Short answer: the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB for better sound quality, the Edifier R1280DB for the lower price. The Devialet Phantom II 98 dB ranks #10 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $2998. The Edifier R1280DB ranks #35 at $159.98, $2838.02 cheaper.
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 Devialet Phantom II 98 dB offers: Exceptional bass for its tiny sealed enclosure measures 30Hz at -3dB, 25.8Hz at -6dB, and 22.4Hz at -12dB, with a well-damped 0.302 low-frequency Q. The 2.58 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation indicates broad, consistent dispersion, and preference scores reach 6.07 without a subwoofer and 7.15 with one. Each speaker integrates amplification, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon, Bluetooth, Ethernet, and optical/analog input. Watch for: The medium-quality manufacturer measurement has a 2.3dB reference band and 0.590dB on-axis average absolute deviation, good rather than class-leading linearity. Stereo requires two individually powered network speakers and costs nearly $3,000; maximum output is rated at 98dB at 1m per speaker, and the all-in-one architecture offers less serviceability and system flexibility than conventional monitors.
Buy the Edifier R1280DB if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB if sound quality matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1280DB | Devialet Phantom II 98 dB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.98 | $2,998/pair |
| Ranked | #35 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #10 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 | 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the same driver/cabinet platform as the R1280T; read from that thread’s chart | approximately 22.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 9.2"H x 5.7"W x 7.7"D (233.7 x 144.8 x 195.6 mm) | 6.6 x 6.2 x 8.6 in each |
| Frequency Response | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, Roon Ready, analog/optical combo jack |
| Outputs | None | - |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg | 9.5 lb each |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer | One aluminum full-range driver; two aluminum bass drivers |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Total | 400W RMS each |
| Max SPL | - | 98dB at 1m each |
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- Edifier R1280DB vs Kali Audio SM-5
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
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- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier MR4
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Devialet Phantom II 98 dB: $2,998/pair Devialet eBay
Pros: Exceptional bass for its tiny sealed enclosure measures 30Hz at -3dB, 25.8Hz at -6dB, and 22.4Hz at -12dB, with a well-damped 0.302 low-frequency Q. The 2.58 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation indicates broad, consistent dispersion, and preference scores reach 6.07 without a subwoofer and 7.15 with one. Each speaker integrates amplification, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon, Bluetooth, Ethernet, and optical/analog input.
Cons: The medium-quality manufacturer measurement has a 2.3dB reference band and 0.590dB on-axis average absolute deviation, good rather than class-leading linearity. Stereo requires two individually powered network speakers and costs nearly $3,000; maximum output is rated at 98dB at 1m per speaker, and the all-in-one architecture offers less serviceability and system flexibility than conventional monitors.
Full Devialet Phantom II 98 dB review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 22.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 6.6 x 6.2 x 8.6 in each |
| Drivers | One aluminum full-range driver; two aluminum bass drivers |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, Roon Ready, analog/optical combo jack |
| Max SPL | 98dB at 1m each |
| Output Power | 400W RMS each |
| Weight | 9.5 lb each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Devialet Phantom II 98 dB vs JBL 305P MKII
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