Head to head
Edifier R1280DBs vs Edifier R1700BT (2026)
R1280DBs vs R1700BT: the value bookshelf pair against the larger flagship, compared on sound, inputs, and desk fit.
#4 in our rankings · Best value
Edifier R1280DBs, Wood Grain
Best for: Buyers who want bookshelf sound, Bluetooth, and a subwoofer upgrade path, without paying for the larger R1700BT cabinets.
#1 in our rankings · Best overall
Edifier R1700BT, Black
Best for: Listeners who want one pair for a desk and a small room, with Bluetooth for a phone and wired inputs for a computer.
Our recommendation
Buy the Edifier R1280DBs if desk space is tight, an optical input is needed, or value leads the decision. Buy the Edifier R1700BT if sound scale and bass matter more than saving space, since its larger drivers fill a room the smaller pair cannot. Both share Edifier's warm, easy character and Bluetooth convenience; the choice is about size and scale, not about sound philosophy.
Sound scale
The R1700BT sounds bigger in every direction: wider, deeper, and more composed at higher volume, thanks to larger cabinets and drivers. The R1280DBs sounds excellent at desk distance but thins out sooner and cannot fill a room the same way. For a desk alone, the gap is modest; for a desk plus a room, it is decisive.
Inputs
The R1280DBs wins on input breadth, adding an optical input that the R1700BT lacks, which matters for televisions and consoles. The R1700BT counters with a more powerful amplifier section and a subwoofer output shared by both, so neither pair is short of connections, but the optical edge belongs to the smaller pair.
Desk fit
The R1280DBs fits desks the R1700BT cannot, with smaller cabinets that sit happily beside a monitor. The R1700BT needs real width and depth, and it rewards some breathing room around the cabinets. Measure the desk before choosing on sound alone, since a cramped flagship sounds worse than a well-placed smaller pair.
Choose Edifier R1280DBs, Wood Grain if…
- Your desk is small or crowded
- You need an optical input for a television
- Value matters more than maximum scale
Choose Edifier R1700BT, Black if…
- You want the fullest sound without a subwoofer
- The pair will also serve a room
- You have desk width to spare
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | Edifier R1280DBs, Wood Grain | Edifier R1700BT, Black |
|---|---|---|
| Price tier | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Configuration | 2.0 powered bookshelf pair | 2.0 powered bookshelf pair |
| Power | 42W RMS total | 66W RMS total |
| Drivers | 4-inch woofers, 0.5-inch tweeters | 4-inch mid-range and bass drivers, 0.75-inch silk dome tweeters |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, optical, dual RCA and 3.5mm analogue inputs | Bluetooth, dual RCA and 3.5mm analogue inputs |
| Extras | Subwoofer line output, wireless remote control | Subwoofer output, wireless remote control |
| Best for | Buyers who want bookshelf sound, Bluetooth, and a subwoofer upgrade path, without paying for the larger R1700BT cabinets. | Listeners who want one pair for a desk and a small room, with Bluetooth for a phone and wired inputs for a computer. |
| Skip if | You need deep bass without adding a subwoofer, since these smaller cabinets trade low-end extension for desk fit. | Your desk is very small, since these bookshelf cabinets need real width and depth, or you want a subwoofer in the box. |
Strengths and limitations
Edifier R1280DBs, Wood Grain
Strengths
- Bluetooth, optical, and dual analogue inputs cover a computer, a television, and a phone, which is rare breadth at this level.
- The subwoofer output means the pair can grow: add a subwoofer later instead of replacing the whole system when bass starts to matter.
- The wood-grain cabinets and front-facing controls look considered on a desk, and the remote covers volume, mute, and input switching.
Limitations
- Bass is polite rather than powerful on its own, so film lovers should budget for a subwoofer or choose a 2.1 system from the start.
- The smaller drivers cannot fill a large room the way the R1700BT pair can, and they sound best at desk distance.
- The side-panel controls are fiddly to reach once the speakers are placed, so most owners end up relying on the remote.
Edifier R1700BT, Black
Strengths
- The larger cabinets and 4-inch drivers give music a fullness that compact USB pairs cannot match, with bass that sounds present rather than implied.
- Bluetooth plus wired inputs cover a computer, a phone, and a second source without swapping cables, and the included remote keeps volume and input changes within reach.
- The wooden enclosures look like proper bookshelf speakers rather than computer accessories, so the pair suits a living room shelf as well as a desk.
Limitations
- No subwoofer is included, so bass lovers who want deep film rumble will need to add one through the subwoofer output or choose a 2.1 system instead.
- The cabinets are wide for a crowded desk, and they sound best with some space around them rather than pushed hard against a wall.
- There is no USB audio input, so a computer connects over analogue or Bluetooth rather than a direct digital link.
How they fit the wider field
- Edifier R1280DBs, Wood Grain: ranked #4 (Best value) in The Best Computer Speakers.
- Edifier R1700BT, Black: ranked #1 (Best overall) in The Best Computer Speakers. Read the full Edifier R1700BT, Black review.
Neither one quite right? The full rankings cover 10 picks matched to different buyers.
Questions, answered
Which sounds better for music?
The R1700BT, by a clear margin for most listeners, since its larger drivers produce fuller bass and a more open sound. The R1280DBs is no disappointment, but it is a desk pair, while the R1700BT is a bookshelf pair that happens to fit on a desk.
Can both take a subwoofer later?
Yes, both have a subwoofer output, so either pair can gain bass without being replaced. The R1700BT needs one less urgently, since its own bass is stronger, while the R1280DBs benefits sooner and more obviously.
Do both include a remote?
Yes, both include a wireless remote for volume, mute, and input switching. The remotes differ in layout, but the convenience is the same, and both pairs can also be controlled from the computer volume.