Edifier ES60 Review: Retro Bluetooth Speaker Challenging Marshall’s Style

Exploring the Edifier ES60’s blend of retro charm and sound—does this stylish Bluetooth speaker truly outshine Marshall?

A Quick Two-Minute Look at the Edifier ES60

When Edifier touts their “ES” line with words like “elegant” and “excellent,” you naturally set your expectations high—especially for the Edifier ES60 Bluetooth Speaker, promising “immersive” and “high-quality 360-degree sound.” As a longtime fan of retro-inspired tech, I was eager to take it for a spin.

And honestly? It mostly delivered on elegance. The design is a standout, clearly taking cues from the iconic Marshall aesthetic. Those gold accents, the faux leather wrap, and the sleek speaker grille instantly won me over.

Portable? Definitely. Water-resistant? Sure, with an IP66 rating, it can handle splashes and dust, though it falls short compared to some rivals with more robust protection.

But when it comes to “excellence,” especially in sound, my enthusiasm waned a bit. The ES60 sounds solid, with clean audio and a punchy bass, but it’s missing the finer details rival speakers nail at this price point. Vocals don’t quite pop or feel as lively as on, say, a JBL Flip 7 Bluetooth Speaker. The highs can get piercing when you crank the volume too high.

Function-wise, it’s a mixed bag. The customizable LED lighting and USB-C audio input are neat perks, and the built-in mic works well for calls. But the EQ settings are frustratingly basic—no manual sliders to tame those shrill highs.

Battery life? Nine hours. That’s a bit stingy when compared to the competition. The Flip 7 can run for 16 hours, and the Marshall Emberton III Bluetooth Speaker is an absolute beast with 32 hours.

At around $200, the ES60’s price tag feels a little steep for what you get. Other options outperform it on sound, battery, and waterproofing. In the end, it’s a handsome speaker that’s tough to fully recommend without a discount.

Edifier ES60: Launch Date and Pricing

The Edifier ES60 Bluetooth Speaker dropped in March 2025 as part of Edifier’s “ES” series, which also includes the petite ES20 and the larger ES300. The official price is a sharp $199.99, though deals sometimes bring it under $150. It’s available in classic black or a cream “ivory” shade.

Availability and Considerations

Finding the ES60 can be tricky, as it’s still a fresh release. It’s not widely stocked in major retail chains but is available through international marketplaces, with prices estimated between $190 to $230 including shipping. If it hits official stores, expect it near the higher end.

One caveat: Edifier’s companion app, ConneX, which controls lighting and EQ, might not be readily available in some regions on Google Play or the App Store. You might need to switch account regions or download the APK on Android from third-party sources. Otherwise, Bluetooth and USB-C functions work smoothly, and the mic plays nicely with popular chat apps.

Specs Snapshot

• Drivers: 1 midrange (18W), 2 tweeters (8W each)
• Dimensions: 190 x 92 x 98 mm
• Weight: 1 kg
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C
• Battery Life: 9 hours
• Water Resistance: IP66

Features and Functionality

Under the hood, the ES60 sports a pretty standard setup for its size: a single 18-watt midrange driver paired with two 8-watt tweeters, totaling 34 watts. That’s on par with the power output of the JBL Flip 7 Bluetooth Speaker, and more than what you get from the Marshall Emberton III Bluetooth Speaker.

The speaker supports multipoint Bluetooth pairing—letting you connect two devices—and you can link two ES60s for stereo sound. The mic features noise suppression that does a respectable job highlighting your voice in noisy spots.

The equalizer settings in the Edifier ConneX app are, frankly, rudimentary: a basic “Music” mode plus presets for gaming, movies, and outdoor use. No genre-specific tweaks and no manual sliders. If you’re like me and want to tailor your sound, this is a definite letdown.

Battery life is another weak spot. Nine hours just doesn’t cut it when the Flip 7 offers nearly double that, and the Emberton III crushes it with 32 hours.

On the brighter side: the ES60’s bottom-facing LED lighting is a fun touch, casting ambient glows you can customize through the app. It adds a cozy vibe to any setting and can be switched off to save juice.

Plus, the USB-C wired connection is a rare feature among portables, delivering low-latency, higher-fidelity audio when you want it.

Functionality rating: 3.5/5

Sound Quality Breakdown

Having enjoyed the smaller ES20, I expected the ES60 to impress. Edifier promised “superior sound” and “deep bass,” so I lined up a playlist to test.

On Gino Vannelli’s “I Just Wanna Stop,” the speaker produced clean mid-volume vocals and balanced bass. However, the cymbals’ highs felt sharp, and cranking up the volume only made them harsher.

Gwen McCrae’s “Keep the Fire Burning” showed similar traits: the bass was controlled and clear, but the percussion highs poked the ears. Vocals sounded clean but lacked separation; instruments tended to blur together, reducing the overall clarity.

Bass-heavy “Fascinator” by Max Dean came through impressively, with dynamic and tight low-end punch. The highs still edged on aggressive but vocals sat nicely in the mix.

M-High’s “12 OC Riddim” pushed the lows deep. While the ES60 couldn’t hit the deepest subs, the bass punch was solid. However, loud volumes led to compression artifacts, shrill highs, and muddy vocals.

A plus: sound remained consistent even when moving around the room—a nice 360-degree experience.

Compared to the JBL Flip 7 Bluetooth Speaker, the ES60 falls short. The Flip highlights vocals with warmth and presence, while the ES60’s sound feels flatter, missing that “air” and subtlety.

Also worth noting: ES60 only supports the basic SBC Bluetooth codec—no LDAC, aptX, or AAC means no high-resolution wireless audio.

Sound rating: 3.5/5

Design: The ES60’s True Forte

If there’s one field where the ES60 shines, it’s design. Sure, it draws clear inspiration from Marshall’s classic look, but Edifier makes it their own with gold accents, eco-leather, and a stylish grille that feel premium.

You get the speaker in two tasteful colors: classic black and ivory cream. The top sports tactile buttons for easy control, while the rear houses the USB-C port for charging and wired audio.

The bottom LED lighting is more than just flair—it’s part of the speaker’s personality.

At about 1 kg, it’s not featherlight but still easy to carry one-handed, especially with the included strap. IP66 rating means dust won’t harm it, and it can withstand heavy water jets—though it’s not quite as rugged as the JBL Flip 7 Bluetooth Speaker’s IP68 protection, which lets you dunk it underwater.

Build quality feels solid and premium overall.

Design rating: 4.5/5

Price Versus Performance

Here’s where things get tricky. The ES60’s stunning design is somewhat overshadowed by its price tag. At around $200, it competes with strong contenders offering better sound, longer battery life, and tougher waterproofing.

The JBL Flip 7 Bluetooth Speaker is less expensive, sounds better, and boasts nearly double the battery. Even the Marshall Emberton III Bluetooth Speaker, the ES60’s design muse, trumps it with stereo sound, marathon endurance, and a more refined premium feel.

So, while the ES60 looks great, it’s not the best bang for your buck. Unless you snag a serious discount, it’s hard to recommend over its siblings in the same price bracket.

Price/Value rating: 2.5/5

Should You Buy the Edifier ES60?

How I Tested the Edifier ES60

I spent many hours with the ES60, exploring various genres and testing its features in different environments. Most listening was done indoors with my favorite playlists from Tidal and sometimes Spotify.

I toggled the LED lighting and EQ settings repeatedly, trying to find that perfect balance and to see how the speaker handled everything from mellow jazz to energetic electronic beats.

“It’s a handsome speaker that’s tough to fully recommend without a discount.”

FAQ

• What’s the battery life on the Edifier ES60?
  The speaker runs for about 9 hours on a single charge, which is shorter than many competitors.
• Does the ES60 support high-quality Bluetooth codecs?
  No, it only supports the basic SBC codec, so no aptX, LDAC, or AAC audio.
• Can I customize the EQ settings?
  The app offers only preset EQ modes with no manual sliders for fine-tuning.
• Is the Edifier ES60 waterproof?
  It has an IP66 rating, meaning it’s dustproof and can resist heavy splashes but not full submersion.
• How does the ES60 compare to JBL Flip 7 and Marshall Emberton III?
  The ES60 excels in design but falls behind on sound quality, battery life, and waterproofing compared to these rivals.

If you appreciate the ES60’s retro flair and want to bring that vibe into your space, why not shop your favorite album cover poster at our store? It’s the perfect way to complement your stylish speaker setup. Browse posters here.