Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Edifier speakers... Who the heck are they and why don't more people know about them? Let me start by saying that I purchased these as a hold over until I could justify tube amps and quality passive bookshelf speakers (Okay, I really mean wives approval) but these make me question even going down that road. I was pleasantly surprised by the faithful sound reproduction, I mean I really wasn't expecting such full and rich sound from a $99 pair of speakers. I was so happy with them that I thought to myself that if the smaller R1280T is this good, what does the R1700BT sound like? Short answer... about the same but brighter. Yes it may reproduce lows better at lower volumes but I assure you that at 50-100% power it's hardly a noticeable difference and I prefer the warmer natural tweeter in the R1280T over it's more expensive big brother. I personally will be sending the R1700BT's back because the set I received is having some issues with the power switch. The R1700BT does have bluetooth and that alone can justify the additional cost, but you are also getting a larger amp as well making it a solid purchase. The looks of the R1700BT are modern compared to that of the R1280T being retro in my opinion. The R1700BT Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers - Active Near-field Studio Monitors - Powered Speakers 2.0 Setup Wooden Enclosure - 66w RMS is a great speaker with bluetooth, more power and a great price. But for me it was not the softer more natural sounding performer that the R1280T is. I did test these on my TV as well... Let me tell you that if you have a sound bar like I do (or should I say did), you have no idea of what you are missing. The money I spent on sound bars looking for the cleanest and easiest way to improve TV sound, I could have that tube amp set up a couple times over. However; it is kind of a pain since your TV remote cannot be programed to control the speakers, but if your TV has variable audio out you are golden! I like them so much I'll be ordering another set of these (R1280T's) for my TV. I took some photos of the two side by side as there is really not much difference in size. The R1700BT was basically the same height and width but with a sloped front that brings the base out a bit further. IMO, unnecessarily extending the depth. Either speaker is a winner in my opinion! Set up: U-turn Orbit Special Turntable w/built-in preamp and these Edifier R1280T Powered speakers... End of set up, and I love it!