Short answer: the Edifier R1280DB. It ranks #35 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $159.98; the Midiplus MI5 II ranks #57 and costs $169, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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 Midiplus MI5 II offers: A compact 5-inch powered pair with balanced inputs, Bluetooth and 100W RMS total output. The local Spinorama snapshot measures 49Hz extension and reaches 4.09 with a subwoofer. Watch for: The 1.81 raw preference score reflects notable tonal unevenness, and one powered cabinet drives the other through a proprietary cable. Brand support and US retail availability are thinner than mainstream monitor alternatives.
Buy the Edifier R1280DB. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Midiplus MI5 II and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Midiplus MI5 II. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1280DB | Midiplus MI5 II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.98 | $169/pair |
| Ranked | #35 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #57 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) | 10.1H x 6.7W x 9.4D in |
| Frequency Response | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz-25kHz |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth |
| Outputs | None | - |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg | - |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch fiberglass woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Total | - |
| Enclosure | - | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
| Power Output | - | 100W RMS per pair |
| Maximum SPL | - | 103dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Edifier R1280T vs Edifier R1700BT
- Edifier R1280T vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Adam Audio T5V vs Edifier R1280T
- Edifier R1280DB vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Edifier R1280DB vs Palmer STUDIMON 5
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
- Edifier R1280DB vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier R1280T
- Edifier R1280DB vs Topping MA4
- 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
Midiplus MI5 II: $169/pair eBay
Pros: A compact 5-inch powered pair with balanced inputs, Bluetooth and 100W RMS total output. The local Spinorama snapshot measures 49Hz extension and reaches 4.09 with a subwoofer.
Cons: The 1.81 raw preference score reflects notable tonal unevenness, and one powered cabinet drives the other through a proprietary cable. Brand support and US retail availability are thinner than mainstream monitor alternatives.
Full Midiplus MI5 II review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 10.1H x 6.7W x 9.4D in |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch fiberglass woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-25kHz |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB |
| Power Output | 100W RMS per pair |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Midiplus MI5 II vs KRK Classic 5
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Midiplus MI5 II vs KEF LSX II LT
- Midiplus MI5 II vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Yamaha HS5
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Adam Audio T5V
- Midiplus MI5 II vs JBL 305P MKII
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Kali LP-UNF
- See all 9 comparisons