from everything that makes it good, but I’m torn on whether the speaker really needs its handle or its internal (5,200mAh) 11-hour battery. I wouldn’t, and didn’t, take the speaker outside. I moved it around my house for testing, but mostly I left it in one spot.
Since it needs a proper AC wall plug to power and recharge it, it’s just not easy to move quickly, even though there’s nothing prohibitive about its 6.7-pound weight. It worked great on battery, but after a few days, I would worry about forgetting to charge it and having it die when I needed it.
The buttons are the other functional design element. They enhance the aesthetic of the speaker and provide real ease of use. For instance, pressing the power button while the speaker is on will cycle through the different connection types (Bluetooth, AirPlay, USB-C, and aux) with a color indicator.
The Sound Doesn’t Let Down the Design
It’s easy to gush about the visual aspect of the D32, but the audio quality doesn’t disappoint either. The speaker features dual one-inch 15W tweeters and a four-inch 30W mid-low driver. The enclosure is also a ported design so there are holes on the back to let air out, giving the sound a more breathy feel.
The D32 does not have the same kind of thump asJBL’s Authentics 300 speaker, but it’s also not as expensive. The D32 probably doesn’t even have the same low-end capability as Apple’sHomePod, but again, I didn’t feel like Edifier’s efforts were ever lacking.
I was never disappointed by the sound quality of the songs I liked across music genres. Whether it was rock, pop, or folk, varied genres all sounded full and robust. Turning the volume up near the 75% level resulted in a loud but clean tone that could easily fill my living room.
I also found the D32 compelling as a speaker for my computing, connecting it with a single USB-C cable. While I don’t think I’d recommend this listening option as the primary reason to buy the speaker, I really like that it can be used on a work desk too.
The Few Caveats to Know About
As mentioned previously, I found it disappointing not being able to charge the D32 from its USB-C port. But that wasn’t all.
While you don’t have to be directly tethered to the speaker via Bluetooth to use it, you will need to connect to it using Bluetooth if you want to use the Edifier mobile app to change any settings. That means you can’t be listening to music using AirPlay or an aux cable and cycle through the EQ settings at the same time. You’ll need to select the Bluetooth connection, change any settings, and then switch back to the other connection type.
The range of EQ settings in the mobile app, available on iPhone and Android, is limited. And there aren’t that many settings to alter in the mobile app anyway. I found myself leaving all the defaults in place.
Should You Buy the Edifier D32?
If you have no ecosystem you’re adding a speaker to, and starting fresh, theEdifier D32is a versatile and excellent first home speaker. Since it works with Bluetooth, AirPlay, USB-C, and an old-fashioned 3.5mm jack, you can move it around and use it for various audio tasks. For its size, the speaker has a full sound with enough bass to make songs pop. It won’t rattle any windows, but the overall sound is balanced and clear.
The D32 is a solid value for its full retail price, considering all of its connection types. But more so, it’s going to be hard to avoid it if it’s caught your eye and you like how it looks.
