Short answer: the Edifier R1280DB. It ranks #88 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $139.99; the Fluid Audio FX50 V2 ranks #95, rated 2.7/5, and costs $298, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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. The tradeoff: The compact format is better suited to nearfield listening than high-volume playback across a large room.
Why pick the Fluid Audio FX50 V2: The coaxial geometry and mounting provisions allow flexible physical orientation, while balanced inputs and boundary controls suit a compact studio installation. The tradeoff: Scores of 1.80 standalone and 4.42 with an ideal subwoofer indicate poor native tonal accuracy.
Buy the Edifier R1280DB. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Fluid Audio FX50 V2 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1280DB | Fluid Audio FX50 V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.99 per pair | $298 per pair |
| Ranked | #88 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #95 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) | 9.2H x 6.9W x 9.1D in |
| Frequency Response | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 49Hz-22kHz +/-2dB |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | XLR/TRS and RCA |
| Outputs | None | - |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) each |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer | 1-inch silk tweeter coaxially mounted in 5-inch paper woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 42w RMS Total | 90W each |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | - | Active coaxial, front-ported |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 1.80 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 4.42 |
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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 Edifier S1000MKII
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier S1000W
- See all 70 comparisons
Fluid Audio FX50 V2: $298 per pair Fluid Audio eBay
Older model: the Fluid Audio FX50 (ranked higher, rated 2.8/5).
Pros: The coaxial geometry and mounting provisions allow flexible physical orientation, while balanced inputs and boundary controls suit a compact studio installation. Bass reaches -3dB around 67Hz in ASR’s selected measurement.
Cons: Scores of 1.80 standalone and 4.42 with an ideal subwoofer indicate poor native tonal accuracy. Listening-window and predicted-room narrow-band deviations are both around 0.80, showing irregular sound for both the listener and room reflections. Coaxial construction does not guarantee smooth dispersion or neutral reproduction, and correction features should not be credited as a proven fix.
Full Fluid Audio FX50 V2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 90W each |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.2H x 6.9W x 9.1D in |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter coaxially mounted in 5-inch paper woofer |
| Enclosure | Active coaxial, front-ported |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz-22kHz +/-2dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS and RCA |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.80 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.42 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Fluid Audio FX50
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Avantone Pro Active MixCube
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Midiplus MI5 II
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Edifier R1280T
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Edifier R1700BT
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Audioengine HD4
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Edifier S1000MKII
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Edifier R2000DB
- See all 21 comparisons