When setting up a sound system, bookshelf speakers often provide the sweet spot between performance and practicality. Today, we're comparing two popular but very different options: the budget-friendly Edifier R1280TS ($120) and the more premium Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M ($350).
Bookshelf speakers are compact audio units designed to fit on shelves, desks, or stands. Despite their modest size, they can deliver impressive sound quality when properly designed and positioned. The key is understanding what you need them for - are you primarily listening to music, watching movies, or gaming?
Good bookshelf speakers should provide:
One of the biggest differences between our contenders is their power configuration. The Edifier R1280TS is an active (powered) speaker, meaning it has built-in amplifiers. You just plug it into power and your audio source, and you're ready to go.
The Klipsch RP-600M is passive, requiring an external amplifier. While this means additional cost and complexity, it also provides flexibility to upgrade your amp later or match it perfectly to your needs.
Released in 2020 as an update to the popular R1280T, these speakers brought some welcome improvements:
The sound signature is balanced and pleasant, with enough detail to enjoy most music genres. The built-in amplifier delivers 42 watts RMS (Root Mean Square - a measure of continuous power), which is plenty for desktop use or small rooms.
From personal experience, these speakers excel at near-field listening (when you're sitting close to them). They're particularly good for:
Released in 2018 and updated in 2023 with the RP-600M II, these speakers represent Klipsch's signature sound quality in a bookshelf format. Key features include:
The sound is detailed and dynamic, with impressive bass for their size. The horn-loaded tweeter (a Klipsch trademark) helps create precise imaging and excellent detail in the high frequencies.
For home theater, both speakers can work well but in different scenarios:
The R1280TS works best in:
The RP-600M excels in:
For music, the differences become more apparent:
The R1280TS provides good, enjoyable sound that works well for casual listening. Bass is present but not overwhelming, and the overall presentation is pleasant if not highly detailed.
The RP-600M offers notably better performance:
The value proposition isn't just about the initial price. The R1280TS at $120 includes everything you need to start listening. The RP-600M at $350 requires an amplifier, which could add $200-500 or more to the total cost.
However, the RP-600M offers:
Choose the R1280TS if:
Choose the RP-600M if:
Both speakers serve their intended purposes well, but they're aimed at different users. The R1280TS is perfect for someone wanting good sound without complexity or high cost. The RP-600M is for the enthusiast who wants exceptional sound quality and is willing to invest in a proper system.
From my experience testing both, the R1280TS is remarkably capable for its price, while the RP-600M demonstrates why some people choose to invest more in their audio equipment. The decision really comes down to your specific needs, budget, and how much you value audio quality.
Remember, whichever you choose, proper placement and room acoustics play a huge role in getting the best sound from your speakers. Take time to position them correctly and experiment with placement - it's free and can make a significant difference in your listening experience.
| Edifier R1280TS ($120) | Klipsch RP-600M ($350) |
|---|---|
| Power Type - Determines system complexity and upgrade path | |
| Active/Powered (plug-and-play) | Passive (requires separate amplifier) |
| Total System Cost - Real cost to get running | |
| $120 complete | $550-850 (including required amplifier) |
| Sensitivity - Impacts how much power needed and max volume | |
| Not specified (built-in 42W amp) | 96dB (very efficient, easy to drive) |
| Frequency Response - Range of sounds speaker can reproduce | |
| 52Hz - 20kHz (good for size) | 45Hz - 25kHz (deeper bass, extended highs) |
| Driver Size - Affects bass capability and overall volume | |
| 4" woofer, 13mm tweeter | 6.5" woofer, 1" tweeter (notably more powerful) |
| Connectivity - Flexibility in setup | |
| Dual RCA inputs, sub-out | Binding posts (bi-wire capable) |
| Room Size Suitability - Where they work best | |
| Small rooms, desktop (up to 150 sq ft) | Medium to large rooms (up to 400 sq ft) |
| Use Case Sweet Spot - Where each excels | |
| Desktop, gaming, casual listening | Critical listening, home theater, music |
| Future Upgrade Path - Long term value | |
| Limited to adding subwoofer | Full system flexibility, component upgrades |
| Setup Complexity - Time from box to music | |
| 5 minutes, plug and play | 30+ minutes, requires amp selection/setup |
The Klipsch RP-600M ($350) is significantly better for home theater use due to its higher power handling, deeper bass response, and ability to integrate with larger home theater systems. The Edifier R1280TS ($120) is better suited for small rooms or desktop setups.
The Edifier R1280TS is powered/active, meaning it has built-in amplification - just plug and play. The Klipsch RP-600M is passive and requires a separate amplifier or receiver to function.
The Klipsch RP-600M has superior bass response with its larger 6.5" driver and lower frequency extension to 45Hz. While the Edifier R1280TS has decent bass for its size, it's more limited with its 4" driver reaching only to 52Hz.
The Klipsch RP-600M can be perfectly integrated into a surround system with matching Klipsch speakers. The Edifier R1280TS isn't designed for surround sound integration due to its powered nature.
The Klipsch RP-600M offers better movie performance with higher dynamic range and output capability, making it ideal for movie effects and dialogue. The Edifier R1280TS works for casual movie watching but lacks the power for true home theater impact.
The Klipsch RP-600M can fill medium to large rooms up to 400 square feet. The Edifier R1280TS is best for small rooms under 150 square feet or desktop use.
The Edifier R1280TS can connect directly to a TV using RCA outputs. The Klipsch RP-600M requires an AV receiver or amplifier between the TV and speakers.
The Edifier R1280TS offers better immediate value as a complete solution at $120. The Klipsch RP-600M provides superior performance but requires additional amplifier investment, making total cost $550+.
Both can work with subwoofers. The Edifier R1280TS has a dedicated subwoofer output. The Klipsch RP-600M can be integrated with a subwoofer through an AV receiver or amplifier's crossover.
The Klipsch RP-600M has superior dialogue clarity due to its horn-loaded tweeter design and better midrange performance. The Edifier R1280TS provides adequate clarity for casual listening.
The Edifier R1280TS setup takes minutes - just connect power and audio sources. The Klipsch RP-600M requires more setup time, including amplifier selection, connection, and proper positioning.
Neither speaker is designed specifically for wall mounting. Both the Edifier R1280TS and Klipsch RP-600M perform best on stands or solid surfaces away from walls for optimal sound quality.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: elusivedisc.com - youtube.com - edifier.online - edifier.com - edifier.com - youtube.com - edifier-online.com - edifier-online.com - f072605def1c9a5ef179-a0bc3fbf1884fc0965506ae2b946e1cd.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com - erinsaudiocorner.com - stereophile.com - klipsch.com - adorama.com - assets.klipsch.com - bhphotovideo.com
