Short answer: the Topping MA4 for better sound quality, the Edifier R1280DB for the lower price. The Topping MA4 ranks #30 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers at $449. The Edifier R1280DB ranks #31 at $159.98, $289.02 cheaper.
On the Topping MA4 side: Topping’s first loudspeaker, notable for deliberately skipping the DAC and DSP the company built its reputation on. Set against that: On axis deviation measures 0.503dB average, on the rougher side for this catalog, and listening window smoothness sits at a moderate 0.44.
What the Edifier R1280DB offers: 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. The tradeoff: 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 Topping MA4 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Edifier R1280DB if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Topping MA4 | Edifier R1280DB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 449 EUR/pair | $159.98 |
| Ranked | #30 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #31 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | 1" soft dome tweeter with waveguide, 4" paper cone woofer | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| Dimensions | 10"H x 5.5"W x 11.3"D (255 x 140 x 288 mm) (10.04 x 5.51 x 11.34 in) | 9.2"H x 5.7"W x 7.7"D (233.7 x 144.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Weight | 8.3 lbs / 3.78 kg (8.33 lbs) each | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
| Power Output (Watts) | 75W total (50W woofer, 25W tweeter, Class D) | - |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz-20kHz +/-3dB | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the same driver/cabinet platform as the R1280T; read from that thread’s chart |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the same driver/cabinet platform as the R1280T; read from that thread’s chart |
| Max SPL | 105dB @ 1m | - |
| Sensitivity | 92dB | - |
| Crossover Points | 1.3kHz | - |
| Warranty | 1-2 years (varies by region) | - |
| Country | China | - |
| Inputs | - | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Outputs | - | None |
| App | - | No |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
| Output Power | - | 42w RMS Total |
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- Edifier R1700BT vs Edifier R2000DB
- Edifier R2000DB vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Edifier R2000DB vs Neumi BS5P
- Edifier MR4 vs Topping MA4
- Topping MA4 vs Edifier R1280T
The Two Speakers In Full
Topping MA4: 449 EUR/pair Audiophonics
Pros: Topping’s first loudspeaker, notable for deliberately skipping the DAC and DSP the company built its reputation on. A single balanced XLR input feeds a fully analog crossover, which Topping argues keeps the signal path free of extra conversion stages. The bass alignment measures a low Q of 0.452, rolling off cleanly rather than peaking, and extension reaches 49.8Hz at -3dB for a compact 4 inch two way, at a genuinely low price.
Cons: On axis deviation measures 0.503dB average, on the rougher side for this catalog, and listening window smoothness sits at a moderate 0.44. No USB, Bluetooth, or digital input of any kind, an unusual limitation from a DAC company and a real constraint if you want a simple all in one desktop setup. This is Topping’s first speaker with no track record in the category, and current US retail availability is limited, most confirmed stock is through European or Indian resellers.
Full Topping MA4 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Country | China |
| Crossover Points | 1.3kHz |
| Dimensions | 10"H x 5.5"W x 11.3"D (255 x 140 x 288 mm) (10.04 x 5.51 x 11.34 in) |
| Drivers | 1" soft dome tweeter with waveguide, 4" paper cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz-20kHz +/-3dB |
| Max SPL | 105dB @ 1m |
| Power Output (Watts) | 75W total (50W woofer, 25W tweeter, Class D) |
| Sensitivity | 92dB |
| Warranty | 1-2 years (varies by region) |
| Weight | 8.3 lbs / 3.78 kg (8.33 lbs) each |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head 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
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier R1280DB vs Edifier R1700BT Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier R1280DBs vs Edifier R1700BTs Sound Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1280DBs sound.DEMO
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Edifier R1280DB Review
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