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The Edifier R1280DB are a powered 2.0 speaker set that are aimed primarily at computer users but could also be used for boosting the audio on a TV or, if combined with something like a Chromecast Audio dongle, they could even serve as your main Hi-Fi speakers. Their large wood-effect enclosures certainly give off more of a Hi-Fi speaker vibe than a desktop speaker one but with dimensions of 146 x 241 x 178mm they are still small enough to fit on most desks.
With several analogue and digital inputs, as well as Bluetooth connectivity, they provide plenty of versatility while the inclusion of a remote control makes them practical for use in larger open spaces.
Retailing for just £120 the R1280DB are potentially ideal for those seeking an affordable but powerful, versatile and convenient set of speakers.
Specification:
- Dimensions: 146 x 241 x 178mm
- 2 x 4 inch woofer drivers (1 x per speaker)
- 2 x 13mm silk dome tweeter (1 x per speaker)
- Frequency response: 55-20,000hz
- Bluetooth, digital and analogue inputs
- 4 x RCA analogue inputs (2 per stereo pair)
- 1 x optical digital input
- 1 x coaxial digital input
- Bass, treble and volume control
- Infra red remote control with Bluetooth playback controls
- Power output : R/L: 21W+21W RMS
- Signal to noise ratio : ≥85dBA
- Noise level: ≤25dBA
- Input sensitivity : LINE IN1: R/L:450±50mV, LINE IN2: R/L:550±50mV, OPT/COA: R/L:500±50mFFS, Bluetooth: R/L:700±50mFFS
Price: £120 (Inc. VAT)
Although the Edifier R1280DB do fit comfortably on most desks, they are still notably bigger than your average PC speaker. If you just want something compact that’ll give you a bit of a boost over laptop or monitor speakers, they’re probably overkill. That said, they don’t project quite so far forward as the rather strangely shaped Razer Nommo Chroma speakers, for instance.
In terms of styling, they’re fairly standard Hi-Fi speakers, with a choice of either brown/wood or black finishes and a removable fabric speaker grille on the front. Rounded corners, the addition of a chrome stripe across the speaker grille and the two-tone finish of the wooden version all help to elevate things from being just a generic cuboid though.
We think they look great, though it should be noted that the wood texture of both versions is fake – its just a vinyl skin stuck to an MDF frame. Indeed the whole speaker is of MDF construction. For £120 that’s as much as you could expect, though, and Edifier has done a great job of working with those basic materials to create a really solid, elegant speaker.
Prize the speaker grille off – it’s held on via pressure-fit plastic lugs – and you can see the two main drivers that power these speakers, along with their front-firing bass port. The latter is notable as it means you don’t need to position these speakers any distance from a wall to get them to perform properly.
Each woofer driver measures four inches across. Combined with the sheer physical volume of these speakers this would suggest these speakers are capable of a reasonably powerful bass response.
The 13mm tweeters, meanwhile, don’t boost any particularly exotic, stiff materials but instead use a silk construction with a domed shape. The total output from all four drivers is 42W with all the power provided by the amplifier housed in the right speaker.
Also here is where you’ll find the connectivity and audio controls. Round the back are the spring clip connections for connecting up the left speaker, two sets of RCA sockets for connecting analogue inputs, a coaxial digital input and an optical digital input, along with a mains power switch.
Meanwhile, round the side are controls for adjusting the bass, treble and volume levels. The former two are conventional analogue dials while the latter is an infinite-spin digital dial. This means you can adjust the volume using either this dial or the remote control.
The remote is perhaps the most disappointing aspect of this speaker set, at least in terms of initial impressions. It’s a thoroughly generic and cheap-looking thing with popper-style buttons that have an indistinct mushy feel.
You get plenty of buttons, though. You can directly choose all four inputs – no cycling through different inputs using the same input button here – adjust volume, mute the speakers and there are full Bluetooth playback controls. Note, you can also change inputs by pressing in the volume control.
The Edifier R1280DB are very easy to setup and live with. Connect up the left speaker and your audio sources and you’re good to go. Connecting via Bluetooth is done simply by selecting the Bluetooth input option and the device will be ready to connect to from your Bluetooth source.
Bluetooth playback also works flawlessly with good range, a reliable connection and the play/pause/forward/back buttons on the remote all work as you’d expect.
However, one frustration we did find with the remote is that, because the only light on the speakers is positioned on the right side of the right speaker, for normal use you can’t see the little flash the light does when you adjust the volume. Combined with the fact that volume adjustment steps are quite small and it can be strangely tricky to dial in the volume you want due to the apparent lack of response from the speakers.
We quite often found ourselves going too far one way then the other before finding the right balance, especially when watching video, where volume is fairly inconsistent.
Sound Quality
Where we have very few complaints about these speakers is the sheer quality of their sound. Unsurprisingly, given their size, the most notable thing is their sheer power. They can easily stretch to being used for parties or as a powerful audio system for a home cinema setup.
By all means we’re not talking room-shaking levels of bass and power but you certainly shouldn’t have any problems filling a large living room with sound, and they’re a massive upgrade in sound quality for most TVs.
Equally, they cope very well at much lower volumes, making them just as at home on a desk, though again if you’re really looking for a compact solution these are probably overkill.
In terms of the overall sound signature, Edifier claims a very flat response, and largely that is the case. Bass isn’t overtly boosted, and neither is their a spike in treble response to trick you into thinking there’s more detail and clarity here than there is. Instead, you just get a nice warm, smooth sound that’s suited to a wide variety of applications.
Stick them in a corner, or if you’re using them particularly close, and you may want to dial back the bass response a little, which is easily done via the bass knob.
Similarly, for use with TV, we found ourselves dialling back the bass a little and the treble up a little, just to tone down any unnecessary rumbles – those bass thrums during the BBC news are mighty annoying once you’ve got an audio system that can reproduce them properly – and give dialogue a slight boost.
Indeed, it’s in these two extreme ends of the spectrum where the R1280DB are least effective. The lack of a powerful, dedicated sub woofer means you’re not getting earth-shattering levels of bass. That’s fine for what we consider appropriate for a set of desktop speakers – or for a modest TV audio upgrade – but fans of a serious rumble may want to look at a 2.1 set instead.
Meanwhile, at the top-end, that silk dome tweeter can’t compete for clarity with more expensive speakers. That sense of airiness and space that you get with really high-end speakers just isn’t quite there. But then, we are talking about a £120 pair of speakers, after all.
Comparing to some direct price rivals, the Edifier R1280DB wipe the floor with the likes of the Razer Nommo Chroma, both in terms of the sheer number of features you're getting for the money and overall audio performance. Likewise something like the £90 Creative Gigaworks T40 Series II come up short in terms of features and can’t match the depth and clarity of the R1280DB.
As for 2.1 systems, the likes of the £140 Logitech Z623 offer that step up in sheer bass power but don’t have as clear and even a sound across the full range. Plus, they again come up short for features – the addition of the remote to Edifier’s speakers in this price range really makes a difference. There’s also Edifier’s own C2XD that have the remote but again sacrifice some mid-range warmth and smoothness for that extra bass response, so it depends what your priorities are.
The Edifier R1280DB combine stylish design, high build quality, plenty of features and great sound quality to make for a truly fantastic and versatile set of desktop speakers. Whether you plan to use them for a PC, upgrade your TV’s audio or just as a one-stop mini Hi-Fi, they deliver the goods on every front.
Despite their use of fairly basic build materials, Edifier has used a keen eye for design and clever manufacturing to create a set of speakers that looks and feels great. No wobbly buttons or flimsy plastic chassis here.
The combination of analogue and digital connections, along with the addition of Bluetooth really makes them convenient, especially if you plan to use them in the living room. Without upgrading to a full receiver and non-powered speakers, there are few easier ways to boost your system's audio.
Then there’s the sound quality that, while it still somewhat reflects the £120 price tag, is superb for the price. The combination of four drivers and the large cabinets provides plenty of power, depth and clarity, resulting in a sound that far surpasses the vast majority of alternatives. Are there better sounding PC speakers? By all means, but none at this price that also deliver this set of features as well.
There are just a couple of reasons why you may want to look at alternatives. The first is size. These are fairly large speakers, and some buyers simply won’t need such a big upgrade. There are plenty of options, both cheap and expensive, that offer a nice boost in audio in a smaller package.
The second is essentially the opposite problem, which is that some users may want an even larger sub-bass response. In which case opting for a 2.1 speaker set with a large sub-woofer may serve you better. You’ll struggle to get much of an improvement for the same price but there are a few options out there.
Overall, though, these are an exceptionally good buy for the price, especially if the versatility of extra inputs and a remote is important to you.
You can buy the Edifier R1280DB for £120 from Amazon UK HERE.
Pros
- Stylish design
- Loads of features
- Convenient remote control
- Great overall sound quality
Cons
- No sub for big bass
- Middling top-end clarity
- Small, cheap remote
KitGuru says: Whether you’re after a basic PC speaker upgrade or a way to boost your TV's audio, the Edifier R1280DB are a great option.
