The EDIFIER M90 are a compact active speaker system designed to handle Hi-Res and Hi-Res Wireless audio. With A bookshelf Speaker design and available in black and white, these 100W speakers offer a solid, full audio listening experience with a relatively small footprint. With a host of connection options, powerful 4” mid-bass drivers and 1” silk dome tweeters, the EDIFIER M90 offers some exceptional connectivity and audio solutions.
Built with the same design philosophy as most bookshelf speakers, the M90 offer a fairly sleek and clean aesthetic. As someone who tends to favour a white desktop setup when possible, the white M90 EDIFIER sent over for review looks absolutely gorgeous on my desk. The white casing, measuring 133(w)x212(h)x225(d) mm (the passive speaker has a 210mm depth), contrasts well with the exposed black mid-bass driver and silk-dome tweeter.
The only other aesthetic choice that complements the overall design quite well is the black EDIFIER logo on the bottom section of each speaker. A single LED, located in the lower-right corner of the right speaker, indicates the current mode and power state. It’s a simple but sleek design that looks as great beside a record player on a shelf as it does on a desk beside a gaming PC.
“Built with the same design philosophy as most bookshelf speakers, the M90 offer a fairly sleek and clean aesthetic.”
Examining the back of the speakers reveals a host of impressive connectivity solutions. Along with optical, AUX and USB-C inputs, the M90’s also come equipped with DHMI eARC. This allows for a TV or monitor connection if desired. A SUBWOOFER Out port means that the M90’s could easily become a stereo speaker system for your home audio/ coach gaming setup if desired.
Additionally, the M90 comes equipped with Bluetooth 6.0, which supports the LDAC codec. This enables full high-res audio streaming support, allowing the sweet sounds of Hi-Res Wireless audio to come through nice and clear. Thanks to Bluetooth support, the M90 also provide multipoint connection, which is managed via the EDIFIER ConneX app.
The ConneX app also provides a host of options and settings for the M90. Along with power, input and the aforementioned multipoint selections, the M90 come with a series of preset audio profiles as well as the option to create a custom EQ mix. Audio channels can even be swapped if needed for your desired setup, providing ample flexibility for the speaker placement within your setup.
Finally, an included remote control gives users full control over the user experience from input selection to volume and audio profile selection. When the M90S are connected via the HDMI port, the TV remote can control power, volume, and mute without the need for the M90 remote, further highlighting the flexible design of EDIFIER’s compact M90 speakers.
Audio testing of the M90 speakers was solid. The speakers with their out-of-the-box settings provide a full and well-rounded audio listening experience. Frequency tests from the supported 50Hz to 40kHz range were excellent, with no notable noise at any point. The bass feels tight and punchy while the mids and highs come in clean and clear. Vocals in particular are well highlighted without being too bright to listen to.
While there are multiple presets, I’ve found myself defaulting to the standard preset as it does provide a fairly full soundscape. I’ve done all primary testing using the optical input, though each input selection has provided an excellent audio experience. Bluetooth, in particular, with Hi-Res Audio enabled, sounds great, allowing me to stream music without powering on my PC.
“The EDIFIER M90 are a solid Compact Speaker system that looks and sounds great.”
The 100W Root Mean Square (RMS) output, which measures the sustained power an amp can maintain, offers exceptional volume while maintaining a consistent, clean audio profile. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the bass output of the M90’s, which has historically been a weak point in most Shelf speakers I’ve tested. This is made possible in large part by the built-in 24-bit/96kHz digital processor, which seamlessly manages both digital and analog inputs, converting signals as needed. The result is a truly solid audio reproduction of the source signal.
The other reason this level of audio production is possible in such a compact format is the aforementioned 4” long-throw aluminum-diaphragm mid-bass drivers and 1” silk-dome tweeters. The advantage of aluminum diaphragm drivers is their ability to dissipate heat more quickly, resulting in lower heat, which in turn allows more current to flow through the driver.
In this compact form factor, it’s a great choice, providing ample audio for the listener. The silk tweeters round out the audio profile thanks to their softer diaphragms, which produce warmer tones. Together, the speaker system provides a great overall listening experience.
The EDIFIER M90 are a solid Compact Speaker system that looks and sounds great. With a solid, full-sound audio profile, great connectivity, and Hi-Res audio support, there is a lot to like about the M90. While the $369.99 price point might make some hesitate, the robust feature set, sleek, compact design, and overall sound experience make it a worthwhile investment.
