Short answer: the KEF LSX II LT for its coaxial driver, the Edifier R1280DB if you need to play loud. The KEF’s Uni-Q-style coaxial keeps the tweeter centered in the midrange, but its small drivers make it SPL-limited, with bass compression around 88-92dB/1m per speaker. The R1280DB instead offers excellent bass output and power handling for the price, though it is not as neutral as the Edifier MR4.
What the Edifier R1280DB gets right: Excellent bass output and power handling for the price, not bottoming out or distorting even played loud. The catch: Not quite as neutral sounding as the Edifier MR4.
Buy the Edifier R1280DB when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the KEF LSX II LT when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1280DB | KEF LSX II LT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $189.99 per pair | $749.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #94 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #36 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the R1280T driver and cabinet; read from that measurement | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 46Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 9.2”H x 5.7”W x 7.7”D (233.7 x 144.8 x 195.6 mm) | 9.5”H x 6.1”W x 7.1”D (241.3 x 154.9 x 180.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 54Hz - 28kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | Wifi, USB-C, HDMI, Optical, Bluetooth |
| Outputs | None | RCA Subwoofer |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer | 115mm (4.5in.) magnesium/aluminium alloy cone woofer, 19mm (0.75in.) aluminium dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | - |
| EQ | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 42w RMS Total | 100w RMS Per Speaker |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Sensitivity | - | 84dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.81 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.03 |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
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