Short answer: the Edifier R1280T. It ranks #61 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $149.99; the Fluid Audio FX50 V2 ranks #64, rated 2.7/5, at $149. The price gap is small enough that the sound-quality ranking should decide it.
The case for the Fluid Audio FX50 V2: The coaxial geometry and mounting provisions allow flexible physical orientation, while balanced inputs and boundary controls suit a compact studio installation. Watch for: Scores of 1.80 standalone and 4.42 with an ideal subwoofer indicate poor native tonal accuracy.
Why pick the Edifier R1280T: ASR’s review found useful moderate-level bass output from an inexpensive powered pair. The tradeoff: Preference scores of 2.41 standalone and 5.02 with an ideal subwoofer reflect substantial tonal limitations, not just missing bass.
Buy the Edifier R1280T. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $0.99 with the Fluid Audio FX50 V2 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Fluid Audio FX50 V2 | Edifier R1280T | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $298 per pair | $149.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #64 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #61 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Active coaxial, front-ported | - |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter coaxially mounted in 5-inch paper woofer | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz-22kHz +/-2dB | 52Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 90W each | 42w RMS Total |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB | - |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS and RCA | 2x RCA Input |
| Dimensions | 9.2H x 6.9W x 9.1D in | 9.2"H x 7.7"W x 5.7"D (234 x 196 x 146 mm) |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) each | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.80 | 2.41 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.42 | 5.02 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Outputs | - | None |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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
Fluid Audio FX50 V2: $298 per pair Fluid Audio eBay
Pros: The coaxial geometry and mounting provisions allow flexible physical orientation, while balanced inputs and boundary controls suit a compact studio installation. Bass reaches -3dB around 67Hz in ASR’s selected measurement.
Cons: Scores of 1.80 standalone and 4.42 with an ideal subwoofer indicate poor native tonal accuracy. Listening-window and predicted-room narrow-band deviations are both around 0.80, showing irregular sound for both the listener and room reflections. Coaxial construction does not guarantee smooth dispersion or neutral reproduction, and correction features should not be credited as a proven fix.
Full Fluid Audio FX50 V2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 90W each |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.2H x 6.9W x 9.1D in |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter coaxially mounted in 5-inch paper woofer |
| Enclosure | Active coaxial, front-ported |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz-22kHz +/-2dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS and RCA |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.80 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.42 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Edifier R1280T: $149.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: ASR’s review found useful moderate-level bass output from an inexpensive powered pair. Remote volume and bass/treble controls make it easy to use without separate amplification. Measured bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz. Measured bass extension of 80Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Preference scores of 2.41 standalone and 5.02 with an ideal subwoofer reflect substantial tonal limitations, not just missing bass. The response spans 5.5dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.650. Resonances and treble unevenness affect reflected sound too. Listening height is important, and high-level compression changes the balance.
Full Edifier R1280T review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 42w RMS Total |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | 2x RCA Input |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | None |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.41 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.02 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons