I’ve finally gotten to the point in my gaming setup where everything needs to have RGB lighting. My mic? The HyperX Quadcast S. Above my setup? A rather stylish Nanoleaf display. And now? Now even my speakers have RGB lighting.
What I’ve found in my quest to bathe everything I own in a pulsating glow is bigger isn’t always better. The larger the RGB lights, the more tacky and offputting they become. That’s why I’m digging the MG300 speakers. The lighting here is a thin line that wraps around the sides. It’s a little under five millimeters in width, meaning there’s enough space for the lights to beam, but it’s more subtle than, say, the Edifier QD35.
I still love and use my QD35, but when I have my Nanoleaf, mic, and the speakers on, I’m on the verge of getting sensory overload. With the MG300 speakers, the smaller light spread helps to bring the focus back down to, in my case, what’s in front of me.
MG300 Audio Quality.
RGB lighting is a focal point, but if the sound quality isn’t there then there’s zero point in owning these speakers.
I need to get this out the way first, the MG300, at $59.99, isn’t going to hold a candle to the other Edifier speakers I’ve reviewed, namely the QD35 ($199.99) or the S1000W ($499.99). Nor should it. The MG300 is a budget-friendly set of speakers, and while the sound quality is excellent, at this much lower price point it’s a given that the more pricey offerings will offer better audio overall.
- Highs: Easy to pick out and clear.
- Mids: Clear.
- Lows: Lacking.
- Vocals. Clear and don’t get lost.
Highs, mids, and vocals are where the MG300 shines brightest. One of the most annoying things I find with speakers and headphones is when vocals get lost or dampened under voracious beats or instruments. It’s maddening when one level overrides everything else. With the MG300, vocals can punch through the backing track with force, and I never found myself having to focus on them to be able to hear.
It’s the same for highs, and while mids are slightly less pronounced than the highs, Edifier has done a great job of balancing these factors so each can be heard equally, although bass is by far the weakest of the bunch. It’s not as lacking as some of the speakers and headphones I’ve reviewed in the past, but it’s more in the realm of a hum than a thump. It’s there, it’s just not as engulfing as the more premium Edifier speakers.
Is that a bad thing? I’m torn. I’d have preferred a little more oomph to the bass as that helps to emphasize different elements. Bass is, after all, like seasoning. But on the flip side, these are tabletop speakers. For most, the speakers are likely going to be sitting on a desk less than a meter away. I’ve got mine set up directly below my monitor, with only a keyboard separating us. It’s hard not to worry that too much bass this close to my actual face would be offputting.
So yeah, while I’d have liked a slightly more engrossing bass, I understand why Edifier played it safe here. Not everyone wants their face melted from overly warm tunes.
Ease of Use.
I’ve mentioned how the sound quality of the MG300 can’t compare with the pricier Edifier offerings, but one area where the MG300 beats both of those speakers is just how user-friendly it is.
The setup is easy wherever I place it. For my PC, Steam Deck, and ASUS ROG Ally, it’s just a case of plugging in the USB-C cable to the MG300 and my respective dock. Press the power button, and it’ll work. You can’t get simpler than that.
To use the MG300 on a mobile device, all I did was plug the speakers into my dock so it’s powered, then tap the power button while it’s on to switch it into Bluetooth mode. Then it’s just a case of adding it as you would any other Bluetooth device. Again, it’s simple and doesn’t require any kind of effort.
For the on-speaker controls, Edifier went with buttons for play and pause, an RGB lighting switch, and volume up and volume down. Holding down either of the volume buttons also doubles up as the skip and restart track options. I’ve tested these functions with Spotify and other music streaming sites and they all work effortlessly.
Should You Buy It?
For me, the Edifier MG300 falls into the gaming category much more than it does regular speakers. The soundbar design along with the pulsating and fixed RGB lights really lend itself to the gaming vibe. They’re also highly capable speakers when it comes to in-game audio. Whether I’m playing Fortnite, Alan Wake 2, or Red Dead Redemption 2, the MG300 did a stellar job of keeping me immersed. Audio quality for music is also solid with the exception of the slightly less pronounced bass.
If you’re after a set of speakers that are lightweight enough to slot into any gaming setup and you don’t want to spend an obscene amount of money on the super high-end stuff, the Edifier MG300 comes easy to recommend. Especially at the current, lower price point.
Disclosure: Review unit provided by PR on behalf of Edifier | All photos captured by Wesley Copeland. To learn more about our review policy click here. | Alternatively, click here to find out why you can trust me.
