Edifier R1280DBs Active Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers - Optical Input - 2.0 Wireless Studio Monitor Speaker - 42W RMS with Subwoofer Line Out - Wood Grain

This review is for the Edifier R1280DBs Active Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers (ASIN: B08865JM4N).Before I jump into my review, let me offer this bit of information that I didn't know and isn't obvious. There are two versions of this speaker, both have the exact same model number, the Edifier R1280DB. One is a newer generation and you can tell by looking for "2.0" in the description or you can search on the ASIN above. The ASIN for the older model is B0719C132V and this model is typically a bit cheaper. The differences that I noticed (and not necessarily a complete list) is upgraded Bluetooth for the newer one, a subwoofer output and a different remote control.I took the time to read many of the reviews and a couple of things show up fairly often. One is Bluetooth connectivity being touch and go for some reviewers. It is possible this is related to the older version of Bluetooth in the older model. So far, I have not had any issues. I paired and connected a tablet to the speakers and the connection has been nailed up for about a week with no disconnects. Another thing I saw in reviews were comments about the overall loudness or volume of this speaker. You can expect this speaker to provide an adequate but not overwhelming amount of sound for a modest sized room. Think in terms of a bedroom, kitchen or modest sized living room. This is NOT a party speaker that will rock out a couple of dozen people at a big party. Not that loud. Furthermore, the amount of sound is also related to how you get the signal to the speakers. For example, I have a couple different mini-MP3 players and all of them use Bluetooth to connect. Even with the volume turned all the way up on each device and the speakers, the variation in volume from the speakers is considerable. If you find the volume too low, you might try a different device, particularly with Bluetooth. Finally, there have been some reviews that comment on the lack of bass or low end. I thought I had the same issue but in my case, it turned out to be the source material, not the speakers. With proper source material the low end is really quite impressive and if it isn't there may be something wrong with the speakers and you should consider returning them. Keep in mind these speakers claim a two year warranty (very nice in this world of 30 DAY warranties!!!).I've owned and operated a recording studio for over 40 years. Had the good fortune to work with a number of top of the line studio monitors in that time, some that were ridiculously expensive (like $40,000 for a pair!!! And no, I didn't buy them, someone else did!). Now don't get too excited...while these are fantastic sounding speakers, they are NOT studio monitors. That's actually a good thing, though. Contrary to popular belief, studio monitors are not great home speakers even though one might initially think that. A studio monitor is designed to be as flat as possible in frequency response. However, most of us don't think that sounds that great and usually want to crank up the low end and sometimes the high end as well. These are NOT flat and they DO have a nice bump in the low end and a nice and easy to listen to high end that's not harsh. They are some excellent sounding speakers for home, office or even the home theater. They look really sexy, too. Nice wood veneer on the sides and if you choose to pull the grills off, they still look nice. Be sure to check the dimensions, too. I was a bit surprised at the diminutive size, especially given the quality of sound from them.I was astonished at just how tight and present the low end is with these little jewels. To make low end, you must move air. A 4" driver that produces that kind of low end is unusual, even among drivers with long excursions. The high end is crisp and clear with quite good imaging. The R1280DB has a pair of RCA inputs you can switch between using either the remote that comes with the speakers or by using the volume control knob. They also sport an optical AND coaxial cable connection as well as Bluetooth connectivity. All of them can be accessed via remote or volume knob which is really nice.These were purchased to replace a pair of antique JBL passive speakers in the master bedroom. Before I installed the new ones, I did a quick comparison of them using the exact same music and with the new ones sitting right on top of the old ones and there was simply NO comparison. These Edifiers put the smack down on those old old JBL speakers. It pains me to say that because I am quite the JBL fanboy, but there it is.I am so satisfied with these I may just get a second pair even though I don't have an immediate need for them. Sadly, it seems any time I find something I really like "they" pull it off the market. It's gotten to where I feel like I must purchase a lifetime supply of things I like!!!!12/30/24 Update: Somehow, the lack of sound in the kitchen suddenly became an issue (after some 20+ years without!) so I DID score a second set of these speakers. They are on top of the cabinets only a foot or so from the ceiling and about as far apart as the piece of speaker wire included with the speakers will allow. Our kitchen is such a happy place now!! There are several people here who love to cook and the kitchen is a popular place. I can't fathom how it took this long to get some music in there.

These are a fantastic set of speakers.Build Quality: nice and compact size, lightweight but also feel very solid and the wood grain has a classy look.Sound Quality: Excellent, full and rich. I have only compared them to a pair of ten year old Pioneer DJ DM 40 Studio monitors ( I know, not a fair comparison) but the Edifiers do provide a much more full and warm sound for most music. I haven't cranked up the volume yet but they are very sufficient for filling a small room room with rich sound.Set-up: very easy. You push the volume knob to switch between Bluetooth or Line In or use the remote. Comes with 3 different cables: RCA, Optical or 3.5mm mini and about 6' of speaker wire. The remote is also very nice: simple, thin and glossyThe only minor complaint I have is that, while the treble and bass knobs are buttery smooth, the volume knob is thinner and and gradated. It works well and I will probably get used to it, but I miss those thick, heavy, super buttery smooth good old volume knobs from analog stereo receivers back in the day and was hoping these speakers would have a volume knob like this, but it doesn't.Very happy I went for these instead of look-a-likes for half the price. If you value sound quality, the Edifiers won't disappoint.

These rock, they sound great. I also go the subwoofer that goes with it. I am blown away at how good these sound. Even turned down really low they still sound great. Out of the box they are meh. But once you start playing with the with they improve exponentially. I using mine with a mini AMD apu based windows system attached to my living room TV as my gaming and entertainment system. I've been using the crappy tv speakers, and recently decided to get something nicer. This set with the subwoofer and a win program called FxSound as a replacement for the OS's equalizer. Going from TV speakers to this is a huge, no, far beyond huge difference.Wow, decent speakers/soundbars are expensive. Then I found these. Saw a few reviews and here we are.These sound really nice. Far nicer then their price would indicate. I like that there are options for how to attach things. This give you enough inputs for, say, turn table, a receiver, a pc, a phone all at once. These are great. As far volume goes, at about half way I can easily hear the music and make out lyrics when on my porch. Granted my living room is the front of the house. I am confident that if I cranked it high I could wake a lot of people in this house.The subwoofer really does make a huge difference. Most of the comparable subwoofers are about fifty to a hundred dollars more with fewer features. I've read some complaints about the subwoofer's auto on/off feature. I haven't had an issue with it. It goes dormant when not in use. Some people say they can hear a delay when it comes out of sleep mode. I haven't heard it. The lack of a manual override does make me nervous.

These little speakers sound great. I bought them not knowing what to expect and am surprised at the clarity. The plus is that they are powered so i was able to pick up a passive sub and it was a game changer.