Short answer: the Edifier MR4.5. It ranks #69 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $199.99. The Edifier R1280T ranks #95, rated 3.1/5, at $149.99, $50 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Edifier MR4.5 is the more accurate pick. A desktop monitor pair with deep bass for its size, LDAC Bluetooth, balanced inputs, a headphone jack and app tuning. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 3.86 against 2.41 for the Edifier R1280T. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Edifier R1280T lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Edifier R1280T lacks. The catch: The response is uneven, with a broad upper-bass bump around 120 to 150Hz, a presence dip of roughly 3dB around 2 to 3kHz and brighter treble above it (listening-window tilt +0.22dB per octave), which holds its preference score to about 3.9 on its own and 6.1 with an ideal subwoofer.
Why pick the Edifier R1280T: A cheap, simple powered bookshelf pair with a remote and bass and treble knobs, no amplifier needed. Watch for: Preference scores of 2.41 standalone and 5.02 with an ideal subwoofer reflect substantial tonal limitations, not just missing bass.
Buy the Edifier MR4.5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $50 with the Edifier R1280T does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4.5 | Edifier R1280T | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 per pair | $149.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #69 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #95 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 5.5”W x 9.6”H x 9”D (140 x 244 x 229 mm) (active); 140W x 244H x 208D mm (passive) | 9.2”H x 7.7”W x 5.7”D (234 x 196 x 146 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth | 2x RCA Input |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone | None |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.63 kg) | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Drivers | 4.5-inch mid-bass driver + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) | 4” (102mm) woofer |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC | - |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, room compensation settings and rear high/low controls) | No |
| Amplifier Power | 80W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) | 42w RMS Total |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.86 (calculated from Erin’s Audio Corner CEA2034 data) | 2.41 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.10 (calculated from Erin’s Audio Corner CEA2034 data) | 5.02 |
| Measurement Source | Erin’s Audio Corner | - |
| Headphone Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
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