Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers Review

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Have you ever been listening to your favorite music on a cheap, low-quality speaker and thought, “There must be something better out there?”

As people who love great sound, we know the feeling. That’s why we’re excited to introduce you to the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers—a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on quality.

In this detailed review of the Edifier R1280T speakers, we’ll dive into the design, sound quality, and technical specifications of these speakers to help you decide if they’re the right fit for you. But before we get to the speakers, let’s talk a bit about the brand.

The Edifier brand

Edifier is a brand that’s been around since 1996. Founded in Beijing, China, they specialize in producing high-quality audio equipment at affordable prices, with a focus on innovation and design. Edifier has built a reputation for creating products that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, making them a popular choice for consumers around the world.

Edifier’s commitment to quality has earned them several awards and accolades, including the Red Dot Design Award, the iF Design Award, and the CES Innovation Award. They’ve also partnered with well-known brands like THX, Dolby, and Airpulse to further enhance their products’ sound quality.

Overall, Edifier’s long-standing presence in the audio industry and their dedication to producing affordable, high-quality products have cemented their reputation as a reliable and reputable brand.

Price

You’re probably anxious to hear about the price of the Edifier R1280T speakers. Currently selling for around $120 on Amazon, these speakers are a good value considering the features and quality they offer. 

Many customers have praised the value they get for their money with these speakers. Some have even compared the sound quality to speakers that are much more expensive.

Compared to other bookshelf speakers in this price range, the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers definitely hold their own. In fact, it easily makes our list of the top 10 best bookshelf speakers under $500. So if the price tag of $120 isn’t too high to put you off, let’s move on to the design and build.

Design and build quality

The next factor we’ll cover in this review of the Edifier R1280T is design and build quality. 

The quality of materials and construction can impact the overall sound quality and lifespan of the speaker. A well-built speaker with high-quality materials can produce better sound and last longer. Whereas a poorly constructed speaker with subpar materials may have a shorter lifespan and lower sound quality. A speaker’s design and appearance can also factor into how well it fits in with your own aesthetic preferences and home decor.

The Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers have a wooden enclosure that gives the speakers a warm, natural look and feel, while the metal grilles help protect the drivers. The build quality is solid and durable.

The front panel of the speakers features knobs for adjusting the volume, bass, and treble, as well as a switch for toggling between the two input options. The knobs have a smooth and precise feel to them, making it easy to find the perfect sound balance. On the back of the speakers, you’ll find the inputs, as well as the power switch and power cable input.

The combination of high-quality materials, thoughtful design, and attention to detail make these speakers look and feel like they belong in a higher price range.

Sound quality

Let’s dive into the most crucial aspect of any speaker review—the sound quality. The Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers have a frequency response of 75Hz-18kHz and a sensitivity of 85dB. This basically means you can expect a clear, detailed sound across a range of frequencies.

The R1280T’s have a well-balanced sound signature with a decent amount of bass response. They produce clear and crisp highs. And the mid-range is well-presented, which is essential for vocal clarity—especially important in music and movies where dialogue and vocals are a crucial part of the experience. The bass response is punchy and not too overpowering, making it suitable for most music genres.

One notable downside of the Edifier R1280T speakers is that they may not be suitable for larger rooms. Some users have reported that the speakers lack the volume needed to fill larger spaces with sound. Also, some customer reviews have pointed out that the speakers may not be great for listening at high volumes.

Technical specifications and their significance

Next up for this Edifier R1280T review we’ll cover the detailed technical specifications of the speakers. We get that it’s not always obvious how to appraise the different specs. So we’ll cover what they are, as well as what they mean for your listening experience.

Power rating (wattage)

The Edifier R1280Ts have a power rating of 42 watts RMS, with a peak power output of 74 watts. They can handle up to 42 watts of power without distortion. This is a good indication of their ability to handle high volume levels without damaging the speakers. Note: the actual loudness of the speakers will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of the room and the type of music you’re playing.

For comparison, the slightly lower priced Micca MB42X bookshelf speakers have a slightly better power rating of 75 watts RMS.

Driver size

The R1280Ts feature a 4-inch bass driver and a 13mm silk dome tweeter. The bass driver is responsible for handling the lower frequencies, while the tweeter takes care of the higher frequencies. The use of a silk dome tweeter helps deliver clear, detailed sound, while the bass driver produces a well-balanced bass response. The use of a 4-inch driver is common for bookshelf speakers in this price range, and it provides a balanced sound for most listening situations. 

For comparison, the Dayton Audio B652-AIR bookshelf speakers are currently about half the price of the Edifier R1280Ts and feature a larger 6.5-inch woofer. Those speakers may provide better bass response but may not be as well-balanced as the Edifier R1280T speakers.

Frequency response

The Edifier R1280T speakers have a frequency response range of 75Hz to 18kHz, which means they can reproduce a wide range of frequencies. The lower end of the range (75Hz) represents the bass frequencies, while the upper end (18kHz) represents the treble frequencies. While the frequency response range may not be as wide as some other speakers, the R1280Ts do have a fairly well-balanced sound.

The Polk Audio T15 speakers, by comparison, currently cost $20-30 more than the R1280Ts but have a frequency response range of 60Hz to 24kHz, which provides a wider range of frequencies and better bass response.

Sensitivity rating

Sensitivity rating is a measure of how efficiently the speakers convert power into sound. The Edifier R1280T bookshelf speakers have a sensitivity rating of 85dB, which is slightly lower than some comparable speakers in this price range, such as the Micca MB42X speakers with a sensitivity rating of 85dB and the Polk Audio T15 speakers with a sensitivity rating of 89dB. 

A higher sensitivity rating typically means the speakers can produce more volume with less power input, making them more energy efficient. But the R1280T’s slightly lower sensitivity rating is unlikely to have a significant impact on its performance, especially when used in a smaller room or at moderate volume levels.

The Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers generally have strong specs for their price point. And you can’t really go wrong with these if you’re looking for a budget-friendly speaker that doesn’t compromise on sound quality.

Manufacturer’s warranty

A manufacturer’s warranty can be a nice feature for a new set of speakers to ensure you’re covered in case anything goes wrong with them.

According to the Edifier website, the R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers come with a two-year limited warranty. This warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship under normal use for a period of two years from the date of original purchase. If the product is found to be defective during this time, Edifier will either repair or replace the product, at their discretion, free of charge.

Note: the warranty does NOT cover damage resulting from improper use, accidents, or unauthorized modifications. And the warranty is only valid for products purchased from authorized Edifier retailers. You may need to provide proof of purchase to make a warranty claim.

Overall, the two-year warranty provided by Edifier is a standard warranty for powered bookshelf speakers in this price range. And it gives you reasonable protection against manufacturing defects.

Pros and cons of the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers

Now that we’ve covered the details in this Edifier R1280T review, let’s summarize the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Decent sound quality: The Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers produce clear and crisp audio across all frequencies, making them suitable for a wide range of music genres and sound effects.
• Affordable price: Compared to other bookshelf speakers in its class, the R1280T is reasonably priced, making it a good value for money.
• Multiple inputs: The R1280T features two sets of RCA inputs and a 3.5mm jack, so you can use multiple devices simultaneously, such as a PC, turntable, or smartphone.
• Convenient remote control: The included remote control lets you adjust the volume, bass, and treble… remotely, making it easy to use the speakers without having to get up from your sofa.

Cons:

• No Bluetooth connectivity: The R1280T doesn’t support Bluetooth connectivity. If you prefer wireless audio streaming, check out the slightly more expensive Edifier R1280DBs.
• Limited bass response: Although the speakers produce clean and detailed sound, they may lack the deep and powerful bass that some listeners prefer. You might want to pick up a subwoofer separately if you need heavier bass.

The bottom line: are the Edifier R1280Ts your ideal bookshelf speakers?

Now that we’ve reviewed the features, technical spec, and overall performance of the Edifier R1280Ts, it’s safe to say these are a decent choice if you’re prioritizing good sound quality and an affordable price. The speakers are compact and will give you a clear and detailed sound with a decent bass response.

Their power output is on the lower side compared to similarly priced models. And they’re bass could be a bit more powerful. But the R1280Ts are quite balanced, so that no one frequency range dominates the overall sound. This typically gives you a sound that is more natural and accurate, rather than being overly bass- or treble-heavy.

If you’re in the market for an affordable set of bookshelf speakers that deliver a clear and balanced sound—and if you can live without heavy bass—then the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers are definitely worth considering.