KAUSTHUB RAVI & SIVANESH NATARAJAN
BANG FOR THE BUCK!
Edifier
R980T 2.0 Edifier
R1280DB
Bookshelf Speakers Bluetooth
Bookshelf
Speakers/ 4
Inch Near Field
Speakers
BA-SICK!
Listening to good
sound while working
on our desks is
something we all
crave. Edifier, a
smaller and lesser
known US audio
company, has earned
a central spot in the limelight over the past few years for
making a wide variety of performant, feature nice looking
budget speakers.
The R980T is their most basic powered desktop/computer
speaker that comes at a minimal cost. These are made from
medium-density wood fiberboard with nice wood veneer
on them. The front mesh is very fine and elegant, and the
elegant logo on the bottom only adds to their beauty. This
model features all the inputs and controls on the back
side of the speakers, with a master volume and bass level
knobs and the two RCA inputs. Pretty basic stuff here that’s
clearly intended to make this speaker as cheap as possible
while still being passable.
The R980T is a powered speaker, meaning you don’t need
a separate amp or receiver – it simply plugs in and is
ready to play. The parent unit, in addition to volume/
bass EQ knobs and a power switch, has two RCA inputs,
so you could connect it to two devices at the same time. An
RCA to 3.5mm cable is included (connects to any standard
headphone jack) as well as some speaker wire to connect
the second child speaker. With a flared bass reflex port,
you’re sure to enjoy a balanced sound with enhanced bass.
Furthermore, the bass is adjustable, and the speakers
are equipped with a 13-mm tweeter as well, for you to
experience the strongest audio output possible. The range
spec is pretty decent for an inexpensive two-way bookshelf
speaker, and the power handling is pretty minimal.
VERDICT
So if you’re looking for some basic augmentation to listen
to talk radio or the like out loud for minimal cost, these
speakers are an ideal choice. But if you’re looking for true
reproduction, these won’t compete with more powerful
speakers coupled with a subwoofer. Edifier does make
higher grade powered speakers that do have subwoofer
compatibility, among other features, but they’re more
expensive.
42
The
Score Magazine
highonscore.com
MAKE THE
SWITCH!
The R1280DB is
the successor of
the R1280T and
now offers Bluetooth and digital input support. It uses the
same design and driver setup as the R1280T and offers a
similar look and identical performance. They also offer an
all-black model which looks way more modern and frankly,
a lot better than the normal ones. With a combined 42W
RMS output, they don’t offer wall shaking bass, but a sound
that is cozy, smoothly textured and room-filling.
Measuring 146 x 241 x 178mm per speaker, the Edifier
R1280DB sit somewhere in size between a more typical PC
speaker and a bookshelf Hi-Fi speaker. Rather than the
plastic of many desktop speakers, what we have is a hefty
MDF construction with a wood-textured vinyl wrap, just
as you’ll see on a Hi-Fi bookshelf speaker. Said wrap can
be either an all-black finish or a brown faux-wood one.
Edifier has added some subtle but key details that elevate
them well above what you’d expect for the price. There are
rounded corners, a subtle switch from the wood-textured
sides to the mottled-textured middle and a neat chromed-
plastic stripe across the middle of the speakers, all of which
adds that something extra. You can remove the fabric
grille to expose the two drivers and single bass port of
each speaker. If you are not a fan of dust absorbing grilles,
this is a good look. The front-firing bass port helps for
positioning in tight spaces without compromise to the bass
performance. This selection of inputs is what makes these
speakers such a versatile option, especially when combined
with the Bluetooth input. You can hook up a TV or PC,
something like a Google Chromecast Audio and connect
your phone through Bluetooth, all without any extra boxes
or paraphernalia. It offers a reasonably even sound and no
jarring boosts to bass or treble. It has quite a warm sound,
allowing it to adapt to a variety of different genres.
VERDICT
Overall, whether you do feel the need to tweak the EQ a
little, the key thing is that these speakers have the range to
provide the option. It’s this versatility that makes them so
appealing especially at this price point.