Short answer: the Edifier R1280DB. It ranks #35 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $159.98; the Avantone Pro Active MixCube ranks #59 and costs $259, 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 Avantone Pro Active MixCube offers: A compact sealed single-driver monitor made specifically for checking midrange balance and mix translation. Its 60W Class-AB amplifier, balanced combo input, isolation pad and mic-stand mount make it a convenient specialist studio tool. Watch for: The local Spinorama results are exceptionally limited for general listening: -3.74 raw and only 1.00 with a subwoofer, with 183Hz measured extension. It omits deep bass and treble by design, so this ranking reflects objective full-range performance rather than its utility as a secondary mix check.
Buy the Edifier R1280DB. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Avantone Pro Active MixCube and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Avantone Pro Active MixCube. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1280DB | Avantone Pro Active MixCube | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.98 | $259 each |
| Ranked | #35 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #59 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) | 6.5H x 6.5W x 6.5D in |
| Frequency Response | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 90Hz-17kHz |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | Balanced XLR/TRS combo |
| Outputs | None | - |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg | 7.13 lbs each |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer | - |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Total | - |
| Enclosure | - | Powered sealed full-range monitor |
| Driver | - | 5.25-inch paper cone |
| Amplifier | - | 60W RMS Class AB |
| Maximum SPL | - | 104dB at 1m |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- KRK Classic 5 vs Edifier R1280T
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Donner Dyna 3
- KRK Classic 5 vs Fluid Audio FX50 V2
- Edifier R1280DB vs Dayton Audio M4
- Adam Audio T5V vs Edifier R1280DB
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
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- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier MR4
- See all 63 comparisons
Avantone Pro Active MixCube: $259 each B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A compact sealed single-driver monitor made specifically for checking midrange balance and mix translation. Its 60W Class-AB amplifier, balanced combo input, isolation pad and mic-stand mount make it a convenient specialist studio tool.
Cons: The local Spinorama results are exceptionally limited for general listening: -3.74 raw and only 1.00 with a subwoofer, with 183Hz measured extension. It omits deep bass and treble by design, so this ranking reflects objective full-range performance rather than its utility as a secondary mix check.
Full Avantone Pro Active MixCube review and specifications →
| Amplifier | 60W RMS Class AB |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.5H x 6.5W x 6.5D in |
| Driver | 5.25-inch paper cone |
| Enclosure | Powered sealed full-range monitor |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz-17kHz |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR/TRS combo |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB at 1m |
| Weight | 7.13 lbs each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs KRK Classic 5
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- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs KEF LSX II LT
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
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- See all 9 comparisons