Short answer: the Edifier R1280DB. It ranks #25 of 42 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $159.98; the Edifier S1000MKII ranks #31 and costs $499.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Edifier R1280DB: 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. The tradeoff: 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.
On the Edifier S1000MKII side: High resolution digital input up to 192khz/24bit. Set against that: No independent measurements exist - reviews are limited to informal YouTube sound-comparison videos.
Buy the Edifier R1280DB. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Edifier S1000MKII and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1280DB | Edifier S1000MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.98 | $499.99 |
| Ranked | #25 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #31 of 42 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) | 13.6"H x 7.6"W x 11.6"D (345.4 x 193 x 294.6 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Outputs | None | None |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg | 37 lbs / 16.8 kg |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer | 5.5" (140mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Total | 60w RMS Per Speaker |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Edifier S1000W vs Presonus Eris E5
- Edifier S1000W vs JBL One Series 104
- Edifier R1280T vs Edifier S1000W
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Edifier MR4 vs Edifier S1000MKII
The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier R1280DB: $159.98 Amazon
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier R1280DB vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier MR4
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier R1280T
- Edifier R1280DB vs KRK Classic 5
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Edifier R1280DB vs KEF LSX II LT
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier S1000W
- Edifier R1280DB vs Presonus Eris E5
- See all 27 comparisons
Edifier S1000MKII: $499.99 Amazon
Pros: High resolution digital input up to 192khz/24bit. Very close to the S2000MKIII, almost no reason to pay more
Cons: No independent measurements exist - reviews are limited to informal YouTube sound-comparison videos. As one of Edifier’s warmer-tuned lifestyle HiFi speakers, it isn’t voiced for the flat, neutral response of a measurement-verified monitor.
Full Edifier S1000MKII review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 13.6"H x 7.6"W x 11.6"D (345.4 x 193 x 294.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5" (140mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Output Power | 60w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | None |
| Weight | 37 lbs / 16.8 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S1000W
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Klipsch The Fives
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier R1280T
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier R2000DB
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Dynaudio LYD 5
- See all 20 comparisons