Edifier R1280DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers - Optical Input - Wireless Studio Monitors - 4 Inch Near Field Speaker - 42w RMS - Black

This and its non-bluetooth cousin - the R1280T have been at the top of my list for a fair amount of time. I was pleased to see these available in India at a price that is marginally higher than the USD price overseas. This unit came in close to the Swan D1080-IV, and I admit that my final purchase was purely a financial decision. I have diverse tastes in music ranging from pop to Opera, and I listened to multiple genres to see how the R1280DB worked for me.My first test was a 320 kbps MP3 of Luciano Pavarotti singing Questa O Quella - a bouncy aria with voluminous orchestral accompaniment. These speakers performed beautifully, and the clarity of the sound and the ability to hear the details of the orchestral bits was impressive. Even at the extremes, sustained notes, at full volume, there was no sign of hissing, crackling, or distortion. There was minor muddling when the Orchestra went full-pelt but I suspect that had something to with the quality of the mp3 file. Encouraged by this first test, I continued. Next up was Take 5 by Dave Bruebeck via Apple Music. Again, the speakers did not disappoint. Even at about half volume, they filled by 24ft by 16ft living room with ease - no distortion at full volume. I followed this up with Moanin' by Charles Mingus, and was very pleased with the way the baritone-saxophone and the background chatter came through.I plugged in my CD player (a 1991-model Technics relic) using the provided RCA cable and popped in Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the moon. Outstanding is too weak a word. I can't imagine how a set so small - with no subwoofer - could generate that kind of range and clarity with both the bass and treble knobs set to zero. The intro of the album with the helicopters etc completely knocked my socks off. The source in this case was impeccable - a genuine CD on an audiophile-grade player brought out the best in this speaker set. With trembling fingers I reached for another CD - an orchestral collection and the opening bars from Janacek's Sinfonietta filled the air. Moments later, my joy was rudely interrupted by the doorbell - a horrid, horrid joke that shrieks like a puppy that's been run over by a car - unfortunately, that's the only doorbell that's effectively heard to the far ends of my somewhat expansive condo.It was a lady I've seen around my building perhaps even a resident of one of the other condos on my floor – her lithe frame all the more attractive in an LBD and heels. She seemed to smell faintly of wine."That was the piece that Murakami's 1Q84 opens with, right?" (yes, definitely of wine)I rolled my eyes. "Yes ma'am, now if you don't mi...""Why, thanks!" she brushed past me and sauntered into my condo."Well, actually, I hoped you would leave." I said somewhat irritated - I was eager to get back to my test of the Edifier R 1280 DB.She giggled, half-hiding her mouth "You're funny. I like that. Let it play."I sighed and un-paused the music and we were back in Sinfonietta. Unfortunately for me at this point, she caught sight of my wife's 12 Murakami novels stacked between Higashino and Palahniuk on the second shelf of our book-case."I'm in love." she stated quite matter-of-factly."Well, I'm flattered, but there's a slight problem with that… I'm married.""It's never been a problem in Murakami-land. All his male characters have girlfriends who are married."“Er – I’m the male.”“Oh, I’m married too.” She said without taking her eyes off the books.“Ah.”Thanks to Janacek and the Edifier R1280 DB, there was no room for an awkward silence.“Now that we’re going to be lovers and all, won’t you offer me a drink?” she asked.“What? Lovers? Unlikely. But yes, you may have a drink. What have you been drinking by the way?”“Come here and find out.”“What?”She stepped forward, grabbed me around the waist and kissed me – pushing her tongue deep into my mouth. I needed a gulp of air by the time she was done, but I knew what she had been drinking. Certainly a sweet red, somewhat robust, Malbec? Beaujolais? A Lambrusco Dolce? Always one to offer the best to my guests, I shuffled to my wine cooler and selected a bottle of one of my nicer Lambruscos. She sidled up to me and inspected the bottle as I polished two wine glasses for us.“Lambrusco, Lambrusco Dolce...” she said in the exaggerated Italian accent that makes waiters in the touristy parts of Italy grind their teeth. “See, we’re soulmates.”Thankfully, that was the last she said about this soulmates business so I could concentrate on the music. Janacek was done, we listened to a bit of Bach while we made our way through the Lambrusco, and here too, the Edifier R1280DB performed admirably – Pipe organ music is challenging for even audiophile-grade sets and the R1280DB was able to fill the room with everything from the trilling to the booming of Bach’s syncopated music. Outstanding.Next, I opened a bottle of Beaujolais, and laid out an olive and cheese plate. Nothing too complicated – black and green olives, and a few slices of Gouda and Brie, and about a quarter Camembert. Perhaps the effects of a half-bottle of wine on an empty stomach had begun to affect the both of us, but as the firm notes from John Coltrane filled the air, we ended up lounging on the carpet in a sort of a cuddle. More wine (another Beaujolais, but a cheaper one this time). Then there was plenty of Thelonious Monk from her Apple Music, more of Charles Mingus, though she was doing most of the Moanin’ by this point. Which brings me to the only flaw in the Edifier R1280DB. Any Bluetooth device that can see the speakers can connect to it, which makes it easy for your somewhat intoxicated guest to take over your evening of music. The last thing I remember about that night is trying to sing along to Frank Sinatra's My Way with my new lady friend.I woke before her and made her breakfast. By the time I had the coffee ready she had woken too and had gotten dressed. Through our quick coffee and toast with scrambled eggs and Norwegian smoked salmon, Stacey Kent on the Edifier R1280DB kept the awkward silence at bay. Even with Stacey Kent, the speakers were amazing - it certainly felt like Ms. Kent was standing just behind us, cooing gently to the music of a piano that someone had miraculously been able to maneuver into my kitchen.It was only when I was half way to the airport to pick up my wife that I realized that I hadn’t even got her name.TLDR: Great speaker set, and won’t disappoint you in casual listening *provided you use a high-quality source* like genuine CDs or FLAC music on an audiophile grade player. The only flaw in this set is that any Bluetooth device that can see this set can connect without a password.

Have been using it for the past 5 years, no issues so far. Really nice product, you will be satisfied with the quality of the sound and the product. I am not sure about other competetors product at this price point now though

I have given 5 star for sound quality, 4 star for volume control and 3 star for value for money.Reason with Pros and cons.Pros:1. The output is very crystal clear for normal songs like if you are into Romantic songs, pop music, Rock music, classic Rock, punk Rock and other all genra that doesnt push too much bass.2. Looks : mind blowing when placed on a shelf without its grills.3. Connects through all the output options like optical, aux etc.Cons:1. Its a chinese brand.2. If you are buying these speakers just to watch movies to get a theater like experience and planning to place them in a hall. Then beaware these are not meant for bigger halls more then 12x15 in size. Because they are just 42 watt speakers in total and when you play movies in Netflix or any other Online application these speakers are not loud enough to give you a theater like experience. If a room is small then yes they are loud but not that much for theater feel, not at all.Above case is not true for Music they are enough louder, its just movies for which you need to play in full volume and still you wont get enough.3. Not meant for Bass music lovers like R&B, Hiphop music etc. They have a very good bass but not deep enough for those who are bass head. And when I say deep bass that means Booooooooooom booooooooooom like bass that can give headche to one who doesnt like too much bass, its not there.4. Little heavy.5. Value for money? Mmm its little pricey because of its. Lack of output when you watch movies, i purchased it for INR 9499. They should have output of 80-100 watts at this price.