Short answer: the Edifier R1280DB. It ranks #35 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $159.98; the Adam Audio A4V ranks #48 and costs $599.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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. 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. 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. 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.
What the Adam Audio A4V offers: Compact current-generation monitor with an X-ART tweeter, onboard DSP, room controls and Sonarworks integration. ASR data shows good on-axis smoothness (0.132), a nearly neutral +0.23dB/octave slope and a 5.43 preference score with a subwoofer. Watch for: Measured bass extension is only 52Hz and the raw preference score falls to 3.02 without a subwoofer. Directivity-index consistency is middling at 3.77, and its analog-only XLR/RCA audio inputs omit USB and S/PDIF.
Buy the Edifier R1280DB. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Adam Audio A4V and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Adam Audio A4V. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1280DB | Adam Audio A4V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.98 | $599.99 each |
| Ranked | #35 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #48 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the same driver/cabinet platform as the R1280T; read from that thread’s chart | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the same driver/cabinet platform as the R1280T; read from that thread’s chart | - |
| Dimensions | 9.2"H x 5.7"W x 7.7"D (233.7 x 144.8 x 195.6 mm) | 10.6H x 6.2W x 8.7D in |
| Frequency Response | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control |
| Outputs | None | - |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg | 12.8 lbs each |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 4" MLM woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Total | - |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way active, dual front ports |
| Power Output | - | 130W RMS each |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Topping MA4
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Dayton Audio M4
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Audioengine HD4
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier S1000W
- Edifier R1280DB vs Neumann KH80 DSP
Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 AM 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier R1280DB: $159.98 Amazon eBay
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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier R1700BT Sound Demo w/ Bass Test More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier R1280DBs vs Edifier R1700BTs Sound Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1280DBs sound.DEMO
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Edifier R1280DB Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier R1280DB vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier R1280T
- Edifier R1280DB vs Topping MA4
- Edifier R1280DB vs Sigberg Audio SBS.1
- Edifier R1280DB vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Edifier R1280DB vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- Edifier R1280DB vs Presonus Eris E5
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier MR4
- See all 63 comparisons
Adam Audio A4V: $599.99 each B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Compact current-generation monitor with an X-ART tweeter, onboard DSP, room controls and Sonarworks integration. ASR data shows good on-axis smoothness (0.132), a nearly neutral +0.23dB/octave slope and a 5.43 preference score with a subwoofer.
Cons: Measured bass extension is only 52Hz and the raw preference score falls to 3.02 without a subwoofer. Directivity-index consistency is middling at 3.77, and its analog-only XLR/RCA audio inputs omit USB and S/PDIF.
Full Adam Audio A4V review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 6.2W x 8.7D in |
|---|---|
| Drivers | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 4" MLM woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, dual front ports |
| Inputs | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control |
| Power Output | 130W RMS each |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons