Edifier MG300 Multimedia Speaker review: Elite RGB soundbar on a budget
In a hardware world where PC gamers or home office workers usually have to choose between a headset and their monitor’s less-than-optimal speakers for audio, a soundbar can be an ideal middle-ground for granting decent sound without needing to wear apparatus that shuts off everything else around you.
A USB-powered desktop soundbar of around 40cm wide when out of the box, the Edifier MG300 Multimedia Speaker aims to do just that by being capable of playing audio from your PC, mobile phone, or other devices via wired USB or Bluetooth 5.3 connection with a couple of gamer-esque touches.
GGRecon Verdict
Although missing out on some opportunities for added portability and longevity, the Edifier MG300 Multimedia Speaker excels in what it sets out to do: being a budget-friendly speaker that’s more than worth its price with beautiful RGB, a stylish-yet-compact design, and an outstanding sound quality for gaming and music on most compatible devices.
With mobile games facing the only big caveat, the MG300 is an excellent pick for delivering everyday audio from your home working or gaming desk set-up and looking good all the while. At an average price point of $69.99/£59.00 at the time of writing, what you get in return when buying the Edifier MG300 speaks volumes.
Presentation & RGB Lighting
Click to enlargeAs soon as I learned of the MG300’s six RGB colour modes and presentation, I was keen to slot it into my set-up and find out how it fits; thankfully, it does not disappoint. Although in a standard plastic chassis with rubber grips on the bottom that might not be necessary for some gaming and workstations, this Edifier speaker’s black noir colourway, sharp design, and RGB lights thinly running across both sides from top to bottom give it a premium aesthetic which can make it the focal point of your display.
Even if this is your only RGB device in your home office, the Edifier MG300’s sleek yet subtle demeanour still slots in nicely with even those of non-gamers, with the option to turn off the lighting if you wish. However, sitting with the rest of my RPG hardware, including a black Corsair keyboard and mouse alongside a Razer laptop with illuminated keys, it’s safe to say this speaker will beautifully befit most set-ups without clashing with other devices.
Plus, if you're using a wired keyboard like I am, a nice bonus to the MG300's rubber-grip feet is that the speaker is raised enough for a USB cable to slip right under it. Even if I wasn't working at a desk every day, just these little quality-of-life improvements make jumping between admin tasks on different devices much more of a breeze.
The dynamic lighting mode which shifts between all colours is the best, but the other five modes are available as well to fit your mood.
Sound & features
Click to enlargeA multimedia speaker wouldn’t be doing its job if it couldn’t deliver decent audio, but the Edifier MG300 is a soundbar that presents high-quality sound for the price you’re paying in multiple ways. At the push of the power button when already turned on, the MG300 shifts between its USB audio mode and 5.3 Bluetooth mode - indicated by the front and centre LED turning red or blue respectively.
With that, you’ll be granted some extra versatility by being able to connect to two devices simultaneously, one via wired USB and one Bluetooth, to switch audio input on the fly. For example, whilst connected to my laptop with the USB mode to play music as I work, I hooked the Bluetooth to my phone for calls to not only better hear those on the other end, but so I could also utilise the MG300’s hidden microphone at the top for added voice quality as well.
As for the actual sound quality, the MG300’s 52mm speakers and 2.5W dual drivers deliver decently deep, powerful, and well-tuned sound in its compact form. Audiophiles will agree it's not the deepest sound profile anyone’s ever heard in line with premium-priced speakers, but it’s inarguably an excellent fit for purpose.
Especially when also considering the automated music and gaming modes, the former emphasising a singer’s voice and the latter amplifying in-game details, the MG300 does well in trying to deliver the best of both mediums.
USB vs Bluetooth
Click to enlargeAs expected, a USB-wired connection is still the most foolproof audio method with the Edifier MG300, but latency is practically unnoticeable by comparison with the difference almost unnoticeable in most connectivity tests.
Testing music, videos, and multiple games on various devices; Hades and YouTube on PC (also on USB), Pokemon Scarlet & Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch (also on USB), and Spotify tracks and Netflix on mobile; the MG300’s Bluetooth wonderfully fulfils that aforementioned high sound quality with depth and vibrancy.
On the other hand, whilst this Edifier speaker has no major noticeable Bluetooth latency with video content on mobile phones, the same can’t be said for mobile games - there being around a 0.25-second delay when playing titles like Pokemon GO, MARVEL SNAP, Monster Hunter Now, and Genshin Impact. Just to be certain, I even performed similar tests on a second smartphone and confirmed the same results.
With the MG300 designed to be a home speaker, this compatibility hiccup with normally on-the-go mobile gaming should only affect a very small minority of those looking at this type of hardware - but it is nonetheless still an issue anyone who happens to fall into that category needs to be aware of.
Adding to the small amount of cons, as much as I love the Edifier MG300’s versatility in being able to connect and switch audio from multiple devices with USB and Bluetooth, the same can’t be said for the USB cable itself. By having only one fixed cable in the back of the speaker, anything that goes wrong with the wiring whether by damage or wear and tear will result in needing to replace the entire unit, whereas a universal port like for a USB-C would’ve added some less costly insurance.
What’s more, those who spend time with a compact speaker with such quick and easy connectivity options can’t help but take note of a missing chargeable battery. Yes, the Edifier MG300 can still be powered just fine by plugging it into an external battery pack, but having a battery put right into the unit would’ve given it even more appeal with extra portability and less mess without cables being essential - despite the potential slight price increase such a feature could’ve brought with it.
The Verdict
Click to enlargeAlthough missing out on some opportunities for added portability and longevity, the Edifier MG300 Multimedia Speaker excels in what it sets out to do: being a budget-friendly speaker that’s more than worth its price with beautiful RGB, a stylish-yet-compact design, and an outstanding sound quality for gaming and music on most compatible devices.
With mobile games facing the only big caveat, the MG300 is an excellent pick for delivering everyday audio from your home working or gaming desk set-up and looking good all the while. At an average price point of $69.99/£59.00 at the time of writing, what you get in return when buying the Edifier MG300 speaks volumes.
4.5/5
Review unit provided by the manufacturer. GGRecon uses affiliate links, if you purchase any products from our links we may earn a commission.
