If you’re in the market for a new set of speakers, there are a lot of options.
But Edifier consistently rises above with its impressive audio and sleek designs.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best Edifier speakers and detail which is the best for your specific needs.
From compact bookshelf speakers to surround sound systems, we’ll cover everything and help you make an informed decision.
For a quick insight, you can view the table below with all the latest prices.
Budget Pick: Edifier R1280T
The Edifier is one of the best-selling bookshelf speakers from Edifier and is a great pick for those looking for great sound on a budget.
Sound Quality
With 4″ woofers and 13mm silk dome tweeters, the R1280T delivers impressive bass and clear highs.
Despite the compact size, it can output a full-bodied sound that fills a room.
The bass has depth yet avoids sounding too boomy or muddy.
However, for certain genres such as EDM, the speaker may struggle with the lower end.
The midrange is detailed with very little harshness, while the highs come through crisp at times but at high volumes can come across a bit harsh.
With a solid MDF construction, it also minimizes any acoustic interference or unwanted vibrations to generate clear audio.
So while there are some drawbacks, overall you get a great-sounding speaker at a fantastic price.
Design
The R1280T speakers feature a classy wood finish and grey speaker grills that blend modern style with a retro look.
The vintage aesthetics allow the speaker to look great anywhere.
Whether that’s in a bedroom, a desktop, or hung on the wall – they never look out of place.
Despite the old-school vibe, the Edifier R1280T houses modern components.
Features
The R1280T includes some nice features for a budget speaker.
Bass and treble control dials on the side of the active speaker allow you to boost or cut by 6dB.
This lets you tweak the speakers to your liking for music, movies, or games.
Another handy feature is the included remote which is often left out of even more expensive models.
The remote is basic, but lets you control the volume and mute from across the room.
They also have dual RCA inputs for connecting two audio sources at once which is really useful.
Setup
The Edifier R1280T performs best on a desktop or in rooms of around 150 square feet.
When positioned properly and played at moderate volumes, it fills the listening space with immersive audio.
The speakers can get loud but as mentioned, they can sound a bit harsh at times and are better suited for smaller rooms.
The R1280T also has a subwoofer output for adding even more low-end thump when needed.
With the right sub, you can create a compact, budget-friendly system capable of room-filling sound.
Edifier R1280T Overview
- Retro wood case design with modern audio components inside
- Impressive sound with strong bass, detailed mids, and crisp highs
- Useful features like bass/treble control, remote control, dual inputs
- Ideal for desktops or small rooms around 150 sq ft
- Excellent value in providing premium sound quality on a budget
Also read: Best Yamaha speakers
Edifier R1700BT
The Edifier R1700BT delivers robust audio performance and connectivity options in a stylish, compact package.
Sound Quality
With a 19mm tweeter and 4-inch woofer, the R1700BT can produce rich bass, detailed mids, and crisp highs
It offers impressive clarity and stereo imaging when in the correct position.
Similarly to the R1280T, it can fill smaller rooms and desktop spaces with great sound.
However, it will run out of steam at higher volumes and give some distortion.
This is why it is only recommended for smaller rooms.
But with proper positioning, you will get performance that will provide years of happiness.
Build Quality
Like most Edifier speakers in this price range, it’s built with a solid MDF wood construction.
The vinyl side panels look sleek and can blend into almost any space.
The cables provided are of high quality and reasonably well made.
Considering the price point, the overall build quality is very good.
But of course, there will be cuts at this price range and you can’t expect premium level materials.
There are compromises in parts with the use of plastic, but it still feels relatively strong.
Those wanting a true high-end construction may be disappointed.
Design
The bookshelf proportions allow the R1700BT to fit into any desktop or living space.
The volume and EQ dials provide tactile controls over the audio levels.
Overall, the general aesthetic is quite modern.
However, one compromise with a budget speaker is the lack of LED indicators which makes it hard to see the current status at a glance.
The remote provided feels a bit cheap and flimsy too and only offers basic controls.
However, the overall design is really good and I don’t think the cons are too concerning.
Features
The R1700BT offers the same plus a few extra features over the Edifier R1280T such as Bluetooth streaming, multiple inputs, bass/treble EQ, and the remote control.
Bluetooth is a nice feature to have at this price range, allowing you to connect any device easily.
One gripe is that there is no app or advanced software control, something that might satisfy most people but tech enthusiasts may want more capabilities.
Setup
In smaller rooms, this speaker excels such as on a Desktop or a small living room.
In these areas, it provides an immersive and detailed sound. Larger spaces will certainly require a dedicated subwoofer though.
The R1700BT does lack some advanced calibration capabilities, so the only real tweaking you can do is by the two knobs and the placement of the speaker.
So for the inexperienced, there is a learning curve but once you get it right – you’ll know it.
Edifier R1700BT Overview
Pros
- Great sound quality for the price
- Compact, attractive design
- Bluetooth and wired connectivity
- Bass/treble EQ customization
Cons
- Lacks deep sub-bass capability
- Materials are decent but not premium
- Basic remote and control options
You can read our comparison between Edifier R1700BT and Edifier R1280DB here.
Edifier S1000MKII
The Edifier S1000MKII delivers robust performance, connectivity, and modern design all in one compact bookshelf package.
Sound Quality
Equipped with a 5.5-inch aluminum mid-woofer and 19mm silk dome tweeter in each speaker, the S1000MKII produces deep bass, detailed mids, and crisp, clear highs.
The proprietary DPS crossover optimizes the frequency response for an accurate reproduction across the entire spectrum.
While compact, it provides immersive audio, perfect for those wanting a home theater experience for music and movies.
Unlike the cheaper models here, the S1000MKII can handle higher volumes far better, but there is a small bit of distortion in doing so.
Build Quality
The build quality is excellent, featuring solid wood construction, and used MDF for the cabinets.
It’s strong and premium with some nice heft.
There are rubber pads on the bottom to protect surfaces, prevent vibrations and stops the speakers from slipping.
Overall, the build quality is very good and exactly what you would expect in this price range.
Design
The classic wooden side panels and black speaker grills allow the speaker to blend into any room.
Angled front baffles optimize driver positioning, meaning you get a direct sound dispersion.
Volume dials and bass/treble knobs provide tactile audio control that feels premium
Overall, the aesthetic is nice.
Features
The S1000MKII offers extensive connectivity such as Bluetooth, optical, coaxial, and RCA inputs for any audio source.
There’s a dedicated left and right RCA inputs that enable stereo separation from one device (make sure you get it right!).
The subwoofer output allows for upgradability down the line too.
The included remote control controls volume, input selection, and standby mode.
A bit more options than cheaper models but still nothing too fancy here.
In short, the S1000MKII comes packed with useful features for customizing and enhancing your experience, but the remote could have a few extra features and controls.
Setup
The SK1000MKII performs better in larger living rooms than some of the cheaper models – somewhere between 150-300 sq ft.
However, expect to get an added subwoofer with bigger spaces or the bass just won’t be powerful enough.
The 8ohm impedance allows flexibility amplifier pairing (you can read the differences in ohms here).
Once positioned properly, they fill the room with a dynamic soundstage and immersive audio.
Edifier S1000MKII Overview
Pros
- Great sound quality for the price
- Compact, attractive design
- Bluetooth and wired connectivity
- Bass/treble EQ customization
Cons
- Basic remote and control options
- Handles max volumes only adequately
Conclusion
We hope that these reviews will help give you insight into what the best Edifier bookshelf speaker is for you personally. All of these speakers have a wide variety of pros and cons and you will surely find one that is best suited to your needs and budget.
