Edifier MP300 Plus 2.1 laptop speaker system

Awesome audio

All told, the MP300 weighs 1.3kg, but comes with a handy, padded nylon carry case and is certainly “packable” for long holidays.

It also comes with a handy, padded nylon carry case

Power output is rated as 3.5W for each of the satellites and 15W for the sub-woofer, while the whole thing runs off 12V power. With no passive-operation option, no power means no noise. The system proved to be very well shielded, and proved wholly immune to the strange throbs and squeaks that many portable speaker systems can be prone to in a technology intensive environment.

Two little silver knobs on the top of the right-hand satellite speaker control the volume – hold the left one down to reduce the volume, hold the right to increase, or tap them both together to mute. All in all, a simple, elegant and effective way of doing things.

Also available in silver

Not to beat about the bush, the sound produced by the MP300 is excellent. Not excellent as in 'excellent by the standards of PC speakers' but excellent period.