Short answer: the Edifier R1280DB. It ranks #88 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $139.99; the Avantone Pro Active MixCube ranks #99, rated 1.7/5, and costs $518, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Edifier R1280DB is the better-sounding option. Optical/coaxial inputs and Bluetooth add practical flexibility over the analog Edifier R1280T, while remote and tone controls simplify everyday listening. Watch for: The compact format is better suited to nearfield listening than high-volume playback across a large room.
What the Avantone Pro Active MixCube does well: A deliberately bandwidth-limited single-driver monitor for checking midrange balance and mix translation. Watch for: It is not a full-range music speaker.
Buy the Edifier R1280DB. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Avantone Pro Active MixCube and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1280DB | Avantone Pro Active MixCube | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.99 per pair | $518 per pair |
| Ranked | #88 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #99 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the R1280T driver and cabinet; read from that measurement | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | - |
| 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) | 7.1 lbs (3.2 kg) each |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer | 5.25-inch paper-cone driver; 5.25-inch paper-cone driver; 5.25-inch paper-cone driver; 5.25-inch paper-cone driver |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 42w RMS Total | 60W RMS Class AB |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | Powered sealed full-range monitor |
| Maximum SPL | - | 104dB at 1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | -3.58 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 1.16 |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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: $139.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Optical/coaxial inputs and Bluetooth add practical flexibility over the analog Edifier R1280T, while remote and tone controls simplify everyday listening. It is a convenient inexpensive stereo system rather than a separate amplifier-and-speaker setup. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The compact format is better suited to nearfield listening than high-volume playback across a large room. Basic tone controls offer less flexibility than parametric equalization.
Full Edifier R1280DB review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 42w RMS Total |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the R1280T driver and cabinet; read from that measurement |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | None |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Related-model measurements: Edifier R1280T (not R1280DB)
- 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
- Related-model Spinorama: Edifier R1280T (not R1280DB)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier R1280T
- Edifier R1280DB vs Midiplus MI5 II
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier R1700BT
- Edifier R1280DB vs JBL One Series 104
- Edifier R1280DB vs Audioengine HD4
- Edifier R1280DB vs Kali Audio IN-UNF
- Edifier R1280DB vs Fluid Audio FX50 V2
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier S1000MKII
- See all 70 comparisons
Avantone Pro Active MixCube: $518 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A deliberately bandwidth-limited single-driver monitor for checking midrange balance and mix translation. The powered, sealed format, isolation pad and stand mounting make it useful as a secondary studio reference.
Cons: It is not a full-range music speaker. The measured -3dB point is around 297Hz, and scores of -3.58 standalone and 1.16 with an ideal subwoofer reflect severe bandwidth and response limitations for general listening. A subwoofer cannot restore the missing high-frequency coverage. This low general-purpose rank does not measure its usefulness for the specialist task of checking a mix.
Full Avantone Pro Active MixCube review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W RMS Class AB |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.5H x 6.5W x 6.5D in |
| Drivers | 5.25-inch paper-cone driver; 5.25-inch paper-cone driver; 5.25-inch paper-cone driver; 5.25-inch paper-cone driver |
| Enclosure | Powered sealed full-range monitor |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz-17kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR/TRS combo |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB at 1m |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | -3.58 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 1.16 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs (3.2 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs Donner Dyna 3
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs Fluid Audio FX50 V2
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs Audioengine HD4
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs Edifier S1000MKII
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs Edifier S1000W
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs Edifier R2000DB
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs KRK Classic 5
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs Edifier MR4
- See all 16 comparisons