Short answer: the Edifier R1280DB for better sound quality, the M-Audio BX5 D3 for the lower price. The Edifier R1280DB ranks #35 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $159.98. The M-Audio BX5 D3 ranks #49 at $149.50, $10.48 cheaper.
What the Edifier R1280DB offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the M-Audio BX5 D3 offers: A 100W bi-amplified 5-inch monitor with balanced XLR/TRS inputs and acoustic-space control. The local Spinorama snapshot scores 3.34 raw and 5.94 with a subwoofer, with 58Hz measured extension. Watch for: Rear ports require boundary clearance, and there is no digital input, Bluetooth or automatic calibration. Sold individually, so level matching and cabling are handled per speaker.
Buy the Edifier R1280DB if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the M-Audio BX5 D3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the M-Audio BX5 D3. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1280DB | M-Audio BX5 D3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.98 | $149.50 each |
| Ranked | #35 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #49 of 64 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) | 10H x 6.9W x 7.8D in |
| Frequency Response | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz-35kHz |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | XLR and TRS |
| Outputs | None | - |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg | 12.3 lbs each |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch Kevlar woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Total | - |
| Enclosure | - | Active 2-way, rear-ported |
| Power Output | - | 100W each |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Edifier R1700BT
- Edifier R1700BT vs JBL One Series 104
- Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1700BT
- Edifier R1280DB vs Neumi BS5P
- Edifier R1280DB vs M-Audio BX4 D3
Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 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: $159.98 Amazon eBay
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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- 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
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Edifier R1280DB Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier R1280T
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- Edifier R1280DB vs Sigberg Audio SBS.1
- Edifier R1280DB vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Edifier R1280DB vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- Edifier R1280DB vs Presonus Eris E5
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier MR4
- See all 63 comparisons
M-Audio BX5 D3: $149.50 each Amazon eBay
Pros: A 100W bi-amplified 5-inch monitor with balanced XLR/TRS inputs and acoustic-space control. The local Spinorama snapshot scores 3.34 raw and 5.94 with a subwoofer, with 58Hz measured extension.
Cons: Rear ports require boundary clearance, and there is no digital input, Bluetooth or automatic calibration. Sold individually, so level matching and cabling are handled per speaker.
Full M-Audio BX5 D3 review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 10H x 6.9W x 7.8D in |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | Active 2-way, rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz-35kHz |
| Inputs | XLR and TRS |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB |
| Power Output | 100W each |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons