edifier Airpulse a80 feature
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Edifier Airpulse A80 Review

ByGordon Lyn

Edifier AirPulse desktop active speakers add another force! Following the Edifier Airpulse A200, A300, and A100, AirPulse is aimed at the market demand for micro-space listening, near-field monitoring, and desktop listening, launching a more compact Edifier Airpulse A80 desktop active speaker. The A80 provides rich and complete functions, extremely excellent performance and specifications, unpredictable artistry quality, and accurate and lively music.

A80 woofer

Technology and Design

AirPulse’s four active speakers were launched in order of A200 (5.5-inch bass), A300 (6.5-inch bass), A100 (5-inch bass), and A80 (4-inch bass). The medium size was first introduced, followed by a large scale, and then developed into small and mini. They all have the same technology and design, like the standard horn-loaded ribbon tweeter.

Ribbon tweeter itself has the advantages of high efficiency, high resolution, and high-frequency bandwidth. After the horn is added, the directivity of the ribbon treble can be optimized. Let the sound be transmitted to the listener more directly and reduce the interference of the reflected sound in the space.

A80 tweeter

Secondly, the horn also has the effect of modifying the treble, making the frequency response sound better, and making the sound extension smoother.

Completely customized aluminum alloy diaphragm mid-bass driver with muscular rigidity, lower distortion make the Edifier Airpulse A80 an excellent dynamic performance. The exclusive 16-core processor customized by XMOS has a unique parallel processing architecture, which can shorten the signal path, lower the time delay, and reduce the distortion.

The internal digital operation is adopted. The built-in Class D amplifier module has a carrier frequency of up to 768 kHz, making the sound smoother, softer, and more delicate. The unit is driven by an independent amplifier, which is equivalent to a bi-amp architecture, and the channel separation is better.

A80 structure

Edifier Airpulse A80 is different from A300, A200, A100. It is the magnetic field system of the mid-bass unit. Other models are underhung design, A80 uses overhung.

Underhung is a short voice coil and long magnetic field design. The voice coil will not exceed the magnetic field during the piston movement and is carefully controlled by the magnetic field. Therefore, the repeating stroke is more linear, the distortion is lower, and the accuracy of the sound is better. However, underhung has less sense of low frequency.

In contrast, overhung is an extended voice coil, which is a typical long-stroke design. When the voice coil is operating, both ends will exceed the magnetic field and become uncontrolled. Although the sense of low frequency is rich, the linear performance and distortion are also relatively weak. It can be seen from this that underhung or overhung may not necessarily be stronger or weaker but depends on the design.

The mid-bass unit of the Edifier Airpulse A80 is only 4.5 inches, lacking in low frequency. Therefore, the use of overhung is beneficial to the fullness and thickness of the sound. The A100, A200, and A300 mid-bass drivers are large enough, and the sense of low-frequency volume is relatively sufficient, so the use of underhung can make the sound more accurate and fresh. AirPulse series can flexibly use different designs to achieve the desired sound.

Besides, although the A80 mid-bass is only 4.5 inches, it uses the same 35 mm diameter voice coil as the A100. The advantage is that the heat dissipation is better, which can avoid the dynamic performance of the voice coil due to temperature increase under vigorous exercise. The low operating temperature of the voice coil also means that it will be more durable.

Input Interfaces

A80 is the same as A100, with two RCA stereo analog inputs, one USB input, one optical input, one Bluetooth input, and one subwoofer output on the back panel. Although there is no XLR balanced input and S/PDIF RCA digital input compared to the Edifier Airpulse A300, the existing interface is sufficient.

Edifier Airpulse a80 back panel interface

Besides, the A80 also comes with a custom-made remote control of good quality as usual. The remote control can control the on/off, adjust the volume, and switch the source. Many types of equipment that are several times more expensive than the A80 do not give such reasonable remote control.

Premium Performance in Desktop Listening

Edifier Airpulse A80’s figure is very suitable for placing on the table, and this is one of the purposes it was set initially. For convenience on the table. Two pieces of beveled sponge are included in the box of A80. Under the speaker, the speaker will naturally face diagonally upwards so that the tweeter is directly facing the listener. So there is no need to prepare mats.

edifier a80

The biggest problem with desktop listening is low frequency. We hope that the low frequency is enough and full, and we don’t want turbidity and roar. But often, the desktop environment is not easy to take into account. A80 has no such situation at all. Not only is the low frequency sufficient, but the downward extension is also quite natural. Listening is relaxed and comfortable, a rare high-quality performance that I have heard on desktop listening.

I think that those two humble sponges helped a lot. Because it blocks the vibration of the speaker to the desktop, it avoids the resonance of the desktop. Therefore, no vibration is transmitted back to the speaker so that the sound maintains the ideal cleanliness. Besides, the density and hardness of the sponge are also just right. Therefore, there is no low-frequency response or insufficient energy. It can be guessed that AirPulse carefully selects these two sponges.

The sound quality is fresh, bright, and soft. The A80 on the desktop provides a pleasant and comfortable listening experience. The excellent resolution has always been AirPulse’s natural strength, and the A80 is no exception. Listening on the desktop near field, you can accurately hear the details of each frequency band. High, medium, and low frequencies all show details. Make the soundtrack dense and full, like the picture. What’s even better is that A80 can make the sound with a touch of gorgeousness in clarity and realism, and the listening fun is more abundant.

Like Mariah Carey’s masterpiece “Hero,” the prelude will make my eyes bright. Because of the high-frequency blooms, the strings of the piano and backing are full of moisture and luster, and the sense of listening is exceptionally comfortable.

Edifier Airpulse A80

  • Net Weight:9.3 Kg(20lbs)
  • Mid-Woofer:4.5inch Aluminium ferrite magnet
  • Gross Weight:9.3Kg (20lbs)
  • Cabinet Size (WxHxD):140x250x220mm
  • Tweeter:Horn Loaded Ribbon Tweeter
  • Signal-Noise Ratio:L/R:≥90dB(A)
  • Input Mode:AUX, PC, USB, Optical, Bluetooth.
  • Amplifier System:Digtal Amplifer With Xmos Processor
  • Sample Rate Input Sensitivity:AUX: 450± 50mV | PC: 550±50mV | USB: 400±50mFFs | Optical: 400±50mFFs | Bluetooth: 450±50mFFs
  • Power Output:100W RMS (40w x 2+10W x 2)
  • Packing Size(HxWxD):160 x 283 x 255 mm
  • Mains Voltage:100-240 V AC/50-60 Hz
  • Frequency Range:52Hz-40KHz
  • Color:Walnut