Short answer: the Airpulse A100 for better sound quality, the Edifier R1280DB for the lower price. The Airpulse A100 ranks #34 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.0/5, at $999.99. The Edifier R1280DB ranks #88, rated 3.1/5, at $139.99, $860 cheaper.
The case for the Edifier R1280DB: Optical/coaxial inputs and Bluetooth add practical flexibility over the analog R1280T, while remote and tone controls simplify everyday listening. The tradeoff: The compact format is better suited to nearfield listening than high-volume playback across a large room.
The Airpulse A100 is the better-sounding pick. ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 4.56 standalone and 7.08 with an ideal subwoofer. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Edifier R1280DB lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Edifier R1280DB lacks. The tradeoff: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight.
Buy the Edifier R1280DB when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Airpulse A100 when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1280DB | Airpulse A100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.99 per pair | $999.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #88 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #34 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 | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 9.2”H x 5.7”W x 7.7”D (233.7 x 144.8 x 195.6 mm) | 6.3” x 11.1” x 10” (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Frequency Response | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Outputs | None | - |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| App | No | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC, aptX |
| EQ | No | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Amplifier Power | 42w RMS Total | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | Yes |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.08 |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 PM 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 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
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- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier R1700BT
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- Edifier R1280DB vs Audioengine HD4
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Airpulse A100: $999.99 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Airpulse A60 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.8/5), the Airpulse A80 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 3.9/5) and the Airpulse A200T (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4/5).
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 4.56 standalone and 7.08 with an ideal subwoofer. The ribbon tweeter and five-inch woofer provide a distinctive compact powered system, with remote control and a subwoofer output simplifying everyday use. Measured bass extension of 63.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.419 shows more local tonal variation than the leading monitors. Rear tone controls are less flexible than parametric EQ or room correction. Neither the ribbon tweeter nor a directivity-index summary establishes uniquely wide or perfectly controlled dispersion. The remote cannot reach the rear bass and treble knobs, and there is no app EQ.
Full Airpulse A100 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| App | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 11.1” x 10” (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| EQ | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.08 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons