Short answer: the Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 on measured sound quality, the Edifier R1280DB on price. The Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 ranks #23 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.2/5, at $18,043.20. The Edifier R1280DB ranks #88, rated 3.1/5, at $139.99, $17,903.21 cheaper.
Why pick the Edifier R1280DB: Optical/coaxial inputs and Bluetooth add practical flexibility over the analog Edifier R1280T, while remote and tone controls simplify everyday listening. Watch for: The compact format is better suited to nearfield listening than high-volume playback across a large room.
The Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. The measured speaker-and-subwoofer system has a 1.7dB midrange response span and a 7.51 ideal-subwoofer preference score, supporting useful tonal accuracy above the bass region. Its bass reaches about 24Hz before falling 3dB, against 63Hz for the Edifier R1280DB. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Edifier R1280DB lacks. The catch: The measured system explicitly includes a subwoofer: its 6.56 full-system score and bass extension must not be attributed to the bookshelf speaker alone.
Buy the Edifier R1280DB if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1280DB | Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.99 per pair | $18,043.20 for the full system (2 speakers + 2 dedicated subwoofers, built to order) |
| Ranked | #88 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #23 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 | 24Hz (measured, spinorama.org, with companion subwoofer) |
| 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) | 16.1”H x 7.5”W x 9.1”D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 26Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB, with subwoofers) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Outputs | None | - |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer | 5.5” midbass, 5.5” coaxial mid/tweeter with 1” silk dome |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | - |
| EQ | No | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| Amplifier Power | 42w RMS Total | 350W per speaker |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | sealed |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| Country | - | Norway |
| Measurement Source | - | Manufacturer |
| Maximum SPL | - | 116dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 6.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.51 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 compares with other leading options:
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- JBL 305P MKII vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- KEF LSX II LT vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
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 Fluid Audio FX50 V2
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier S1000MKII
- See all 70 comparisons
Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2: $18,043.20 for the full system (2 speakers + 2 dedicated subwoofers, built to order) Sigberg Audio eBay
Older model: the Sigberg Audio SBS.1 (ranked lower, rated 4.1/5).
Pros: The measured speaker-and-subwoofer system has a 1.7dB midrange response span and a 7.51 ideal-subwoofer preference score, supporting useful tonal accuracy above the bass region. The measured system reaches -3dB around 34Hz. Onboard parametric EQ and dedicated amplification provide flexible integration for a complete high-performance setup. Measured bass extension of 24Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured system explicitly includes a subwoofer: its 6.56 full-system score and bass extension must not be attributed to the bookshelf speaker alone. It is not directly equivalent to the standalone-monitor tests around it. The complete system is expensive and occupies more space than the main speakers suggest; the score alone does not prove superior output or room performance.
Full Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 350W per speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 24Hz (measured, spinorama.org, with companion subwoofer) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Country | Norway |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 16.1”H x 7.5”W x 9.1”D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5” midbass, 5.5” coaxial mid/tweeter with 1” silk dome |
| EQ | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 26Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB, with subwoofers) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Maximum SPL | 116dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.51 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs JBL 305P MKII
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs KEF LSX II LT
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Adam Audio T5V
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Kali LP-UNF
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Yamaha HS5
- See all 12 comparisons