Short answer: the KRK Classic 5 for better sound quality, the Edifier R1280DB for the lower price. The KRK Classic 5 ranks #22 of 42 powered bookshelf speakers at $280. The Edifier R1280DB ranks #25 at $159.98, $120.02 cheaper.
What the KRK Classic 5 offers: Good soundstage. Watch for: More hifi than studio monitors.
On the Edifier R1280DB side: Same drivers and cabinet as the ASR-measured Edifier R1280T (identical 4” woofer, same 4.9kg enclosure) plus Bluetooth and digital optical/coax inputs the R1280T doesn’t have. Set against that: Shares the R1280T’s jagged on-axis response rather than a neutral one, with a woofer resonance around 5kHz and a tweeter peak near 10kHz that also show up in the directivity data.
Buy the KRK Classic 5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Edifier R1280DB if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| KRK Classic 5 | Edifier R1280DB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $280 | $159.98 |
| Ranked | #22 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #25 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the same driver/cabinet platform as the R1280T; read from that thread’s chart |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the same driver/cabinet platform as the R1280T; read from that thread’s chart |
| Dimensions | 9.7"H x 7.4"W x 11.2"D (246.4 x 188 x 284.5 mm) | 9.2"H x 5.7"W x 7.7"D (233.7 x 144.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-30KHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, TRS, XLR | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs / 5.87 kg | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker | 42w RMS Total |
| Outputs | - | None |
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The Two Speakers In Full
KRK Classic 5: $280 Amazon
Pros: Good soundstage
Cons: More hifi than studio monitors. Elevated, splashy highs above 4kHz stem from port/woofer resonance glitches, plus directivity error at the crossover dips the upper midrange. Distortion exceeds 100% below 50Hz, and the lack of a waveguide narrows the tweeter’s beam sharply, so toe-in and listening position matter a lot. Not recommended out of the box, but the reviewer said EQ correction turns it into a capable, high-power monitor.
Full KRK Classic 5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9.7"H x 7.4"W x 11.2"D (246.4 x 188 x 284.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-30KHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, TRS, XLR |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs / 5.87 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S2000MKIII sound.DEMO
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- Reddit Search for KRK Classic 5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- KRK Classic 5 vs Edifier MR4
- KRK Classic 5 vs KEF LSX II LT
- KRK Classic 5 vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- KRK Classic 5 vs JBL 705P
- KRK Classic 5 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- KRK Classic 5 vs Edifier R1280T
- KRK Classic 5 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- KRK Classic 5 vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- See all 26 comparisons
Edifier R1280DB: $159.98 Amazon
Pros: Same drivers and cabinet as the ASR-measured Edifier R1280T (identical 4” woofer, same 4.9kg enclosure) plus Bluetooth and digital optical/coax inputs the R1280T doesn’t have. ASR’s measurements of that shared platform 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: Shares the R1280T’s jagged on-axis response rather than a neutral one, with a woofer resonance around 5kHz and a tweeter peak near 10kHz that also show up in the directivity data. The reviewer’s raw impression of that platform was “a bit bass heavy and after a track or two, somewhat bright,” and recommends EQ correction; vertical listening window is narrow, so the tweeter needs to be angled toward the ears. Not quite as neutral sounding as the Edifier MR4.
Full Edifier R1280DB review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the same driver/cabinet platform as the R1280T; read from that thread's chart |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the same driver/cabinet platform as the R1280T; read from that thread's chart |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9.2"H x 5.7"W x 7.7"D (233.7 x 144.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Total |
| Outputs | None |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier R1280DB vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier MR4
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier R1280T
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Edifier R1280DB vs KEF LSX II LT
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier S1000W
- Edifier R1280DB vs Presonus Eris E5
- Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier S1000MKII
- See all 27 comparisons