Short answer: the Edifier S3000MKII for better sound quality, the Edifier R1280DB for the lower price. The Edifier S3000Pro ranks higher than the Edifier R1280DB (#102 vs #94 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued. Its replacement, the Edifier S3000MKII, is rated 3.9/5 at $999.97; the Edifier R1280DB is rated 3.1/5 at $189.99, $809.98 cheaper.
The case for the Edifier S3000Pro: A large powered pair with digital and analog inputs and tone controls, a complete music system with no separate amplifier needed. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Edifier R1280DB lacks. The catch: The substantial cabinet size requires more space than a typical desktop pair.
What the Edifier R1280DB does well: An inexpensive powered bookshelf pair with Bluetooth, optical and coaxial inputs, a remote and tone controls. Watch for: The compact format is better suited to nearfield listening than high-volume playback across a large room.
Buy the Edifier R1280DB if price matters most. For better sound quality, the Edifier S3000MKII, the replacement for the discontinued Edifier S3000Pro, is rated higher but costs $999.97.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier S3000Pro | Edifier R1280DB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $900 per pair Discontinued | $189.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #102 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #94 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 14.5”H x 9.1”W x 14”D (368.3 x 231.1 x 355.6 mm) | 9.2”H x 5.7”W x 7.7”D (233.7 x 144.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz-20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, XLR, RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax, USB | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Outputs | None | None |
| Drivers | 6.5” (165mm) woofer | 4” (102mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX HD | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 78w RMS Per Speaker | 42w RMS Total |
| Weight | 29.8 lbs (13.5 kg) | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the R1280T driver and cabinet; read from that measurement |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
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