Short answer: the M-Audio BX4 BT. It ranks #86 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $218. The Edifier R1280DBs ranks #96, rated 3.1/5, at $199.99, $18.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Edifier R1280DBs: Adds a subwoofer output and Bluetooth 5.0 to the Edifier R1280DB formula, so it can grow into a 2.1 system later. The tradeoff: It shares its drivers and cabinet with the Edifier R1280T, which measured a preference score of only 2.41 standalone (5.02 with an ideal subwoofer), with bass rolling off near 63Hz and an uneven response.
Why pick the M-Audio BX4 BT: A 4.5” Kevlar woofer and 1” silk tweeter per side with Bluetooth, RCA, 1/4” TRS and a front aux input, based on the M-Audio BX4 D3. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
Buy the M-Audio BX4 BT. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $18.01 saving on the Edifier R1280DBs is not enough to make up the difference.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Edifier R1280DBs 2.9 to 3.3; M-Audio BX4 BT 3.0 to 3.6). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1280DBs | M-Audio BX4 BT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 per pair | $218.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #96 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #86 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| Drivers | 4” mid/bass driver + 0.5” silk dome tweeter (each) | 1x 1” silk dome tweeter, 1x 4.5” Kevlar woofer |
| Amplifier Power | 42W RMS total (21W + 21W) (Manufacturer specified) | 50W RMS total (2x 25W RMS, 120W peak) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) (pair) | 9.8 lbs (4.46 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 5.7”W x 9.2”H x 7.7”D (146 x 234 x 196 mm) | 8.9”H x 6.1”W x 6.9”D (226 x 155 x 175 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 51Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 69Hz - 22kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA line in, Optical, Coaxial; Sub out | RCA, 1/4” TRS, 3.5mm aux, Bluetooth |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| App | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (bass and treble knobs) | - |
| Enclosure | - | MDF, bass reflex |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- M-Audio BX4 BT vs Edifier R1700BT
- M-Audio BX4 BT vs JBL One Series 104-BT
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM 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 R1280DBs: $199.99 per pair Estimated Amazon $199.99 eBay
Pros: Adds a subwoofer output and Bluetooth 5.0 to the Edifier R1280DB formula, so it can grow into a 2.1 system later. Optical, coaxial and two RCA inputs plus a remote make it an easy TV or desktop pair, and bass and treble knobs allow basic tuning.
Cons: It shares its drivers and cabinet with the Edifier R1280T, which measured a preference score of only 2.41 standalone (5.02 with an ideal subwoofer), with bass rolling off near 63Hz and an uneven response. Tiny 0.5 inch tweeters and 21W per side limit how loud and clean it gets in a larger room, and there are no higher quality Bluetooth codecs.
Full Edifier R1280DBs review and specifications →
| Released | 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 42W RMS total (21W + 21W) (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 5.7”W x 9.2”H x 7.7”D (146 x 234 x 196 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” mid/bass driver + 0.5” silk dome tweeter (each) |
| EQ | Yes (bass and treble knobs) |
| Frequency Response | 51Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA line in, Optical, Coaxial; Sub out |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) (pair) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Top Shelf Media: Is This The Best Budget Speaker On The Market? Edifier R1280DBs Review
- DreaTek: Best Budget Speakers? Edifier R1280DBs Bluetooth - Review & Sound Test
- Tech Guided: Edifier R2180T vs R1280Ts vs R1280DB vs R1280DBs
- The Sonic Spectrum: The BEST Budget TV Speakers Edifier 1280DBs Full Review!
- Android Central: Edifier R1280DBs review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
M-Audio BX4 BT: $218.00 per pair Estimated Amazon $218.00 eBay
Same family: the M-Audio BX4 D3 (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5), the M-Audio BX5 D3 (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 3.9/5) and the M-Audio BX8 D3 (larger bookshelf, rated 4/5).
Pros: A 4.5” Kevlar woofer and 1” silk tweeter per side with Bluetooth, RCA, 1/4” TRS and a front aux input, based on the M-Audio BX4 D3.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. Rated only to 69Hz, so bass is light without a subwoofer, and its 25W per side amplifiers are modest.
Full M-Audio BX4 BT review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS total (2x 25W RMS, 120W peak) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Dimensions | 8.9”H x 6.1”W x 6.9”D (226 x 155 x 175 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 1” silk dome tweeter, 1x 4.5” Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | MDF, bass reflex |
| Frequency Response | 69Hz - 22kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, 1/4” TRS, 3.5mm aux, Bluetooth |
| Weight | 9.8 lbs (4.46 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons