Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers Review

Do you want to upgrade your sound system without breaking the bank?

Powered bookshelf speakers might be the perfect solution for you. 

Inexpensive and compact, the speakers can be placed in your home, and they can deliver great sound. But which particular one deserves your attention?

Let’s take a plunge at this Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers review to see if it is worth its price.

Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers Review

The R1280T is a set of active powered bookshelf speakers from Edifier. The company first released it in 2015, followed by an upgraded variant called the R1280D in 2017.

The main difference with the upgraded version is that the R1280D has Bluetooth connectivity and optical and coaxial inputs for better device compatibility.

Edifier’s 1280T is reasonably priced for its impressive build quality and neat features. It’s perfect for playing excellent audio from music, gaming, and movies.

Who Is This Product For?

If you’re looking for a pair of moderately priced and compact speakers, you might want to check the Edifier R1280T.

Plenty of users will enjoy the number of inputs available on this device. Unfortunately, it doesn’t cater to those who like using Bluetooth to connect to speakers.

Nevertheless, it’s beginner-friendly as it is almost a plug-and-play device. At the same time, it allows you to configure some settings, such as the bass and treble controls.

For this low-cost speaker set, you can enjoy premium audio quality from a device with a solid build design.

What’s Included?

Out of the box, you’ll get two stereo speakers, each measuring 6.9 x 9.5 x 5.8 inches and both weighing a total of 10.8 lbs.

The size of the Edifier 1280T is smaller than the average bookshelf speaker set but bigger than typical desktop speakers.

While it doesn’t have wireless Bluetooth connectivity, it has several wired inputs you can use to connect to various sound input sources, 

The box includes an 8-foot speaker wire, an RCA to RCA cable, an RCA to AUX cable, a remote control, and a product guide.

Check out this unboxing video to see whether these items fit your requirements.

Overview of the Features

The Edifier R1280T speaker unit has some pleasant qualities that give a great audio experience while not breaking the bank.

Here are the features you need to know before adding the R1280T to your next purchase:

• Desk Space

It’s moderately sized, so you need to allot some space on your desk to have room for this device.

The good thing with these speakers is that they have rubber feet at the bottom. These accessories firmly set the speakers in place, preventing them from sliding due to sound vibrations.

On the other hand, you can opt to buy desktop-raised speaker stands for the Edifier R1280 Series. 

• Wood Veneer Design

The Edifier R1280T has a Wood Veneer paneling that is aesthetically pleasing, and the design fits most desktop setups.

The top, front, and back have a metallic matte finish that blends nicely with the classical wooden sides.

• Grills

The grills attach through easily detachable fasteners in the front panel.

Compared to other designs with magnetic grills, the four fasteners at the corners of each speaker might make them look less appealing.

Some might enjoy the look with grills on, while others might prefer the naked face of the speakers.

• Drivers

Underneath the detachable grills are two frequency drivers and a tubular bass port to enhance the audio output.

The woofer is 4 inches in size with a 13 mm silk dome tweeter right above it.

• Customization

On the left active speaker is an LED indicator for the power and three knobs for the volume, bass, and treble.

The knobs of the bass and treble have level indicators ranging from -6dB to +4dB.

Unfortunately, the remote only has a power on/off, mute, volume level, and a surround stage option button. It doesn’t have options for changing the bass and treble.

• Input

On the back panel of the active bookshelf speaker are two RCA inputs: one for RCA to RCA and the other for RCA to AUX.

The dual RCA inputs allow you to connect your speakers to a television, computer, phone, or other compatible devices.

A bummer with these speakers is that they don’t have Bluetooth support, but you can still use the AUX port to connect your device.

• Speaker Clips

Spring-loaded speaker clips allow an easy connection between the passive and active speaker using the 8-foot speaker cable.

While it is better to have binding posts that offer more durability than clips, spring-loaded clips are not so bad, given the set’s purchase price.

• Power

At the bottom of the left speaker’s back panel is the ON and OFF power switch, along with an active subwoofer out port.

You must consider taking care of the power cord as it is hard-wired into the speakers.

• Audio Performance

The default audio setting results in a flat response. The good thing is that you can adjust the treble and bass dials at the side.

It has a frequency range of 75 Hz to 18kHz, optimal for moderate volumes and maintaining a full and crisp sound quality.

Cranking up the volume knob might create a distorted and muddy sound, and it doesn’t fill a big room given its 42W design.

While it already produces a high-quality output, you can add an external active subwoofer to add a rich and balanced sound signature.

How to Install

Aside from the product and its accessories, you’ll receive a guide containing the product description and installation instructions.

Nevertheless, you might want to know how to set it up before finally making the purchase. Here’s what you’ll have to do:

Step 1: Position the speakers.

Choose a suitable spot for the speakers.

If you opt to place them on a desk with your input source, position them with enough space and distance. Doing so ensures they can deliver optimum sound quality.

Step 2: Assemble all connections.

Using the wire clips at the back panels, attach the speaker wires to connect the right and left units.

Depending on your choice, you can use the RCA to RCA or RCA to aux input to plug in your input device.

Step 3: Start sound testing.

Once that’s done, you can start listening to music from your Edifier R1280T speakers.

Use the infrared remote to turn the units on and adjust the volume.

To change the bass and treble, you must manually configure it using the knobs at the side of the active speaker.

Step 4: Customize as desired.

You can add an external subwoofer using the sub port at the back panel if you wish to improve your audio experience further.

Also, depending on your preference, you can easily remove the grills using the fasteners at the front of the speakers.

Alternatives

We’ve listed everything there is to know about this product, and you probably have an idea if it ticks all the checkboxes.

If you find that the Edifier R1280T speakers are not the right fit for you, here are some alternatives that you can explore:

1. Polk Audio T15

The Polk Audio T15 is similar in price to the Edifier R1280T, but it fares well in some categories.

In terms of its build, the T15 has gold-plated binding posts to link the units using the speaker wires easily.

These binding posts offer more durability than the cheap-looking plastic clips from the Edifier speakers.

In addition, these speakers support wall-mounting from the screw slots in the back, enabling you to avoid using up valuable deskspace.

In terms of its looks, it has a black wood-grain texture which fits most modern desk setups.

Similar to the Edifier R1280T, the Polk Audio has a removable front grill cover using four fasteners.

It has a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter and a 5.25-inch dynamic balance woofer with a uniquely different output than the Edifier.

The frequency range is also better on the Polk Audio, as it has an overall frequency of 60Hz to 24kHz. 

Another feature that Polk Audio boasts is its magnetic shielding feature, which prevents any signal interference from wires or other nearby devices.

While it shines on those aspects, the Polk Audio is only a set of passive speakers, so you need to use an amplifier.

It also doesn’t come with additional cables, such as the two RCA wires and speaker wires included in the Edifier R1280T.

Additionally, the Polk Audio doesn’t have a remote control that the Edifier has for convenience.

In summary, you can purchase the Polk Audio if you intend to use it solely as a budget home theater bookshelf speaker.

2. PreSonus Eris E3.5 BT

The PreSonus Eris E3.5 BT is an excellent alternative to the Edifier if you want rich, studio-quality audio in your setup.

In terms of build quality, the Eris E3.5 BT doesn’t have grill covers to protect the frequency drivers.

While it reduces your choice to a naked front speaker view, it means that there are no ugly fastener holes compared to the Edifier.

It’s also more compact, with small dimensions of 6.4 x 5.6 x 8.3 inches, allowing more room on your desk.

The Eris E3.5 BT has a vinyl matte black design, showing off a premium, high-quality look.

Unlike the Edifier, this speaker set has a rear acoustic port that enhances the tight and clean bass output.

Of course, you’d want to have the controls within reach, which is what PreSonus gives.

The volume knob, auxiliary input, power switch, and headphone input are at the front of the active speaker.

An even better feature of the Eris E3.5 BT is its Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. Most users would love this feature as they can avoid wire clutter in their desks. 

You would have many adjustable options at the back panel, such as balanced TRS inputs, RCA inputs, and a stereo wire connection.

There are also acoustic tuning knobs for high and low frequencies, allowing you to customize your listening experience depending on the environment.

In terms of performance, it has a frequency range of 80Hz to 20kHz, with a 1-inch silk dome tweeter and 3.5-inch Kevlar woofer.

Compared to the Edifier, these small speakers have a wide soundstage, and it doesn’t create distortion when used at high volumes.

One downside of the Eris E3.5BT is that it will cost you more compared to the Edifier R1280T.

3. Monoprice DT-3

If you want to save up a few more bucks while still having a similar audio experience, then the Monoprice DT-3 is the best option.

In terms of its design, the Monoprice DT-3 has a minimalistic design from its compact build and tapered MDF cabinet.

Conveniently, these speakers have a stereo input, a headphone jack, and a volume knob at the front for easy access.

The back panel has RCA ports, balanced TRA jacks, and speaker clips, allowing versatility in plugging your devices.

We would also like to mention that they offer performance in sound quality.

It has a frequency response of 75Hz to 20kHz with a 50W Class AB built-in amplifier that delivers a loud output despite its size.

The Monoprice DT-3 offers a bit more than its price tag, so it’s a good option if you really want to save some cash.

Should You Buy The Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers?

We’ve found out in our Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers review that this stereo pair punches well above its price range.

You’ll have a great listening experience since it delivers a smooth sound while having an aesthetically pleasing build.

If you think its lack of Bluetooth is a deal-breaker, you can opt for the upgraded version, the 1280D from Edifier.

Otherwise, you can check out the alternatives we’ve listed and compare which of the affordable PC speakers fits your needs.