Edifier Prisma e3350BT 2.1 Bluetooth Audio System

As Bluetooth wireless audio streaming continues to increase its presence in portable speaker docks and headphones, it's now finding its way into less likely areas, such as speaker systems intended for computers. The Edifier Prisma e3350BT 2.1 Bluetooth Audio System, at $129.99 (direct) , is reasonably priced for a quality 2.1 PC speaker system?add in the Bluetooth streaming capabilities and it's a potential steal. However, while its overall sonic performance is balanced, with a subtle bass presence, a rattling subwoofer frame and some other odd design choices make that price seem more in line with its overall capabilities.

Design
The sleek 2.1 Prisma speaker system comes in white, silver, or, like our model, black, with the two matte plastic satellite speaker frames measuring 9.2 by 1.8 by 4.7 inches. On the front panels, cloth speaker grilles hide a 2.75-inch mid-range driver and a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter on each speaker. The 30-watt subwoofer features a 5-inch, downward-firing driver. It features the same matte black plastic and vaguely-triangular theme, measuring 7.83 by 9.76 by 11.57 inches, with an under-lit Power button that mimics the status lighting of the under-lit Volume knob on the wired remote.

The sub is the heart of the system with the wired controller, the two satellite speakers, the power supply, and an optional wired 3.5mm input all connected to its rear panel. Unfortunately, all these cables can be a bit cumbersome, and some, like the cable that connects to both satellites, seem a bit short if you wish to keep the sub on the floor and out of sight. Having the power button on the floor-sitting subwoofer is also a bit annoying.

The connected controller has a large metallic Volume dial, but no Power button or track navigation buttons. The Bass level control is hidden on the back of the sub?it's not adjustable from the remote itself. Despite having basically no purpose other than adjusting the volume, the control manages to redeem itself with the inclusion of an extra 3.5mm aux input and a headphone jack. It seems, however, that all of these things could easily have been placed on one of the satellite speakers without making the design hideous, thus eliminating the need for the wired controller altogether and making the entire system a bit more manageable. Edifier, however visually alluring its products may be, is no stranger to odd design choices?the recently reviewed Edifier Spinnaker ?has an annoying cable connection port that makes set up a little frustrating.

The Prisma is armed with Bluetooth version 2.1+EDR, and supports the A2DP codec. Pairing with a Bluetooth sound source is a quick and simple process, and like most Bluetooth systems, the range of the speakers is roughly 30 feet.

Performance
At top volumes, the Prisma 2.1 system has some trouble handling tracks with really deep bass, like the Knife's "Silent Shout." The issue, however, is not really about distortion?the signal sounds mostly clean. The problem is the actual vibrations from the deep bass, which make the subwoofer's frame rattle and sound as?if?it were distorting heavily. This seems to only occur at top volumes, however, and only on tracks with serious low end (The Edifier Spinnaker also suffers from this issue.) At reasonable volumes, the Prisma conveys most tracks with a subtle low-end presence. It is neither over-the-top nor anemic, even when the bass level is maxed out on the sub.

This balanced approach benefits most musical genres. On classical tracks like John Adams' "The Chairman Dances," the speakers let the mid and high frequencies shine, with an emphasis on clarity. The sub's presence is subtle, even at maximum bass level, lending a bit of depth to the brass, large percussion, and lower register strings. The system's overall focus is skewed towards the mid and high range instruments, allowing for nice clarity and texture in the higher strings and wooden percussion hits.

Bill Callahan's vocals on his latest record,?Apocalypse, are delivered with a smooth low-end presence, paired with a crisp edge in the high-mids, while the kick drum has a nice, punchy presence. This has as much to do with the subwoofer's low-end boost as it does the satellites' pleasing mid-range clarity, resulting in a lively bass drum pedal attack followed by a pleasantly rounded-out resonance.

This same mid range clarity creates a ferocious sound when applied to the attack of the thumping beat on Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild," which also benefits from the sub's presence, but again, in a subtle way. This is more of a flat response system that many 2.1 speaker systems tend to be?and it is certainly not a system for bass fiends.

For $130, the Prisma delivers a clean sound at moderate volumes, with just enough low-end to please. Its Bluetooth streaming is solid, and it's hard to discern much of a difference between the wireless stream and a wired signal from the same sound source, though sometimes the wired signal seems to provide a little more deep bass presence.The annoying design choices and rattling sub may keep the Prisma from greatness, but it's still a solid choice in this price range.

If you're not hooked on a wireless system, the $170 Harman Kardon SoundSticks III, an Editors' Choice, is another visually pleasing 2.1-channel speaker system that offers a bit more thump from the subwoofer and similar clarity in the high frequencies. If Bluetooth is your main priority, but you'd prefer a docking system that can charge your iPod or iPhone, as well, the JBL OnBeat Xtreme ?is another Editors' Choice, but it is significantly more expensive. Finally, if all of these suggestions are out of your range and you're looking for a more affordable PC speaker system, the Energy Power EM-2.1 ?is not wireless, but it's about as affordable as speakers get while maintaining any sense of musical quality.

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