It might feel awfully weird to have to compare two products coming from the same company, but it is a testament to Edifier’s proficiency. The audio manufacturer has managed to create a welcome problem by making buyers with a $150 budget choose from two of their bookshelf speakers – the Edifier R1280DB vs the Edifier R1700BT.   

The Edifier R1280DB vs R1700BT are both best-selling Bluetooth-capable bookshelf speakers that are just within a couple of dollars from each other. At first glance, the two speakers have similar features as well. As such, you can’t exactly blame buyers for either having a hard time choosing or thinking that one is just as good as the other.   

If you dig a bit deeper though, you’ll find that the R1280DB and the R1700BT are not necessarily the same as each other, as you look beneath the surface.  

Although both are equally proficient and good buys, particular buyers might want to consider the differences between the R1280DBT vs the  R1700BT to get the most out of their money.   

So which one’s the better choice? Let’s dig right in and find out! 

Edifier R1280DB Review 

The Edifier R1280DB is the more affordable bookshelf speaker of the two speakers that we are comparing today. For most people, the R1280DB should be enough. It comes with Bluetooth connectivity and is capable of delivering clear sound. It also comes with its own auxiliary input so you can plug in other audio sources right out of the box.   

In terms of construction, the exterior of the R1280DB is made out of durable MDF with a walnut wood finish. The two combine to give it the longevity it needs to withstand years of use. At the same time, the finish gives it an ageless look that makes it easy to fit with your home’s decor, regardless of the theme.   

As we’ve mentioned earlier, the R1280DB is one of the better bookshelf speakers at its price range and beyond it. In fact, the 4-inch bass driver is similar to the one found on the R1700BT, so if bass performance is what you’re looking for, the R1280DB and R1700BT are both neck-and-neck with each other.   

For better clarity and minimal distortion at higher frequencies, the R1280DB has a 13mm silk dome tweeter with digital inputs for access to high-fidelity music and less connectivity with modern audio devices. Meanwhile, if you prefer to keep your music listening experience private, the R1280DB also comes with a headphone jack.   

As is customary with most Bluetooth bookshelf speakers, the R1280DB comes with a remote control that makes it easier to switch tracks, adjust the volume, and even turn on the speakers without having to get up.  

TECHNICAL FEATURES

• Dimensions: 5.7 x 9.5 x 7 inches 
  Case: Bass-reflex 
  Drivers: 4.57-inch (Woofer), 0.51-inch (Dome Tweeter) 
  Amplifier power: 42W RMS 
  Frequency response: 55Hz to 20kHz 
  Signal-to-noise ratio: 85dBA 
  Input sensitivity: 550 mV 
  Ports: All front 
  I/O Connections: 1 x Optical TOSLINK, 1 x Digital Coaxial, 2 x RCA , 2 x Spring Clip Pair 
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Edifier R1700BT Review 

For just a little bit more than the R1280DB, you can get yourself the R1700BT, which, on top of Bluetooth connectivity, comes with WiFi and Spotify Connect as well. This gives you multiple options where to stream music from. It’s also made out of MDF wood with a classic walnut finish for a more natural sound and look.  

As for sound quality, while the R1700BT shares the same bass driver size as the R1280DB (4 inches), the R1700BT has a larger dome tweeter (19mm vs 13mm) with the added benefit of having built-in Digital Signal Processing and Dynamic Range Control for minimal distortion, especially at higher frequencies. As a result, the bass driver and dome tweeter can work together effectively to make sure that the music is not drowned out by other music sources within the room.   

Plus, the R1700BT has a front-racing port bass reflex. This helps emphasize the low frequencies. Because of this, despite having the same bass driver size as the more affordable R1280DB, there is a noticeable sound difference between the R1700BT and the R1280DB that makes the former better.  

And to top it all off, the R1700BT also comes with an integrated amplifier. This means that the speaker won’t need external amplifiers anymore to improve sound quality. This kind of set-up makes the R1700BT so much easier to use and set-up right from the get-go.   

Also, just in case we forgot to mention it, the R1700BT comes with a remote control.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

• Dimensions: 6 x 9.5 x 8 inches 
• Case: Bass-reflex 
• Drivers: 4-inch (Woofer), 0.75-inch (Dome Tweeter) 
• Amplifier power: 66W RMS 
• Frequency response: 60Hz to 20kHz 
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 85dBA 
• Input sensitivity: 700 mV 
• Ports: All front 
• I/O Connections: 2 x RCA , 2 x Spring Clip Pair 

THE VERDICT - Which Is Better? 

In terms of sound quality, the Edifier R1700BT is the clear winner. The R1700BT has better midrange, treble, and bass. This is because it has two tweeters, four midrange drivers, one woofer, as well as an acoustic lens. Meanwhile, the Edifier R1280DB has neither of those things and while it’s still capable of producing excellent audio, the sound quality is not as nuances nor sophisticated.   

The only case where the R1280DB wins out is it has more physical connections, but even then, the R1700BT has WiFi and Spotify Connect, so it’s not a clear win for Edifier R1280DB.  

With that said, the Edifier R1280DB isn’t necessarily a bad product. It’s just the worst of two perfectly good speakers. If you can afford to spend extra money, the Edifier R1700BT is worth the premium. However, the Edifier R1280DB is a perfectly good choice if you’re looking for a high-quality bookshelf speaker.