Short answer: the Edifier R1280T. It ranks #36 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $129.97; the NHT Pro M-00 ranks #64 and costs $498, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Edifier R1280T offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the NHT Pro M-00 offers: Cast aluminum-zinc alloy enclosure doubles as a heatsink for the built-in discrete Class AB amplifier, and both RCA and XLR/TRS inputs are provided with a near-field/far-field voicing switch. Watch for: Amir identified a critical flaw: a sudden suck-out in the upper bass frequencies that affects many commonly-used notes. Treble peaks on-axis, and vertical-axis performance is particularly problematic. In-room response turns notably bright in rooms with absorptive surfaces. Comparing directly to the JBL 305P Mark II, Amir found the NHT sounded “dead and bright” while the JBL was “balanced” with “rich and warm detail,” concluding, “I would not remotely use the NHT M-00 relative to JBL 305P Mark ii. The difference in overall fidelity and pleasantness is immense.” Long discontinued; not recommended even on the used market.
Buy the Edifier R1280T. It ranks higher for sound quality than the NHT Pro M-00 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the NHT Pro M-00. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier R1280T | NHT Pro M-00 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.97 | $498 pair, discontinued (used market; originally $249 each) |
| Ranked | #36 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #64 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 83.3Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 59.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 9.2"H x 7.7"W x 5.7"D (234 x 196 x 146 mm) | 9H x 5.7W x 7.3D in |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | 2x RCA Input | RCA, XLR/TRS |
| Outputs | None | - |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg | 14 lbs / 6.35 kg each |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer | 1" ferrofluid-cooled fabric dome tweeter, 4.5" treated paper-cone woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | No | - |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Total | 75W RMS continuous, 150W peak (per speaker) |
| DSP | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Edifier R1280DB vs KEF LSX II LT
- Topping MA4 vs Edifier R1280DB
- Edifier R1280DB vs Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus
- Edifier MR4 vs NHT Pro M-00
- JBL One Series 104 vs NHT Pro M-00
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 R1280T: $129.97 Amazon eBay
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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Edifier R1280T vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- Edifier R1280T vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- Edifier R1280T vs Topping MA4
- Edifier R1280T vs Presonus Eris E5
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- Edifier R1280T vs Edifier R2000DB
- Edifier R1280T vs Edifier MR4
- See all 44 comparisons
NHT Pro M-00: $498 pair, discontinued (used market; originally $249 each) eBay
Pros: Cast aluminum-zinc alloy enclosure doubles as a heatsink for the built-in discrete Class AB amplifier, and both RCA and XLR/TRS inputs are provided with a near-field/far-field voicing switch.
Cons: Amir identified a critical flaw: a sudden suck-out in the upper bass frequencies that affects many commonly-used notes. Treble peaks on-axis, and vertical-axis performance is particularly problematic. In-room response turns notably bright in rooms with absorptive surfaces. Comparing directly to the JBL 305P Mark II, Amir found the NHT sounded “dead and bright” while the JBL was “balanced” with “rich and warm detail,” concluding, “I would not remotely use the NHT M-00 relative to JBL 305P Mark ii. The difference in overall fidelity and pleasantness is immense.” Long discontinued; not recommended even on the used market.
Full NHT Pro M-00 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 83.3Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 9H x 5.7W x 7.3D in |
| Drivers | 1" ferrofluid-cooled fabric dome tweeter, 4.5" treated paper-cone woofer |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR/TRS |
| Output Power | 75W RMS continuous, 150W peak (per speaker) |
| Weight | 14 lbs / 6.35 kg each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons