It can go without saying that the speaker market is extremely competitive, with a plethora of options available, so you might be happily amazed by what your money will get you especially at such a time. If you’re looking for affordable bookshelf speakers, Edifier R980T and Edifier R1280T can be excellent candidates.
Edifier is known for its superb quality music speakers, one of those computer speakers is Edifier R980T and Edifier R1280T. These are two new Speaker 2.0 Edifier Studio products for home use. Let’s take a quick look at the differences of these fantastic speakers in the article below.
Specifications at a glance :
Features of Edifier R1280T
- Natural sound reproduction
- MDF wood build
- Dual RCA Input
- Universal power supply (100-240V)
- Silk domed tweeter
- Warranty for two years
Pros of Edifier R1280T
- No amplifier required
- The sound is warm, equilibrated, and powerful
- Separate bass and treble checks
- Excellent price point
- Easy to connect
- Includes remote
Cons of Edifier R1280T
- The highs are not clear
- The depth of the bass is missing
- It is difficult to find any disadvantages at this price point!
Features of Edifier R980T
- Enhanced Bass
- 100% wooden enclosures
- 24 Watts RMS power output
- Universal 110V-240V power
- Magnetically shielded
- Warranty for two years
Pros of Edifier R980T
- Great speakers for any use
- Compact and great for small spaces
- Lightweight
- Budget-friendly
- 24W Power output is enough for bookshelf size speakers
- Elegant design and look that doesn’t interfere with your desk
- A nice bass reflex that packs enough punch for a small computer speaker system
- Master volume knob and bass level knob
Cons of Edifier R980T
- Not suited for audiophiles as these are primarily computer speakers
- Volume limitation does not allow automatically set sound
- Compromise on low bass frequencies due to small size
- The Edifier R980T 4” only come in a black finish
Also ead Which Speaker Should You Choose between Micca MB42X vs Polk Audio T15
Build Material and Design
The Edifier R1280T speakers have an unique as well as outstanding design, while the Edifier R980T computer speaker has a more conventional appearance with black and black wings.
Edifier R1280T
Edifier R1280T speakers have wood veneering on their sides measuring 9.2 to 5.7 by 7.7 inches (HWD) each and a matt metallic finish upwards. The grills are gray and can be removed with the Edifier logo on the base. Each speaker packs a 4-inch woofer, a 13-mm silk dome tweeter under the barrel, and a port to move air and make it easier for drivers to perform.
The only powered speaker on the right is its power supply to the left unit via a separated cable (included). The right speaker even has an IR sensor for easy remote control with only three buttons — mute, up, and down the volume.
The recessed area housing three knobs is located on the right panel of the speaker. The bass is the lowest button, the bass the middle, and the treble top. The bass and treble switch have detents to the midpoint of the dial.
Absurdly, you can’t look at the volume control except by a plus and a smaller sign, so that you know the level to which your system is directed. There is also no stop on the dial where full turns are turned so that you can’t just turn it left and know that the volume is at its lowest level. Below these dials is a power LED.
Edifier R980T
Start with the features of the bookshelf speakers Edifier R980T. They are double 12W speakers that can be used as bookshelf speakers or computers.
The volume and bass control knobs are located on the back of the speaker. These allow you to control the amount of power that comes from the speakers consistently. All required speaker wires and power supplies are included in the speakers.
The speakers are made in a classical black wood style in addition to solid build quality. The 100% wood design reduces acoustic resonance and improves sound quality. The speakers are also protected magnetically.
Each speaker has a tweeter of 13mm and a bass driver of 4 inches. They have double woofers of 4-inch. Which offers much more punchy bass, as you can expect. Speakers are active and passive speakers with 70 HZ-20 kHz +/-9 dB frequency response. They also offer an input sensitivity of 700 +- 50mV for PC input and 550 +- 50mV for the auxiliary input.
- The music player Edifier R1280T looks more luxurious and outstanding due to the use of wood grain yellow tones for the two sides of the enclosures combined with the light gray of the protective fabric film and the remaining 4 wooden surfaces in comparison to the Edifier R980T.
- The company loved these designs with forward-facing vents (front bass) in each of these speakers so that consumers can conveniently place them on bookshelves or near to the wall without sacrificing accuracy.
- The Edifier R1280T computer speaker also features additional bass and treble modifications, as well as a volume control feature and remote control, allowing you to conveniently control the volume of remote speakers. The Edifier R980T, in particular, only supports introducing a special bass feature to the rear of the main speaker in addition to the volume control button.
Winner: Edifier R1280T
Connectivity
Both of the speakers kind of have same type of connectivity options.
Edifier R1280T
Dual RCA inputs are included for connections on the right back of the speaker. One is labeled as PC and works with PCs and mobile devices on 3.5mm-to-RCA cables. The other one is labeled AUX and is equipped with a second RCA cable that can be used with standard stereo equipment or a TV with RCA outputs. The back panel also contains the power switch and the power cable. Take a peek at 2 other BookShelf Speaker from Klipsch with better connectivity.
Edifier R980T
Let’s start with the Edifier R980T bookshelf speakers’ connectivity. They have an auxiliary input as well as the ability to accept an RCA input, which is exactly the same as R1280T. A RCA cable and a 3.5mm cable are included with the R980T speakers.
- You cannot stream music from your phone or another device via Bluetooth using these speakers. Both of the speakers do not have any wireless connectivity. As I have already said, they have quite similar connectivity options.
Winner: Tie
Audio Performance
The Edifier R1280T speakers can produce high-quality bright natural sound with clarity and height, while the Edifier R980T produces a darker groovy tone with decent bass but lacks the clarity and balance required.
Edifier R1280T
Edifier R1280T speakers deliver rich, vibrant, studio quality sound within a inexpensive price tag. The speakers offer a powerful deeper response in high volumes on tracks with intense sub-bass content.
Depending on how loud your sound source gets, it is possible, however, to push them to the brink of distortion, but they can play loud before that—the speakers can certainly provide high volumes and thunders. The rumble, like the chance of distortion, obviously gets stronger with the bass boosted.
The treble and bass knobs are subtler than most other EQ controls. In the neutral default setting, the drivers also offer a fairly flat response, so adding bass is likely to be a move for many listeners. Even if the bass button is fully activated, the rise is not enough to eliminate the balance of most of the mixtures. You can easily improve the bass and the treble marginally and keep a balance between the two.
The bass response is still quite powerful at moderate volumes at the neutral setting and the balance with the highs is ideal. On systems that boost the bass too much, the drums on this track can sound too thunderous.
The drums are fairly natural through the R1280T – boosting the bass doesn’t send them to a serious territory of thunder either. Vocals can be complemented by crisp, clear high middle and high height with a pleasant low middle presence. The strands of theacoustic guitars are also well defined with their brilliance.
You must also think about the design of the speaker, especially if it fits your living area perfectly. Although the majority of bookshelf speakers are compact, speakers are still larger than usual. So, when you have a large and spacious area, you won’t do the job of choosing a small speaker.
You always want speakers that are not difficult to work with. Fortunately, with the R1280T speaker Edifier, you don’t have to worry about this. The best thing about this speaker is that it is compatible with a wide range of devices.
And if you’re confused about getting which sound system you like, know Why Should you Choose headphone or a Speaker
Edifier R980T
It works very well in comparison with other speakers in this price range. We were very impressed by the sound of speakers of this size. The highs are narrow, the bass tight, and the middle is clean. But without a medium distance. Furthermore, the controls on the speaker’s back work well.
However, we would recommend that only the volume button be kept at 100%. Then individually adjust the volume by the device connected to the speakers. The bass button in the center provided us with enough punch without being extreme. It is nevertheless not extremely powerful without a dedicated subwoofer.
The R9800T is a powerful speaker that means you don’t need a separate amplifier or receiver. In addition to the volume/bass EQ buttons and a power switch, the parent unit also has two RCA inputs, so that you can connect it simultaneously to two devices. The speakers are small and relatively light, so it shouldn’t be hard to put them on a desktop.
The front of the port is unusual, but it is our best guess that they are placed in it, so you don’t have to worry about it. The range spec for a low-cost two-way bookshelf speaker is quite decent and power handling is very small. These speakers are an enhanced crumbing upgrade to a laptop speaker that makes listening sufficient in a close field, but that’s what it is.
Those speakers are an excellent choice when you are looking for some basic additional feature to listen to the radio or the like for a minimum amount of money. But you don’t have a stronger speaker coupled to the subwoofer if you look for true reproduction. Edifier makes higher-grade powered speakers, amongst other features, compatible with the subwoofer, but more costly.
Some disadvantages with the R980T are there. Firstly, anything less than 25 percent of the volume knob is virtually useless. But an easy solution is available. Keep the volume with your audio unit at 100% then. Secondly, the controls are at the speaker’s back. It’s not a big problem since, after the initial installation, if you don’t touch them. But they may be disappointed by this design decision for some people. The choice was made to look clean and modern.
Edifier T5 Powered Subwoofer can be connected with these Edifier speakers. It provides you with the best listening experience by delivering powerful sound with rich, highly precise bass.
Winner: Edifier R1280T
Market Overview
With this price tag, Edifier R1280T is simply incredible, but you have to award Edifier R980T the point for its unbelievable cheap rate.
Edifier R1280T
The audio quality of the Edifier R1280T is impressive for $100. Budget-friendly PC speakers seldom sound good and provide this great power. If you spend a little more money on your choice, we’re fans of the Harman Kardon SoundSticks III, the Logitech Z537, and the Audiostick 2+. If you’re wireless, HD3 speakers from Audioengine are robust but considerably more affordable. Checkout 2 Amazing Speaker from Polk also with great price points
You might also consider the Edifier R1700BT as an alternative, but it’s also a little bit more expensive, with Bluetooth and slightly superior specs and design.
Edifier has recently published an upgraded version of this speaker, the 1280DB, but they seem essentially the same other than a new color and a slightly better response floor. That is why we say only to save some money and get older, as long as the R1280T is cheaper.
Edifier R980T
The R980T seems to be the best choice at this stage if you want to expand a standard speaker to listen “acceptable” and spend as little money as possible. The cheapest option is also nice and includes the best guarantee.
The equally popular Micca PB42Xs are also in this price range. For most people, it’s probably worth paying a little extra for something better at a listening test.
- The R980T can work perfectly for you if you are looking for a bookshelf that is reasonably priced. They’re going to work on “studio monitoring,” but it worth upgrading to one of the higher-end offerings from Edifier. They have some shortcomings, but they can easily be modified as mentioned above. There are not many competitors who offer the sound value these speakers have.
- The R1280T brings a lot to the table without any significant flaws as it takes on the price, which is not surprising how popular these remain if you are looking for an inexpensive, easy install out from the box pair of Bookshelf speakers. You can obtain the 1280Ts by Edifier, which has a lot more power and several additional features for a little more money – they are still our favorite bookshelf speaker overall.
Winner: Edifier R980T
Check out this amazing comparison also: Edifier R1280T vs R1280DB : Quality Bookshelf Speaker
Compared to Others
Micca PB42X
Micca’s PB42X speaker is another decent choice for those who want to save money but also having a good product. The most significant distinction between the Edifier R1280T or R90T and the Micca PB42X is the latter’s smaller tweeter and additional equalizers. R1280T and R90T both sound better than Micca PB42X, but icca PB42X is louder than those.
Edifier R1700BT
The Edifier R1700BT speaker is a pair of smart-looking, portable speakers that can stream music using Bluetooth 4.0. These speakers are slightly larger than the R1280DB and have certain distinctive style features. The R1280T speakers are a superior option in terms of sound quality and efficiency than the R980T and R1700BT speakers.
Polk Audio T15
The Polk Audio T15 speakers have clear highs and a sweet, full midrange. The Polk Audio T15 speakers are a little bigger than the Edifiers. In addition, these speakers sound different than the Edifiers. Some can find the T15 to be too hot on the high end and deficient in deep bass as individual bookshelf speakers.
Take a look at Micca MB42X vs Polk Audio T15: In-Depth Review and Comparison
Final verdict
Although it’s never a good idea to expect too much from a low-cost electrical device, we were pleasantly surprised by the capabilities of the Edifier speakers we tested today.
- The R1280T speakers from Edifier provide lush, balanced audio with customizable EQ in a stylish configuration at a reasonable price. It’s a perfect companion for nearly any desk configuration, thanks to its superior sound quality, medium capacity for an office or apartment, and decent if button-down looks.
- The Edifier R980T speakers, on the other hand, are designed for easy-to-use ears that can handle everyday music and small home theater systems. There aren’t many rivals in this price range that can match the sound quality of these speakers.
The audio quality of the Edifier R1280T is on another level if we compare it with the R980T. We’ve already highlighted that any speaker worth buying should have an outstanding list of features and benefits. This is where the Edifier R1280T truly shines.
It also needs to be mentioned that the R980T is a very good speaker in the $70 mark but if u have a budget of $100 then R1280T is the speaker for you. Both the speakers can be found on Amazon with great deals.
Hi, my name is Afnan Bin Ibrahim, and I’m an aspiring freelance writer. Read more
