Short answer: the KRK Rokit 5 G4 for better sound quality, the Edifier R1280T for the lower price. The KRK Rokit 5 G4 ranks #14 of 42 powered bookshelf speakers at $337. The Edifier R1280T ranks #28 at $129.99, $207.01 cheaper.
What the KRK Rokit 5 G4 offers: Deeper bass than the HS5. Watch for: Not quite as detailed as the HS5, not as good for mixing.
The case for the Edifier R1280T: ASR’s Klippel-based measurements 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. The tradeoff: On-axis response is jagged rather than neutral, with a woofer resonance around 5kHz and a tweeter peak near 10kHz that also show up in the directivity data.
Buy the KRK Rokit 5 G4 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Edifier R1280T if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| KRK Rokit 5 G4 | Edifier R1280T | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $337 | $129.99 |
| Ranked | #14 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 7.5"W x 9.5"D (284.5 x 190.5 x 241.3 mm) | 9.2"H x 7.7"W x 5.7"D (234 x 196 x 146 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS/XLR | 2x RCA Input |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg each | 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 | 55w Per Speaker | 42w RMS Total |
| Outputs | - | None |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL 305P MKII vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Edifier R1280DB
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs Presonus Eris E5
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs Edifier R1280DB
The Two Speakers In Full
KRK Rokit 5 G4: $337 Amazon
Pros: Deeper bass than the HS5. Good horizontal directivity - the small woofer mates well with the waveguided tweeter. Distortion is quite low at 86dB SPL and scales gradually with volume rather than breaking up suddenly, tweeter hiss is nearly inaudible, and the onboard DSP/app lets you dial in EQ, including for the 680Hz port resonance.
Cons: Not quite as detailed as the HS5, not as good for mixing. A little more hifi sounding
Full KRK Rokit 5 G4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 7.5"W x 9.5"D (284.5 x 190.5 x 241.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS/XLR |
| Output Power | 55w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg each |
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 Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Adam Audio T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 vs KRK Rokit 5 RP5G4 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Yamaha HS5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus E5 XT vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D & KRK Rokit 5 G4 PR5G4 - Same, same, but different Sound & Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Tannoy Gold 5 vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Reddit Search for KRK Rokit 5 G4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs Kali Audio IN-5
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs Yamaha HS5
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs Adam Audio T5V
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs JBL 705P
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs Presonus Eris E5
- See all 19 comparisons
Edifier R1280T: $129.99 Amazon
Pros: ASR’s Klippel-based measurements 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: On-axis response is jagged rather than neutral, with a woofer resonance around 5kHz and a tweeter peak near 10kHz that also show up in the directivity data, making off-axis/room response uneven too - the reviewer’s raw impression was “a bit bass heavy and after a track or two, somewhat bright,” and he recommends EQ correction. Vertical listening window is narrow, so the tweeter needs to be angled toward the ears. Pushed to 96dB SPL the tonal balance shifts noticeably, a sign of compression starting even though the driver doesn’t audibly break up.
Full Edifier R1280T review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9.2"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) |
| Inputs | 2x RCA Input |
| 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 R1280T vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Edifier R1280T vs Edifier S1000W
- Edifier R1280T vs Edifier R1280DB
- Edifier R1280T vs Edifier S1000MKII
- Edifier R1280T vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Edifier R1280T vs Edifier MR4
- Edifier R1280T vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- Edifier R1280T vs KRK Classic 5
- See all 17 comparisons