Edifier R1280DB Review
Edifier has given all-around changes on the new R1280DB, and it will also perfectly surpass the former as an introductory artifact. The launch of Edifier R1280DB speaker is more like Edifier showing years of design experience and technology precipitation to people.
As a brand of desktop multimedia computer speakers, Edifier has an absolutely dominant position in the multimedia desktop speaker market. It has the highest market share among computer users.
Edifier’s multimedia speaker products have always been loved by the majority of computer music lovers for their low price and good quality features.
If you need to buy speakers easy to set up, you may choose Edifier. If you want to spend a small amount of money and get good sound quality, you may also need to buy an Edifier. Of course, if you want an excellent audio-visual experience on your computer, then maybe Edifier is still the best choice.
The Edifier is quite accurate in satisfying the needs of consumers. Many classic speaker models are prevalent. Many of them are the most popular entry-level desktop speakers, such as R201T and R301T. They also have R1000TC, R1200T, and R1900 specially designed for computer music listening.
Of course, there is no shortage of high-end Edifier models, such as Airpluse A200, Airpulse A300 pro, etc. That is why Edifier can become the dominant multimedia speaker because it knows what kind of speakers computer users prefer.
At present, it seems that many classic models are still on sale. Edifiers have always taken a more cautious attitude towards product upgrades. However, as people’s needs change, it is necessary to update them.
Design
In terms of design, Edifier R1280DB 2.0CH speaker continues the steady and straightforward classic style. The wooden cabinet remains unchanged, looking quite inherited.
However, R1280DB has a lot of changes in details. First of all, in terms of the material of the cabinet, Edifier R1280DB adopts an MDF design, which can effectively eliminate resonance and bring more pure sound.
The speaker’s side adopts a wood grain design, and it is quite natural and beautiful, which will be pretty consistent with the environment of the furniture.
The grille of the Edifier R1280DB also adopts an entirely different design from the R1200T. Its gray grille has a specific curvature, and the middle part has a silver decoration that looks more contemporary and fashionable. The lower portion of the grille is printed with the Edifier’s logo. In addition, the grille has an outstanding dust-proof feature.
Edifier R1280DB wireless speaker puts the bass port in the front. The front-mounted bass inverted hole can better enhance the lower potential of the low frequency. The requirements for speaker placement will be without limitation. Usually, speaker with the bass port on the back, you should avoid placing the speaker against the wall so as to make some room for the speaker to “breathe”.
For the woofer, R1280DB uses a 4-inch black wool cone speaker. This unit has a warm and close sound, excellent flexibility, and better quality based on crossover technology. Its tweeter uses a 13mm silk-dome tweeter. This tweeter is also widely used. A superb speaker can make this unit play a perfect sound.
The back of the Edifier R1280DB speaker is much more concise and orderly than the old version. The dual RCA input interface can facilitate the R1280DB to connect to a variety of audio sources. In addition, the auxiliary speaker is relatively simple. It also offers an optical and coaxial connection option.
Besides the renewal of the acoustic structure and cabinet design, the Edifier has also upgraded the circuit of the R1280DB. This speaker uses a Class D digital power amplifier to directly increase the power from the original 16W to 42W, which has a better guarantee of enormous volume to adapt to the environment at home and not just on the desktop.
Sound Performance
Of course, no matter what kind of upgrade, it is ultimately reflected in the sound performance of the most important. As a multimedia speaker product, it is best to use it with a computer. To ensure that the sound bottleneck of Edifier R1280DB does not appear on the computer, I am testing the sound with some equipment in hand, hoping to get better results.
I have an Audioengine B1 wireless DAC. It has good sound performance. It uses Bluetooth 5.0 for the input, ensuring extremely high fidelity.
I chose some music that I often use as a test, containing modern pop, vocal songs, rock music, light music, classical music, and other types of music.
On the whole, the sound of Edifier R1280DB PC speaker is quite pleasing in all aspects. It is not a wholly balanced compromise sound quality, nor is it vulgar, without characteristics, but the sound sounds so comfortable.
R1280DB does not pursue too much quality.
Instead, it can give us a perfect sense of hearing and ensure the performance of various frequency bands. That seems to be enough for entry-level 2.0 speakers. However, it can be honestly said that many other entry-level 2.0 speakers have not yet met this requirement.
The sound of R1280DB has a certain momentum, and the control ability is relatively appropriate. It will not break through its bottleneck too much in the ensemble.
Of course, if you use a large-scale symphony or a chorus of thousands of people to listen to it, it is a different story. The sound of Edifier R1280DB is truly warm and clear. That is an essential quality of 2.0 speakers, and it is also the sound performance that speakers used to enjoy music should have.
The Bass
The bass of R1280DB still has a good sense of volume, and its sound diving ability is also quite good. Edifiers have never feared this kind of bass performance.
Its bass is very flexible, and its transient response-ability is relatively good. The sound is natural and tight. It can give us an excellent shocking effect on the desktop in music that pays attention to rhythm. It also has a good performance in melody bass, delivering us the solidity and imaging ability.
The Mid-range
The mid-frequency part of the Edifier R1280DB is relatively delicate. Therefore, it does not show the vocals in the mid-frequency part with a substantial degree of solidity like many traditional 2.0 speakers.
On the contrary, the position of the mid-frequency sound is not as prominent as the bass. As a result, it sounds softer, not too forward. However, the sound of Edifier R1280DB is very moisturized. It does not blindly pursue a straightforward music restoration effect but makes the voice more emotional.
The Treble
The treble performance should be a very characteristic frequency band of Edifier R1280DB. After all, many entry-level 2.0 speakers mainly focus on the bass punch effect, but it seems that there are not many that can highlight the treble impact.
R1280DB’s high-frequency penetration is perfect, and the resolution is vital. Although the sound position will not be prominent at the front, it can make us feel its existence. That may be the interpretation of the sound of the R1280DB speaker set by the Edifier.
The performance of the Edifier R1280DB speaker in the connection of the high, mid, and low-frequency range is relatively natural. Its accurate sound phase makes us feel very comfortable. It seems that it is not a problem to play pop music in this kind of sound, which is at least enough to satisfy most users.
Conclusion
Though Edifieris has always been known for its cost-effectiveness, such as Edifier, I will not have too much expectation.
But the Edifier R1280DB speaker really surprised me, nothing else, just because of its clear and warm sound. Many entry-level 2.0 speakers are unable to do this, and they focus on the performance of the mid-bass and try to please most PC users. But Edifiers don’t think so.
R1280DB fully considers user needs and shows us the profound design experience and technical precipitation of Edifier.
It is entirely different in terms of details, artistry, appearance, and, most importantly, sound quality.
And we have also seen changes in consumer demand for speakers. With the continuous improvement of people’s requirements for sound quality and the constant improvement of understanding of music, the number of audiophiles is constantly increasing.
The 2.0 PC speakers, which have not been too popular for a long time, have gradually attracted people’s attention. Edifier R1280DB undoubtedly satisfies the needs of entry-level computer music lovers very well.
Edifier R1280DB Specifications
- Speaker Configuration: 2-Way
- Amplifier Power Rating: 42 W RMS
- Drivers: 1 x 4.57″ / 116 mm Woofer (per Speaker), 1 x 0.51″ / 13 mm Silk Dome Tweeter (per Speaker)
- Enclosure Type: Bass-Reflex
- Ports: 1 x Front-Firing (per Speaker)
- Frequency Response: 55 Hz to 20 kHz
- Inputs: 1 x Optical TOSLINK Input (Audio), 1 x Digital Coaxial Input (Audio), 2 x Stereo RCA Input (Audio)
- SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio): 85 dB
- Wireless Connection: Bluetooth
- AC Input Power: 100 to 240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz at 300 mA
- Placement & Mounting Options: Tabletop/Bookshelf
- Dimensions: 5.7 x 9.5 x 7″ / 146 x 242 x 178 mm
- Package Weight: 12.15 lb
