Short answer: the Edifier MR4 for better sound quality, the Edifier R1280DB for the lower price. The Edifier MR4 ranks #23 of 42 powered bookshelf speakers at $169.99. The Edifier R1280DB ranks #25 at $159.98, $10.01 cheaper.
On the Edifier MR4 side: More balanced than the R1280DB. Set against that: No Bluetooth unlike other Edifier models.
What the Edifier R1280DB offers: Same drivers and cabinet as the ASR-measured Edifier R1280T (identical 4” woofer, same 4.9kg enclosure) plus Bluetooth and digital optical/coax inputs the R1280T doesn’t have. Watch for: Shares the R1280T’s jagged on-axis response rather than a neutral one, with a woofer resonance around 5kHz and a tweeter peak near 10kHz that also show up in the directivity data.
Buy the Edifier MR4 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Edifier R1280DB if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4 | Edifier R1280DB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 | $159.98 |
| Ranked | #23 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #25 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 7.6"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) | 9.2"H x 5.7"W x 7.7"D (233.7 x 144.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Outputs | Headphone | None |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Per Speaker | 42w RMS Total |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 109Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the same driver/cabinet platform as the R1280T; read from that thread’s chart |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the same driver/cabinet platform as the R1280T; read from that thread’s chart |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
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- KRK Classic 5 vs Edifier R1280T
- KRK Classic 5 vs Neumi BS5P
- Edifier R1280DB vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Edifier MR4 vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier MR4: $169.99 Amazon
Pros: More balanced than the R1280DB. The value king. Impressively deep, flat bass down to 70Hz for such a small speaker, and its waveguide gives it unusually wide, consistent horizontal directivity for the price. Balanced XLR/TRS inputs are rare this cheap.
Cons: No Bluetooth unlike other Edifier models. Distortion climbs sharply above 86dB SPL, breaking into audible squealing near 96dB, and there’s a dip in the lower treble that needs a bit of EQ or the rear HF control to smooth out. Playback volume is limited with bass-heavy material - pushing it loud brings audible clicking/static.
Full Edifier MR4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 109Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 7.6"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1280DBs sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1700BT sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs iLoud Micro Monitor sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E4.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Mackie CR4-X sound.DEMO
- Reddit Search for Edifier MR4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Edifier R1280DB: $159.98 Amazon
Pros: Same drivers and cabinet as the ASR-measured Edifier R1280T (identical 4” woofer, same 4.9kg enclosure) plus Bluetooth and digital optical/coax inputs the R1280T doesn’t have. ASR’s measurements of that shared platform found the woofer handled a demanding bass-heavy track without bottoming out or audible distortion, and distortion stayed low and inaudible at a normal 86dB SPL listening level. Built-in remote and bass/treble tone controls, no separate preamp needed.
Cons: Shares the R1280T’s jagged on-axis response rather than a neutral one, with a woofer resonance around 5kHz and a tweeter peak near 10kHz that also show up in the directivity data. The reviewer’s raw impression of that platform was “a bit bass heavy and after a track or two, somewhat bright,” and recommends EQ correction; vertical listening window is narrow, so the tweeter needs to be angled toward the ears. Not quite as neutral sounding as the Edifier MR4.
Full Edifier R1280DB review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the same driver/cabinet platform as the R1280T; read from that thread's chart |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the same driver/cabinet platform as the R1280T; read from that thread's chart |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9.2"H x 5.7"W x 7.7"D (233.7 x 144.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Total |
| Outputs | None |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier R1280DB vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier R1280T
- Edifier R1280DB vs KRK Classic 5
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Edifier R1280DB vs KEF LSX II LT
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier S1000W
- Edifier R1280DB vs Presonus Eris E5
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier S1000MKII
- See all 27 comparisons