Short answer: the Reflector Audio Square Two for better sound quality, the Edifier R1280DB for the lower price. The Reflector Audio Square Two ranks #26 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $6499. The Edifier R1280DB ranks #35 at $159.98, $6339.02 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 Reflector Audio Square Two offers: An exceptionally flat on-axis deviation of just 0.10dB from a coaxial horn design (four 5” woofers around a compression-driver tweeter) giving nominal 60x60 degree directivity from a compact 32cm cube, with a well-damped bass-alignment Q of 1.31. Sound on Sound’s review praised its detailed, neutral sound that stays phase-coherent with no appreciable latency. Watch for: A directivity-index standard deviation of 4.90, well above the 3-4 range typical of most monitors this size, reflects the narrow, symmetric horn pattern that Sound on Sound and ASR forum members flagged as double-edged, helpful in some rooms but limiting the sweet spot in others. Predicted in-room smoothness (0.49) is only middling, not matching the excellent on-axis figure. It’s a low-volume Latvian product with no published warranty term found anywhere.
Buy the Edifier R1280DB if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Reflector Audio Square Two if sound quality matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1280DB | Reflector Audio Square Two | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.98 | $6,499/pair |
| Ranked | #35 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #26 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) | 12.6"W x 13.6"H x 12.8"D (320 x 345 x 325 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz-26kHz (-6dB) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | Analogue XLR/RCA, AES digital XLR, S/PDIF, TOSLINK optical |
| Outputs | None | - |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg | 42.8 lbs / 19.4 kg (42.8 lbs) each |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer | 4x 5" woofers, 1x horn-loaded compression driver (ring diaphragm) |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Total | - |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way active coaxial horn monitor, bass-reflex (convertible to sealed) |
| Power Output | - | 250W to woofers, 100W to compression driver (Hypex Class-D) |
| Max SPL | - | 118dB @ 1m (EIA-426B, single monitor) |
| Country | - | Made in Latvia |
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- Edifier R1280T vs Genelec 8331A
- Adam Audio T5V vs Reflector Audio Square Two
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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
- 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
Reflector Audio Square Two: $6,499/pair Monheim Microphones eBay
Pros: An exceptionally flat on-axis deviation of just 0.10dB from a coaxial horn design (four 5” woofers around a compression-driver tweeter) giving nominal 60x60 degree directivity from a compact 32cm cube, with a well-damped bass-alignment Q of 1.31. Sound on Sound’s review praised its detailed, neutral sound that stays phase-coherent with no appreciable latency.
Cons: A directivity-index standard deviation of 4.90, well above the 3-4 range typical of most monitors this size, reflects the narrow, symmetric horn pattern that Sound on Sound and ASR forum members flagged as double-edged, helpful in some rooms but limiting the sweet spot in others. Predicted in-room smoothness (0.49) is only middling, not matching the excellent on-axis figure. It’s a low-volume Latvian product with no published warranty term found anywhere.
Full Reflector Audio Square Two review and specifications →
| Country | Made in Latvia |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.6"W x 13.6"H x 12.8"D (320 x 345 x 325 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 5" woofers, 1x horn-loaded compression driver (ring diaphragm) |
| Enclosure | 2-way active coaxial horn monitor, bass-reflex (convertible to sealed) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz-26kHz (-6dB) |
| Inputs | Analogue XLR/RCA, AES digital XLR, S/PDIF, TOSLINK optical |
| Max SPL | 118dB @ 1m (EIA-426B, single monitor) |
| Power Output | 250W to woofers, 100W to compression driver (Hypex Class-D) |
| Weight | 42.8 lbs / 19.4 kg (42.8 lbs) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Reflector Audio Square Two vs KEF LSX II LT
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- Reflector Audio Square Two vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Reflector Audio Square Two vs Yamaha HS5
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