Best desktop speakers
If the Edifier R1280T aren’t quite your style, don’t fret. We’ve rounded up all of the best computer speakers to help you choose exactly which model is right for you.
Bookcase speakers and desktop speakers and computer speakers and studio monitors are all kind of the same. Studio monitors have more connectivity inputs (like a TRS) and a flatter, more even sound, but you can still use them as everyday speakers or turntable speakers with a little EQ adjustment.
Bookshelf speakers generally are intended to be more casual speakers, which is perfect for me. The Edifier R1280DB bookshelf speakers are probably some of the most famous monitor speakers right now. Fortunately — or unfortunately, depending on your preference — those aren’t the speakers I’m talking about right now. I’m talking about the R1280DB’s younger sibling, the R1280T.
Fortunately, the 1280T will save you $40, and I don’t think enough people know about them. I tested them this week — and am listening to them as I type — and here’s why I am a new Edifier 1280T convert.
Boom boom bass
Bass is usually the #1 thing people want to know about audio gear. Does it shake my floors? Does it rattle my bones? Will I be able to feel the bass in my dreams?
However, usually I find bass a touch overrated. Don’t get me wrong, I love bass as much as the next person and if an audio product has lackluster bass I will rarely recommend it, but bass isn’t the be-all-and-end-all of audio. Sometimes it’s all in the details.
But the Edifier R1280T speakers get the balance just right. The frequencies are all harmonious and there’s no overpowering level. But if you want a little more oomph, there are separate adjustment dials for bass and treble.
These adjustment dials increase or decrease by 6dB, which is a little less than EQ settings on apps like Spotify. However, I don’t mind the smaller adjustment range. I think overpowering the bass EQ is actually detrimental to music quality. The producers and sound mixers already did that part for you, you get me?
Even with the smaller adjustment range, the Edifier R1280T’s bass performance is awesome. Even when you up the bass to the max, the lower frequency range doesn’t blow out and turn the track muddy. The bass is careful, yet infectious, and works in tandem with the rest of the frequency range instead of hulking out and stomping all over it.
This bass performance should (hopefully) impress both bass lovers and detail listeners. No detail is lost but you can still groove and shake the floors with these speakers, which is part of the reason why I love them so much.
Retro-nostalgia-semi-ugly-semi-cool-charm
Let me just say that I know pretty much all Hi-fi speakers (other than KEF) look like this. The R1280T are the expected level of boxy-ugly-stylish-charm. Even so, I can’t get enough of these speakers.
I was born in the late ’90s, so when I look at these speakers all I see is something that reminds me of my childhood. I don’t know if it’s the (removable) mesh covering, or the precise shade of wood veneer, but I can’t help but be reminded of a simpler time. Was playing the old Harry Potter PC games on my family desktop the highlight of my childhood? Maybe.
Anyway, thanks to the removable mesh casing, the Edifier R1280T speakers can be transformed from semi-ugly ’00s throwback tech to something a bit more modern and industrial. Personally, I prefer without the mesh casing.
This is the R1280T with the mesh casing (obviously), and you’ll find photographs of the sans-mesh above this section. Which version do you prefer? Let me know in the comments.
Grill-on or grill-off isn’t just an aesthetic choice, though. The mesh grill actually affects the performance of the speakers themselves.
First and foremost is the most obvious: if you want to protect the tweeters and woofers, then of course use the grills. If you want crisper-sounding treble, remove the grills. If you want a softer sound, then remove the grills.
Whatever you decide is completely up to you, of course.
No Bluetooth? No problem!
Right, so the only “con” (per se) with the Edifier R1280T speakers is the lack of Bluetooth. Personally, this is a non-issue. I previously used the Majority D40X speakers ($99), which do have Bluetooth. But did I ever use it? Heck no!
I’ve got Bluetooth speakers for my wireless, portable needs. When I’m sitting at my desk or listening to music properly, I don’t want to be using Bluetooth.
It’s well known that Bluetooth majorly disadvantages sound quality, so I don’t want to shoot my music in the foot when I’m working or checking out new tunes. I want high-quality, hi-res music, with a high-quality, hi-res connection.
As a result, I’m more than happy to use my aux cable plugged into my laptop to get the best-sounding music I can. I will also listen via Qobuz rather than Spotify, because Qobuz has tons of hi-res tracks on its music library.
If, like me, you love listening to new albums deeply (sometimes I lie on the floor and close my eyes just to absorb the the music), then you’ll definitely want to play via wired connection. For this situation, the Edifier R1280T speakers will 100% fit your needs.
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