Do you already have high-quality speakers at home whose sound you are absolutely satisfied with? But the connectivity is not really modern and Bluetooth is missing? No problem, that’s where the WiiM Mini comes in. Weighing just 40 grams, this plastic puck has more to offer than it first appears: Because thanks to its integrated preamplifier, it not only upgrades audio performance, but also catapults dusty audio devices into the 21st century thanks to Bluetooth, Alexa compatibility and Wi-Fi streaming of lossless audio. We took a closer look at the Edifier R1280T WiiM Mini combination in our test.
Technical specifications
| Product: | R1280T |
| Dimensions (H x W x D): | 213 mm x 212 mm x 130 mm |
| Weight: | 4.9 kg |
| Frequency range | 52 Hz – 20,000 Hz |
| Signal-to-noise ratio: | > 85 dB(A) |
| Tweeter: | 0.5 inch |
| Mid-woofer: | 4 inch |
| Power output: | 42 watts total power |
| Connection: | 2x RCA |
| Price: | € 107.25 * |
| Product: | WiiM Mini |
| Dimensions (H x W x D): | 24 mm x 69 mm x 69 mm |
| Weight: | 40 g |
| Audio codecs: | MP3, AAC, ALAC, APE, FLAC, WAV, WMA, OGG |
| Wi-Fi: | Dual-band Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) |
| Bluetooth: | Bluetooth 5.0 (SBC and AAC) |
| Connections | Line In, Line Out, TOSLINK, USB-C |
| Special features: | Three-color status LED, capacitive touch field |
| Price: | € 106.99 * |
Edifier R1280T WiiM Mini Review: Design and workmanship
- high-quality and elegant bookshelf speakers
- feather-light and handy WiiM Mini
- all cables included; but power adapter for WiiM Mini missing
Basically, we have to divide the Edifier R1280T WiiM Mini test into two parts. On the one hand, the bundle contains the high-quality R1280T bookshelf speakers from Edifier, which were released back in 2017 and already impressed at the time with excellent sound at an unbeatable price, but lacked wireless connectivity and modern features.
On the other hand, there is the WiiM Mini, which consistently eliminates precisely this point of criticism and, with dimensions of 69 mm x 24 mm x 69 mm and a weight of around 40 grams, is absolutely inconspicuous.
There is not much to say about the design and workmanship of Edifier’s 2.0 bookshelf speakers. As is typical of the manufacturer, they are of a very high quality, look excellent and are impeccably finished. The speakers have a chic wooden look and have three rotary controls on the right-hand side of the right speaker, which can be used to adjust the bass, treble and volume.
The gray plastic front panel can be removed if you prefer the open driver look, while four rubber feet on the underside ensure a secure stand. The on/off switch is located on the back of the right speaker, alongside analog connections and the permanently installed power cable.
The WiiM Mini is not quite as elegant and eye-catching. The plastic puck doesn’t feel really high-quality either, but it serves its purpose and has more to offer technically than it initially appears.
The Mini has a matt gray housing with a glossy black touch surface that can be used to decrease and increase the volume and pause and resume playback. There is also a rubberized underside to prevent the featherweight player from slipping on surfaces.
The connections on the back are interesting. In addition to AUX In and AUX Out, the player comes with a USB-C port and an optical output (SPID Out) so that it can be used as a player for all common platforms that have corresponding ports.
It’s not the world and the handy device lacks an RJ45 LAN connection, but we didn’t really miss it in the Edifier R1280T WiiM Mini test. If you want this, as well as a digital coax output, you’ll have to go for the much larger (and more expensive) WiiM Pro.
Almost all potentially required cables are included in the scope of delivery, which is very commendable. The manufacturer has only omitted a power supply unit, which is essential for use. The Mini draws power via the USB-C port.
Commissioning, operation and practical test
- quick and easy to wire up
- Setup via smartphone app works perfectly
Once you have a suitable power adapter ready, you can get started. Setting up the Edifier R1280T WiiM Mini combo is very simple. Connect the speakers together, supply them with power and then connect the WiiM Mini to the speakers (or any other audio devices such as a record player, amplifier, soundbar or TV) using the AUX cable provided.
Now supply the WiiM Mini with power via USB and you’re ready to go. The preamplifier is switched on by pressing and holding the “Play” button for 3 seconds. Bluetooth pairing can be initiated by pressing the volume down and volume up buttons for two seconds.
Once this is done, the WiiM Home app, which is available free of charge for Android and iOS, continues. This recognizes the Mini immediately after starting it up and begins the setup process without the need to register.
Once you have set the output, the WLAN needs to be set up. After a short firmware update, the WiiM Mini starts a short test of the latency of the audio path. Then, if desired, Amazon Alexa can be set up. Once this is done, the setup process is complete.
Operation and practical test
While the speakers can be operated at least rudimentarily using the included remote control and the three controls on the side, the WiiM Mini app is much more convenient. All parameters of the combination of player and hi-res audio streamer can be controlled here.
In a tidy interface, you can influence the sound with the help of a graphic 10-band equalizer or a parametric EQ, for example. Or simply select one of the many presets. Professionals can go into great detail with the audio settings and adjust the aux output level, balance or audio channels, for example.
The resolution of the SPDIF output can also be adjusted here. High-resolution playback at 192 kHZ and 24 bit is even possible, so that audiophile users will also get their money’s worth.
The Mini also supports MQA for encrypted high-res files. Music streaming provider Tidal is now gradually replacing its MQA content with FLAC, which the WiiM Mini is of course also able to play back in the highest possible resolution – but Tidal still has a large MQA database.
It is also possible to add music streaming services such as Tidal, Spotify or Amazon Music as well as other apps such as TuneIn, Napster, SoundCloud and many more within the app and thus control all media in one place. Only Apple Music is missing from the list.
Thanks to its Wi-Fi connection, the Mini can also play music from a smartphone or even a NAS via the app. There are therefore no limits to network streaming. AirPlay 2 is also offered, which covers streaming to multiple audio devices simultaneously. Setting up a wireless multi-room system is child’s play.
Great improvement in sound
The Edifier R1280T are already very good sounding bookshelf speakers out of the box, with a rich sound, deep bass and clear highs in the price range up to 150 euros. However, the WiiM Mini significantly improves the acoustics even further.
The small high-res audio streamer owes this above all to the built-in TI stereo DAC, which enables playback in 192 kHz with 24 bits and a very high dynamic range and very low noise thanks to a signal-to-noise ratio of 106 dB.
In fact, the Mini improves the sound so noticeably that the network can also keep up with significantly more expensive sound systems. What comes out of the 2.0 speakers is absolutely impressive and far above the actual price range. Insane.
Especially as you can use the detailed equalizer and numerous presets to significantly influence the acoustics and, for example, bring the bass to the fore or boost the treble. The WiiM Mini and the Edifier R1280T work so reliably that even the low bass segment is pleasantly detailed at high volumes and the treble doesn’t tend to be over-exaggerated.
The streaming solutions in the Bluesound Node series deliver even more detail, which is particularly audible in the mids and lower trebles. However, with an RRP starting at 549 euros, they also cost more than five times as much as the WiiM Mini.
For a bundle price of around 200 euros, the Edifier 1280T WiiM Mini perform well above their price range and deliver an absolutely impressive sound stage.
Of course, the Mini’s diverse playback options are also particularly practical. Because not only speakers, AV systems or soundbars can be connected. Thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, the little puck can also connect directly to Bluetooth headphones and speakers, for example, to improve their sound quality.
Edifier R1280T WiiM Mini Review: Conclusion
In my opinion, the Edifier 1280T WiiM Mini bundle is an outstanding duo. On the one hand, you get really high-quality and sonically convincing 2.0 bookshelf speakers that, despite their advanced age, are still worth an absolute recommendation today and play a leading role in the price range up to 150 euros.
On the other hand, the WiiM Mini takes the dusty connectivity of the speakers to a whole new level and allows playback via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, even in a multi-room setup.
In this way, the network achieves a sound quality that can compete with modern loudspeakers that are three to four times more expensive. And at an absolutely unbeatable price of around 200 euros. Especially as the audio streamer gives you many more options, such as connecting Bluetooth headphones, soundbars or televisions and expanding the sound to 192 kHz at 24 bit.
The fact that the WiiM Mini doesn’t necessarily feel particularly high-quality is, in my opinion, completely acceptable given the sound performance on offer, as the handy puck only functions as a base or transmitter anyway. The connection of all streaming and music services, centrally via the app, is also pleasing. Even if Apple Music is left out.
Edifier R1280T WiiM Mini
Design & Workmanship
Features
Usability
Sound Quality
Value For Money
92/100
The WiiM Mini not only improves the connectivity, but also the sound of the impressive Edifier 1280T to such an extent that the duo can easily keep up with much more expensive speakers. Absolutely impressive.
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