Short answer: the Edifier S1000MKII for better sound quality, the Edifier R1280DB for the lower price. The Edifier S1000MKII ranks #57 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 3.3/5, at $499.99. The Edifier R1280DB ranks #61, rated 3.1/5, at $189.99, $310 cheaper.
The case for the Edifier R1280DB: Same drivers and cabinet as the ASR-measured Edifier R1280T (identical 4” woofer, same 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) 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.
Buy the Edifier R1280DB when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Edifier S1000MKII when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1280DB | Edifier S1000MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $189.99 per pair | $499.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #61 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #57 of 68 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) | 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) | 45Hz - 40kHz (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 | Yes, 5.1 | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC, aptX HD |
| EQ | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 42w RMS Total | 60w RMS Per Speaker |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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: $189.99 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, 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| 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 R1700BT
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier R1280T
- Edifier R1280DB vs Audioengine HD4
- Edifier R1280DB vs Midiplus MI5 II
- Edifier R1280DB vs Kali Audio IN-UNF
- Edifier R1280DB vs JBL One Series 104
- Edifier R1280DB vs Fluid Audio FX50 V2
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier S1000W
- See all 70 comparisons
Edifier S1000MKII: $499.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A self-powered stereo pair with optical, coaxial and analog inputs, plus high-resolution digital support, makes source switching unusually simple. Consumer Reports rates its sound accurate and detailed, so it is a strong one-box alternative to separate amplifier-and-speaker systems for nearfield or small-room listening.
Cons: High-resolution input support is not a guarantee of perfect tuning, and the fixed internal amplification prevents the gradual upgrades possible with separates. These are mains-powered speakers rather than portable wireless speakers, and their size and left/right cabling need a planned desktop or stand setup. No independent measurements exist; reviews are limited to informal listening comparisons.
Full Edifier S1000MKII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| 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 |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 40kHz (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 | 37 lbs (16.8 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Kali Audio IN-UNF
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S1000W
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Audioengine HD4
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier R2000DB
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier R1700BT
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Audioengine HD6
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier MR5
- Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier R1280T
- See all 70 comparisons