Edifier R1280DBs Review – Bluetooth On A Budget

The Edifier R1280DBs bookshelf speakers are affordable. Are they worth the budget price? We tackle that question in our Edifier R1280DBs review. To get the best out of your music and home theater, you really need to listen to proper speakers. And bookshelf speakers make a decent option. Listening to your music collection on your cell phone or tiny Bluetooth speaker isn’t going to do it the justice that it deserves. We’ll take a look at what Edifier’s R1280DBs active bookshelf speakers offer. Whether you end up buying these or not, we’ll get you the information to make the best decision.

Specifications

Dimensions (Per Speaker)	9.2” H x 5.7” W x 7.7” D
Weight (Per Speaker)	10.8 pounds – powered left speaker (5.6) and passive right speaker (4.2)
Type	Active Bookshelf Speakers
Power	42 Watts Total (Peak) – 21W Per Channel
Frequency Response	75 Hz ~ 18 KHz
Drivers (Per Speaker)	2 – 4″ full-range driver and 13mm Silk Dome Tweeter
Connectivity Options	AUX/RCA (2), Dual Output
Warranty	2 Years
Other Features	remote control, on-board control knobs (volume, bass, and treble), included cables

Edifier R1280DBs Highlights

• Supports Bluetooth 5.0
• Subwoofer Out Connection
• Beautiful Sound Quality
• Wide Range of Input Options
• Tone Adjustment Dials

Supports Bluetooth 5.0

The Edifier R1280DBs are actually a pair of Bluetooth bookshelf speakers. Most people choose to stream their favorite music which makes the addition of Bluetooth a key feature. The Edifier R1280DBs can be paired with any Bluetooth device including cell phones, tablets, and laptops. Once the Bluetooth is connected, music can be played and controlled from your desired device.

Subwoofer Out Connection

These speakers do a good job of reproducing all ranges of the music you are listening to. However, if you want to appreciate bass even more, then you will need a subwoofer. Many people ask if they should pair a subwoofer with bookshelf speakers. You definitely should for speakers this size. Luckily, the R1280DBs have a 3.5mm jack connection which can be connected to a subwoofer to further improve your enjoyment.

Bass is often a priority when building a well-balanced home speaker setup. This is yet another feature that makes the Edifier R1280DBs a great value. Those seeking to boost the low end will have a pretty simple solution with the subwoofer out connection. The subwoofer out connection is compatible with virtually any sub which has a 3.5mm connection, or RCA connections. Edifier makes their own subwoofers which match well with the design of the speakers themselves.

Great Sound Quality

When you compare the R1280DBs speakers, you’ll get an impressive audio experience for the price point. While the total power output is only 42W, the sound is still enjoyable. In this price range, tiny sound can be an issue. The cabinet size of these speakers is pretty compact. Despite that, there’s still a quality sound with fullness.

Wide Range of Input Options

The R1280DBs speakers support a wide range of connection options. As well as supporting connection through Bluetooth, they also support wired connections. The speakers have several input options on the back, including RCA, optical, and digital coax connections. The different inputs can be switched between using the dials on the side of the speaker, or the remote. The wide range of inputs means that it can connect to audio sources of all kinds. That makes it good for your television, computer, turntable, or home theater system.

Tone Adjustment Dials

There are three dials on the side of the right-hand speaker. These dials can be used to adjust the volume, bass, and treble. Pressing the volume dial will cycle through the speaker’s inputs and enable Bluetooth connectivity. The bass and treble dials are convenient to precisely adjust the sound signature to your liking. Sound quality is one thing. Getting the right EQ is different based on the listening experience you’re looking for.

Product Summary

For anyone who is looking to purchase a pair of active bookshelf speakers, the Edifier R1280DBs make a great budget option. Active speakers already have power onboard. That means no need to buy an external amplifier. These speakers and their features are good value for money at this price point. They will also fit in seamlessly in your living room or office. There are two colors available (Black or Brown wood grain). The first thing you will notice when unboxing these speakers is that they have some weight to them. That is despite their compact size. This is a well-built pair of speakers.

The speakers also come boxed with pretty much everything you could need to get started. That includes a 3.5mm to cable, optical cable, and an RCA connection cable. And of course, there are the actual speakers, a remote, and the cable that connect the speakers. The power switch, subwoofer out, several input ports, and more can be found on the rear panel of the right speaker. Tuning dials to adjust volume, bass, and treble on the right side of the right speaker. A 4-inch woofer and 13mm silk dome tweeter can be found on the front of both speakers. Optional grill covers are also included for those who prefer that look. You can’t expect high-end, luxury audio in his price range. What you also rarely find is a pair of bookshelf speakers that check so many boxes. Listening to music on the Edifier R1280DBs is much more enjoyable than typical Bluetooth speakers. While they can’t get very loud, they still manage to achieve solid clarity and bass in a small footprint.

Pros

• Great stylish speakers – These speakers look fantastic and can be put on a desk, counter, or shelf. You can take the removable mesh panels off for a more modern look.
• Includes all cables required – It’s really annoying if you buy something but can’t use it straight away as you’re missing something. That’s not the case with the Edifier R1280DBs everything you could possibly need to set them up is included in the box. Whether you are connecting them to a device with a 3.5mm jack or an optical cable, you have the necessary materials.
• Wireless remote control – Edifier’s R1280DBs bookshelf speakers come with a helpful wireless remote control. With the remote, you’re able to change inputs, adjust the volume, activate Bluetooth, and control playback.
• Controls on Speaker – Control dials can be found on the side of the right speaker. The allow you to make small tweaks to the treble and bass. This is perfect for situational use. Want to temporarily boost the low-end? No problem. A 3rd dial allows for volume control. Pushing that same dial will switch inputs
• High Quality – These speakers have a stylish wooden case. They look great and feel well-built.
• Subwoofer Output – The speakers do produce solid, if not booming bass. Fortunately, if you want an even better sound then you can connect a separate subwoofer. Edifier makes it simple by including a subwoofer out line on the R1280DBs.
• Bluetooth 5.0 Connectivity – The pairing mode for Bluetooth is very easy to use. As soon as the speakers are in pairing mode, you can easily connect your Bluetooth device of your choice.
• Compact Size – The speakers are small enough size to not take up too much space. The compact size makes for great flexibility when considering placement options.
• Removable Grills Covers– The felt grills can be removed if you like the look of the speakers without the dust covers.

Cons

• Size Restrictions – You have to take the food with the bad. Unfortunately, the smaller speakers are typically not as loud. Edifier’s R1280DBs are even a little small for bookshelf speakers. The 42W of total power output is just not suitable for larger rooms. Their size makes them best suited for computer or desktop speakers. Or a small, dedicated listening station for turntables.
• No Big Bass – This is somewhat related to the smaller size. It’s also just part of the equation with bookshelf speakers. Only the largest bookshelf speakers have what many would consider big bass. The 4-inch bass woofer on these speakers is unfortunately not going to shake the room.
• No AptX HD – While it may be nitpicking, I wish AptX HD was included on these speakers. Older Edifier speakers have Bluetooth 4.0 and AptX HD. Those are higher-end and more expensive speakers to be fair. It still feels like an unfortunate omission since these are updated to Bluetooth 5.0.
  

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Edifier R1280DBs Verdict

If you are looking to purchase a quality pair of bookshelf speakers, there’s a lot to consider. If your budget is under $200, it’ll be harder to find a lot of quality options. Edifier’s R1280DBs are a pair of budget bookshelf speakers that fall into that category. While on the smaller side, they have Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, a ton of input options, included cables, a remote control, onboard tuning dials, and a subwoofer out. The sound quality is good for this price range. Just don’t expect audiophile sound quality. That’s not the main selling point of these bookshelf speakers. That would be all the included features and functionality it provides at this low price point.

Alternative Options

We have additional guides if you’re looking for the best bookshelf speakers. In this price range, there are a few solid options. The Edifier R1280DB speakers are actually a little cheaper than the R1280DB. As the names suggest, they are very similar. The R1280DBs add a subwoofer line out. It’s also Bluetooth 5.0 vs the R1280DB’s Bluetooth 4.0. Edifier’s S1000DB bookshelf speakers are a good option if you like the R1280DB’s features and want better sound quality. They are also bigger and more suitable for a larger space.

Klipsch’s R-15M are passive bookshelf speakers with a dynamic and fun EQ. Unlike active speakers, passive speakers will require an amplifier or receiver to power them. They’ll get louder than the aforementioned speakers and have bigger bass. Sony’s SSCS5 passive bookshelf speakers are another good option. They make a great budget option and a lower-priced than the Edifier R1280DBs. The Sony SSCS5 speakers are especially ideal if you’re looking to build a home theater system.