Short answer: the JBL 705P for accuracy, the Edifier R1280T for budget bass handling. The 705P’s spinorama is flat with excellent directivity, held back only by a likely port-related cancellation around 750Hz and a boosted 1.75kHz crossover on-axis. The R1280T’s Klippel measurements found the woofer handled a demanding bass-heavy track without bottoming out or audible distortion, staying low and inaudible at 86dB SPL, but its on-axis response is jagged with a woofer resonance around 5kHz and a tweeter peak near 10kHz.
Buy the JBL 705P if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Edifier R1280T if the price is the priority over sound quality.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 705P | Edifier R1280T | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1998 per pair | $149.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #32 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #62 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 53.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Dimensions | 10.6”H x 5.9”W x 10.8”D (268 x 151 x 274 mm) | 9.2”H x 7.7”W x 5.7”D (234 x 196 x 146 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver | 4” (102mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) | 42w RMS Total |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.70 | 2.41 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.71 | 5.02 |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) | 2x RCA Input |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Outputs | - | None |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
JBL 705P: $1998 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s data gives bass reaching -3dB around 48Hz and a 6.71 ideal-subwoofer preference score. Its waveguided compression driver and dedicated amplification are suited to studio use, and the broad response trend is close to level. It has useful low-frequency reach for a five-inch monitor. Measured bass extension of 47.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The standalone score is 4.70, and a localized cancellation near 750Hz contributes to the large 7.8dB midrange response span. A crossover-region rise also prevents reference-flat reproduction. An average flat trend does not erase these features, and amplifier wattage is not a measured clean-SPL rating. The data does not support calling it uniformly flat simply because it shares technology with larger JBL models.
Full JBL 705P review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6”H x 5.9”W x 10.8”D (268 x 151 x 274 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.71 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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 63Hz (-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) | 53.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (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
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