Active noise cancellation, LDAC audio and up to 65 hours of battery life for RM399. The Edifier W80 might just be one of the more interesting budget headphones I’ve come across. When shopping for wireless headphones, it’s easy to get caught up looking at the big names. But sometimes, the more interesting options come from brands that manage to pack a surprising amount of hardware and features into a much more affordable package.
That’s what caught my attention with the Edifier W80.
For RM399, you’re getting active noise cancellation rated at up to 49dB, LDAC support for high resolution wireless audio, and up to 65 hours of battery life. On paper, that’s a pretty compelling combination for the money. But specifications only tell you so much. What matters is how these headphones actually feel, sound and fit into everyday use. So, let’s take a closer look.
First impressions: Simple, but surprisingly premium
The unboxing experience is pretty straightforward. The packaging is clean, and inside, you’ll find the headphones neatly placed in a moulded tray, with each ear cup wrapped in plastic. Edifier includes an AUX cable, a USB C charging cable, a travel pouch and the usual paperwork. Nothing particularly exciting here, but you’ve got everything you need to get started.
Picking up the W80 for the first time, what I like is that it doesn’t look like a pair of budget headphones trying too hard to look expensive. The design is clean and understated, and the textured finish on the ear cups gives it a more elegant appearance. It’s a small detail, but I think it makes quite a difference to the overall look. The ear cups are large enough to cover my ears, and the cushions are thick and soft. They’re made from memory foam wrapped in PU leather, which is exactly the sort of thing I want to see on headphones intended for longer listening sessions. The headband is padded, the metal sliders move smoothly, and the whole thing feels reasonably sturdy when handled. It doesn’t give me that fragile feeling you sometimes get with cheaper headphones.
At around 300g, the W80 isn’t particularly lightweight. However, the clamping force isn’t overly aggressive, so it doesn’t feel like the headphones are squeezing my head. That’s important to me because comfort can make or break a pair of headphones, especially when you’re wearing them for hours at a time.
The little details make a difference
One thing I appreciate about the W80 is how straightforward it is to use. The physical controls are positioned on the ear cups, with a volume rocker, a multifunction power button and a dedicated mode button. They’re easy to locate by touch, so I don’t have to keep taking the headphones off just to figure out which button I’m pressing.
The ear cups can also swivel flat and fold down, making them easier to carry around. Add the included travel pouch, and you’ve got a pair of headphones that’s reasonably convenient to throw into your bag when heading out. There’s also an AUX input alongside the USB C charging port, which means you aren’t restricted to Bluetooth all the time. These aren’t groundbreaking features, but they’re the sort of practical touches that make a product easier to live with. And at this price, I appreciate that Edifier hasn’t overlooked them.
Sound quality: Bass lovers, pay attention
Now, let’s talk about the part that matters most to me: the sound.
The W80 uses 40mm drivers and supports LDAC, provided you’re using a compatible device. You can also tweak the equaliser through the Edifier app if you want to adjust the sound to your liking. Out of the box, the first thing that stands out is the bass. It’s the star of the show, giving music a satisfying low end presence without making the entire sound signature feel completely unbalanced. The mids sit slightly behind the bass, while the treble remains smooth rather than becoming too sharp or aggressive. Personally, I find this sort of tuning easy to listen to for extended periods. You can put on your favourite playlist and just enjoy the music without feeling like the headphones are constantly trying to draw attention to one particular part of the sound.
That said, if you prefer a more neutral presentation where vocals and instruments take centre stage, the W80’s bass forward tuning might not be your cup of tea. I’d also temper expectations if you’re comparing it with headphones that cost several times more. But that’s the thing about the W80. At RM399, I’m not expecting it to outperform every premium headphone out there. I’m looking at whether it delivers an enjoyable listening experience for the money, and I think it makes a pretty convincing case. LDAC support is also a nice bonus, particularly if your phone supports it and you want to take advantage of higher quality Bluetooth audio.
Noise cancellation that makes sense at this price
Another major selling point is the active noise cancellation, which Edifier rates at up to 49dB. In practical terms, this gives the W80 another reason to be considered for commuting, working in noisier environments or simply listening to music without as much distraction from the outside world. Of course, I wouldn’t expect it to silence everything around me. Noise cancellation varies depending on the type of sound, and a rating alone doesn’t tell the whole story about real world performance. Still, having ANC alongside LDAC support and a comfortable over ear design at RM399 makes the W80 a compelling package. For someone who takes public transport regularly or wants a little more peace and quiet while listening to music, this is a feature worth having.
Surprisingly capable for casual gaming
I also tried the W80 for mobile gaming, and the audio remained crisp and in sync during my experience. That’s good news if, like me, you want a pair of headphones that can do more than just play music. You can use them for videos, entertainment and casual gaming without necessarily needing a separate headset for every activity. They aren’t marketed here as a dedicated gaming headset, so I wouldn’t buy them expecting specialised gaming features. But for casual gaming on your phone, they do the job nicely.
Battery life is another big win
Edifier claims up to 65 hours of battery life, which is one of the W80’s biggest advantages on paper. I like the idea of having headphones that don’t need to be charged every other day, especially if you’re using them for commuting, work and entertainment. Just keep in mind that actual battery life will depend on how you use them, including whether ANC is enabled. The advertised maximum shouldn’t automatically be taken as the runtime you’ll get in every situation. Even so, the claimed endurance is impressive for a pair of headphones at this price.
What I liked about the Edifier W80
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Great value for money – RM399
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Comfortable fit – Thick memory foam ear cushions and gentle clamping force make them comfortable for longer listening sessions.
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Premium looking design – The textured ear cups and understated styling give the headphones a more refined feel than their price suggests.
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Enjoyable sound signature – Bass takes centre stage, while the smooth treble makes listening less fatiguing over extended periods.
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LDAC support – A welcome feature for higher quality wireless audio on compatible devices.
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Decent noise cancellation – ANC helps reduce surrounding noise, making the headphones suitable for commuting and everyday use.
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Long battery life – Up to 65 hours of claimed playback means less frequent charging.
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Practical design – Foldable ear cups, intuitive physical controls, USB C charging and an AUX input make them versatile for daily use.
What could have been better
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Bass heavy tuning – The emphasis on bass means vocals and instruments in the midrange can feel slightly recessed.
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Not the most lightweight – At around 300g, they aren’t particularly light, even though the comfortable fit helps compensate.
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ANC expectations – The 49dB rating sounds impressive, but the real world effectiveness depends on the type of noise and environment.
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Battery claims need context – The 65 hour figure is a maximum claim, and actual endurance will vary depending on usage and ANC settings.
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Limited appeal for critical listening – Those who prefer a neutral, more detailed sound presentation may want to consider higher end alternatives.
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Nothing particularly groundbreaking – The W80 delivers a strong combination of existing features, but doesn’t introduce anything especially distinctive.
Final verdict: I’d seriously consider these at RM399
Here’s my takeaway from the Edifier W80: there are certainly better headphones out there, but they don’t necessarily come anywhere close to this price point. What I like is that Edifier has focused on a combination of features that genuinely matters for everyday use. You’ve got a comfortable fit, a bass forward sound signature, LDAC support, active noise cancellation, a foldable design and up to 65 hours of claimed battery life. None of these features alone makes the W80 particularly extraordinary. It’s the fact that you get all of them in a pair of headphones costing RM399 that makes it interesting.
Are they going to replace a much more expensive pair of headphones for everyone? Probably not. If you’re particularly fussy about sound quality or want the best possible noise cancellation, there are higher end options worth looking at. But if you’re shopping for a pair of wireless headphones that covers the essentials without asking you to spend a fortune, the W80 deserves a place on your shortlist.
For RM399, the Edifier W80 offers a lot to like. And honestly, that’s what makes it such an interesting pair of headphones.
Purchase Link(Malaysia) – https://www.edifier.com.my/product/edifier-w80/?srsltid=AYCX9vIQ-S8O2GA88uJa2UVj8A8MYOTPHKZn_hVnr04IVOFqKaeOivcR