A Tale of Two Bookshelf Speakers: Premium Passive vs. Budget Active

Understanding Modern Bookshelf Speakers

When it comes to compact home audio, bookshelf speakers remain one of the most versatile and popular choices. Today we're comparing two very different approaches - the premium Bowers & Wilkins 707 S2 at $959 and the budget-friendly Edifier R1280DB at $149. While both are technically "bookshelf speakers," they represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of technology, performance, and intended use.

Bookshelf speakers get their name from their compact size, though ironically they often perform better on dedicated stands. The category has evolved significantly over the past decade, with traditional passive speakers like the B&W 707 S2 focusing on acoustic excellence, while active speakers like the Edifier R1280DB integrate amplification and modern connectivity.

The Technology Inside

The B&W 707 S2 represents the cutting edge of passive speaker design. Its Carbon Dome tweeter (the small driver handling high frequencies) pushes the breakup threshold - the point where the driver starts to distort - to an impressive 47kHz, well beyond human hearing. This means incredibly clean, detailed highs without harshness. The larger Continuum cone (handling mid and low frequencies) uses a proprietary woven material that provides more natural, controlled sound compared to traditional materials like Kevlar or aluminum.

In contrast, the Edifier R1280DB takes a more conventional approach with a silk dome tweeter and standard composite woofer, but adds built-in amplification rated at 21 watts per channel. While this doesn't match the absolute performance potential of the B&W's drivers, it creates an efficient, practical system that's ready to play right out of the box.

Sound Quality Deep Dive

Detail and Clarity

The B&W 707 S2 excels at revealing minute details in music. You'll hear subtle breaths from vocalists, the slight scrape of fingers on guitar strings, and the natural decay of instruments in a way that creates an incredibly lifelike presentation. This level of resolution comes from both superior driver materials and careful engineering of the crossover (the circuit that splits frequencies between drivers).

The Edifier R1280DB delivers good clarity for its price point but can't match the B&W's resolution. Fine details are somewhat smoothed over, and complex passages can become slightly confused. However, for casual listening and background music, many users might not notice these limitations.

Soundstage and Imaging

"Soundstage" refers to the speaker's ability to create a three-dimensional space where instruments and vocals appear to come from specific locations. The B&W 707 S2 creates a remarkably precise soundstage with excellent "imaging" - you can close your eyes and point to exactly where each instrument appears to be. This is helped by the speaker's Flowport technology, which reduces port noise and allows for cleaner bass without muddying the midrange.

The Edifier provides decent stereo separation but lacks the same precise positioning and depth. The soundstage is more two-dimensional, though still enjoyable for most content.

Bass Response

Despite their small size, the B&W 707 S2 produces surprisingly deep, controlled bass down to about 50Hz. The quality of the bass is exceptional - tight, detailed, and never boomy. For home theater use, you'll likely want to add a subwoofer, but for music they're quite capable on their own.

The Edifier's bass is punchy but less controlled. It doesn't extend as deep and can become somewhat loose at higher volumes. However, it provides enough low-end impact for most music genres and casual movie watching.

Integration and Connectivity

The fundamental difference between these speakers becomes most apparent when considering system integration. The B&W 707 S2 requires an external amplifier, typically starting around $500 for a quality match. This adds cost but provides flexibility - you can choose an amp that matches your preferences and upgrade over time. They work particularly well in home theater systems where they can be part of a larger matched set of speakers.

The Edifier R1280DB is a complete solution with Bluetooth, optical, coaxial, and RCA inputs. This makes it incredibly versatile - connect your TV via optical, your phone via Bluetooth, and a turntable via RCA all at once. The included remote control adds convenience, though it's fairly basic.

Value and Long-Term Considerations

While the price difference is substantial, it's important to consider long-term value. The B&W 707 S2 represents an investment in superior sound quality that should last decades with proper care. The build quality is exceptional, and the passive design means there's no internal electronics to become obsolete.

The Edifier R1280DB offers remarkable value for its feature set and performance level. However, the integrated amplifier means potential failure points, and the Bluetooth technology will eventually become dated. Still, for many users, the immediate satisfaction and convenience will outweigh these long-term considerations.

How to Decide

Choose the B&W 707 S2 if:

• Sound quality is your top priority
• You're building a high-end system over time
• You already have or plan to buy a quality amplifier
• Critical listening is important to you
• You want speakers that will last decades

Choose the Edifier R1280DB if:

• You want an immediate, complete solution
• Budget is a major consideration
• You need multiple input options
• Space is limited
• Convenience matters more than ultimate sound quality

Real-World Performance Notes

In practice, the B&W 707 S2 requires careful setup to perform their best. Proper positioning, high-quality speaker wire, and a well-matched amplifier are essential. When these conditions are met, they deliver a truly exceptional listening experience that can rival much larger speakers.

The Edifier R1280DB is more forgiving of placement and setup. While they benefit from proper positioning, they'll sound good in most situations. The built-in tone controls allow some adjustment to match room acoustics or personal preference.

Final Thoughts

These speakers represent different solutions to different problems. The B&W 707 S2 is for the discerning listener seeking excellence in sound reproduction, while the Edifier R1280DB offers a practical, feature-rich solution for everyday listening. Neither is inherently "better" - they simply serve different needs and budgets.

For home theater use, the B&W speakers integrate better into a larger system and offer superior performance, but the Edifier's optical input and convenient remote make it a viable budget solution for TV audio.

The choice ultimately depends on your priorities, budget, and how you plan to use the speakers. Both represent good value in their respective categories, just with very different approaches to delivering sound.

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