We purchased the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers so that our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and review them. Read on for our full product review.

The Edifier R1280T powered bookshelf speakers strike a nice balance between affordability and high-quality sound. When we took them out of the box and connected them to a smartphone and aux cord, we were surprised at how full and substantial the sound quality was. But it’s not just the sound that impressed us, it’s the design too. A subtle wood tone and a unique light gray grille look great on a living room bookshelf. They do have their shortcomings, such as limited EQ controls and connectivity options, but overall, the Edifier R1280T impressed us.

Speakers generally aren’t designed to turn heads from a design perspective. Most budget options are essentially just plain black rectangles that sit next to your TV. And while that’s a design that has its merits, we were surprised by how good they looked when we pulled the R1280T out of the box. High-end brands like Sonos and Bose have made a name for themselves with sleek, small, beautiful speakers. The fact that a mid-range brand like Edifier had such a positive reaction made for a pleasant unboxing experience.

They’re about 9.5 inches tall and just under 6 inches wide, making them much smaller than your average shoebox. At about 7 inches deep, we found them to be a bit bulky on the longer side, so keep that in mind if you’re choosing speakers for a shallow shelf. The sides are made of a light brown wood that shows off the grain, giving these speakers a natural, almost ‘70s look. But the fabric grille on the front is a unique light gray with a thin, metallic accent line right down the center. That same color and material adorns the Edifier logo on the bottom.