Short answer: the Edifier R1280T. It ranks #28 of 42 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $129.99; the Audioengine A5+ Classic ranks #33 and costs $399, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Edifier R1280T gets right: ASR’s Klippel-based measurements 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. The catch: On-axis response is jagged rather than neutral, with a woofer resonance around 5kHz and a tweeter peak near 10kHz that also show up in the directivity data.
What the Audioengine A5+ Classic offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows a reasonably flat response outside of the upper bass. Watch for: A valley in the upper bass (200-400Hz) recesses that range, and a distortion peak shows up around 800-900Hz even at 86dB SPL.
Buy the Edifier R1280T. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Audioengine A5+ Classic and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It ranks near the bottom of the 42 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1280T | Audioengine A5+ Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $399 |
| Ranked | #28 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #33 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 9.2"H x 7.7"W x 5.7"D (234 x 196 x 146 mm) | 10.9"H x 7.2"W x 9.7"D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | 2x RCA Input | - |
| Outputs | None | - |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg | 15.4 lbs / 7 kg (left/powered), 9.7 lbs / 4.4 kg (right) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer | 5" Kevlar woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | No | No |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Total | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| DSP | - | No |
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- Edifier R1280DB vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier R1280T: $129.99 Amazon
Pros: ASR’s Klippel-based measurements 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: On-axis response is jagged rather than neutral, with a woofer resonance around 5kHz and a tweeter peak near 10kHz that also show up in the directivity data, making off-axis/room response uneven too - the reviewer’s raw impression was “a bit bass heavy and after a track or two, somewhat bright,” and he recommends EQ correction. Vertical listening window is narrow, so the tweeter needs to be angled toward the ears. Pushed to 96dB SPL the tonal balance shifts noticeably, a sign of compression starting even though the driver doesn’t audibly break up.
Full Edifier R1280T review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9.2"H x 7.7"W x 5.7"D (234 x 196 x 146 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | 2x RCA Input |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Total |
| Outputs | None |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier R1280T vs Edifier S2000MKIII
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- Edifier R1280T vs Edifier R1280DB
- Edifier R1280T vs Edifier S1000MKII
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- Edifier R1280T vs Edifier MR4
- Edifier R1280T vs KRK Classic 5
- Edifier R1280T vs Klipsch The Fives
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Audioengine A5+ Classic: $399
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a reasonably flat response outside of the upper bass. Internal Class AB amplification (50W RMS, 75W peak) with a linear power supply drives a 5” Kevlar woofer and 0.75” tweeter.
Cons: A valley in the upper bass (200-400Hz) recesses that range, and a distortion peak shows up around 800-900Hz even at 86dB SPL. Off-axis response doesn’t track the on-axis curve well through the crossover, suggesting the waveguide isn’t fully optimized. Resonances appear at 900Hz and 4.4kHz.
Full Audioengine A5+ Classic review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9"H x 7.2"W x 9.7"D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" Kevlar woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs / 7 kg (left/powered), 9.7 lbs / 4.4 kg (right) |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Klipsch The Fives
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- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Dynaudio LYD 5
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Kali Audio IN-UNF
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