Short answer: the Edifier R1280T. It ranks #95 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $149.99; the Fluid Audio FX50 V2 ranks #103, rated 2.7/5, and costs $298, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Fluid Audio FX50 V2: A coaxial studio monitor with balanced inputs, boundary controls and flexible mounting for compact installs. Watch for: Scores of 1.80 standalone and 4.42 with an ideal subwoofer indicate poor native tonal accuracy.
The Edifier R1280T is the more accurate pick. A cheap, simple powered bookshelf pair with a remote and bass and treble knobs, no amplifier needed. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 2.41 against 1.80 for the Fluid Audio FX50 V2. The catch: 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 than the Fluid Audio FX50 V2 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Fluid Audio FX50 V2 | Edifier R1280T | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $298 per pair | $149.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #103 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #95 of 108 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) | - | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Outputs | - | None |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
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