Short answer: the Edifier M60. It ranks #9 of 47 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $169.99; the Edifier R1280DBs ranks #96, rated 3.1/5, and costs $199.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the Edifier M60: Erin’s Klippel data shows a reasonably even midrange, spanning 2.8dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with broad horizontal coverage for desktop listening. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Edifier R1280DBs lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Edifier R1280DBs lacks. The catch: The on-axis response rises by about 0.57dB per octave, so the tonal balance becomes brighter toward the treble.
Why pick the Edifier R1280DBs: Adds a subwoofer output and Bluetooth 5.0 to the Edifier R1280DB formula, so it can grow into a 2.1 system later. Watch for: It shares its drivers and cabinet with the Edifier R1280T, which measured a preference score of only 2.41 standalone (5.02 with an ideal subwoofer), with bass rolling off near 63Hz and an uneven response.
Buy the Edifier M60. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Edifier R1280DBs and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
About the ratings: the Edifier R1280DBs’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 2.9 to 3.3, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier M60 | Edifier R1280DBs | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 per pair | $199.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #9 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #96 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LDAC | SBC |
| Dimensions | 6.6”H x 3.9”W x 5.8”D (167.6 x 99.1 x 147.3 mm) | 5.7”W x 9.2”H x 7.7”D (146 x 234 x 196 mm) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (bass and treble knobs) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, USB-C | Bluetooth, 2x RCA line in, Optical, Coaxial; Sub out |
| Drivers | 3” woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter | 4” mid/bass driver + 0.5” silk dome tweeter (each) |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) (pair) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 51Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 66W total (33W per speaker) | 42W RMS total (21W + 21W) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.60 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.33 | - |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | Yes | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Edifier M60:
- Audio Smile Little British Monitor vs Edifier M60
- Edifier M60 vs Genelec 8010A
- ADAM Audio D3v vs Edifier M60
- Edifier M60 vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
- Edifier M60 vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier M60: $169.99 per pair Amazon $169.99 eBay
Same family: the Edifier M90 (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 3.3/5).
Pros: Erin’s Klippel data shows a reasonably even midrange, spanning 2.8dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with broad horizontal coverage for desktop listening. Predicted preference scores are 4.60 standalone and 7.33 with an ideal subwoofer, a comparatively strong result in this compact category. USB-C, auxiliary input, Bluetooth and included angled stands make it easy to integrate into a small desk setup. LDAC Bluetooth support and illuminated touch controls round out the features. Measured bass extension of 67Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87.5dB.
Cons: The on-axis response rises by about 0.57dB per octave, so the tonal balance becomes brighter toward the treble. Measured -3dB bass extension is about 70Hz; it cannot reproduce deep bass at full level. Sitting below the tweeter axis worsens the crossover-region response. Limiting and compression constrain louder playback, so use it nearfield rather than expecting room-filling output.
Full Edifier M60 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2024 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 66W total (33W per speaker) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.6”H x 3.9”W x 5.8”D (167.6 x 99.1 x 147.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 3” woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, USB-C |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.33 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Edifier M60 Desktop Speaker Delivers Big Fun! More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: The Best Budget Desktop Speakers, Tested & Rated
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Edifier M60
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget – 2026 More from Jasper Tech →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier M60 vs HiVi Swan X3
- Edifier M60 vs Edifier MR3
- Edifier M60 vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Pro
- Edifier M60 vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Edifier M60 vs Kanto ORA4
- Edifier M60 vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
- Edifier M60 vs Sovox MiniMax3
- Edifier M60 vs ADAM Audio D3v
- See all 37 comparisons
Edifier R1280DBs: $199.99 per pair Estimated Amazon $199.99 eBay
Pros: Adds a subwoofer output and Bluetooth 5.0 to the Edifier R1280DB formula, so it can grow into a 2.1 system later. Optical, coaxial and two RCA inputs plus a remote make it an easy TV or desktop pair, and bass and treble knobs allow basic tuning.
Cons: It shares its drivers and cabinet with the Edifier R1280T, which measured a preference score of only 2.41 standalone (5.02 with an ideal subwoofer), with bass rolling off near 63Hz and an uneven response. Tiny 0.5 inch tweeters and 21W per side limit how loud and clean it gets in a larger room, and there are no higher quality Bluetooth codecs.
Full Edifier R1280DBs review and specifications →
| Released | 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 42W RMS total (21W + 21W) (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 5.7”W x 9.2”H x 7.7”D (146 x 234 x 196 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” mid/bass driver + 0.5” silk dome tweeter (each) |
| EQ | Yes (bass and treble knobs) |
| Frequency Response | 51Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA line in, Optical, Coaxial; Sub out |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) (pair) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Top Shelf Media: Is This The Best Budget Speaker On The Market? Edifier R1280DBs Review
- DreaTek: Best Budget Speakers? Edifier R1280DBs Bluetooth - Review & Sound Test
- Tech Guided: Edifier R2180T vs R1280Ts vs R1280DB vs R1280DBs
- The Sonic Spectrum: The BEST Budget TV Speakers Edifier 1280DBs Full Review!
- Android Central: Edifier R1280DBs review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons