Q Acoustics 3020 Bookshelf Speaker PairQ Acoustics 3020 Bookshelf Speaker Pair

10 Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $500 – For Your Tight Budget

The Best Affordable Bookshelf Speakers to Watch Out

 

A bookshelf speaker is more than a pair of stereo speakers. It will fill any room with rich sound despite its size. Indeed, this type of speaker is so versatile and efficient, and because of this, it has become very expensive.

Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $500 ELAC DB62-BK - A Best Bookshelf Speakers Under 500
ELAC DB62-BK – The Best Bookshelf Speakers Under 500 – Photo from Amazon

But there’s still hope for the budget audiophile. If you are in the market for the best bookshelf speakers under $500, then these ten speakers will surely fit your tight budget.


#1. ELAC DB62-BK Bookshelf Speakers

Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $500 ELAC DB62-BK Bookshelf Speakers

The ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers belong to the latest Debut 2.0 line-up which means its equipped with updated features. Inside Debut 2.0 speakers are new and improved 1” soft-dome tweeter which includes a wide-roll surround sound. You’ll extend the frequency response beyond 35KHz.

It comes with improved internal bracing that minimizes vibration, and this contributes to better sound quality. You’ll get an improved woofer for a smoother high-frequency response with clean bass.

You don’t need to turn the speaker around to access its ports too. The front-firing port feature lets you connect easily and avoid placing the speaker close to the wall, which can ruin overall sound quality.

Conclusion: The Debut 2.0 B6.2 bookshelf speakers are an improvement of ELAC’s popular bookshelf speaker systems. It has updated components for improved sound quality plus a new front-firing ports design. This pair of black bookshelves will improve music enjoyment despite some flaws. It could be the bookshelf speaker you need with your tight budget.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Pros
  • Improved tweeter design
  • New front-firing design
  • Improved internal bracing
  • Improved woofer design
  • With clean bass and wide-roll surround
Cons
  • Not for low volume listening
  • Complaints that it’s too heavy

 


#2. Swans Speakers–M200MKIII+ Bookshelf Speakers

Swans Speakers-M200MKIII+ Bookshelf Speaker

The Swans Speakers M200MKIII is a lovely pair of bookshelf speakers that you can easily control wirelessly using Bluetooth. You’ll enjoy listening to good music with this pair of bookshelves with its improved long-throw, mid-range woofer, and improved power output.

These speakers come with a redesigned four-channel amplifier, bi-amped tweeter, and woofer for enhanced nominal power. Your purchase comes with gold-plated wire cables so you can easily connect to the system’s 4-channel filter system. It comes with remote control, but you may also adjust the bass, treble, and volume from a front control panel.

Conclusion: The Swans Speakers M200MKIII is a Bluetooth bookshelf speaker that wirelessly or using a wired system. It has an improved design, increased power output, deeper bass, and easy controls and connection. There may be some flaws, but despite these, the M200MKIII may just be the right bookshelf speakers for your needs.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Pros
  • With new internal design
  • With cool case design
  • Remote control & front-panel control
  • Improved power output
  • Deeper bass and longer throw
Cons
  • Needs a break-in period
  • Complaints with Bluetooth connections

#3. Polk Audio RTI A3 Bookshelf Speakers

Polk Audio RTI A3 Bookshelf Speakers

Enjoy your favorite tunes with this pair of wooden bookshelves with enhanced speaker materials and designs. It is made from MDF with enhanced resonance-free design. It comes with an improved material, this time from a balanced polymer composite cone.

You’ll finally appreciate its unique Power Port system that can reduce port noise and chuff. High and low sounds, will never escape your ear with this Polk Audio Bluetooth bookshelf speakers.

Conclusion: The Polk Audio RTI A3 was made using light but durable MDF material and has been enhanced with an updated tweeter and surround sound features. Play music all day long, and these will remain cool with an improved liquid cooling and heatsink system. It may be the pair you’re looking for that fits your budget.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Pros
  • All wood, MDF construction
  • Easy to install and connect
  • Improved enclosures and components
  • New cooling system
  • The rich and smooth outer surface
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Cons
  • No remote controls
  • Does not connect via Bluetooth

#4. Edifier S1000DB Audiophile Active Bookshelf Speakers

Edifier S1000DB Audiophile Active Bookshelf Speakers

With a cool retro look, the Edifier S1000DB is more than just eye-candy. It offers improved sound quality with DSP technology. You can stream music wirelessly from your device to these pairs of bookshelf speakers using Bluetooth 4.0.

It allows you to connect to different sources at the same time with multiple inputs optical, coaxial, and aux. You can easily control these speakers because sit comes with remote control. The Edifier Audiophile Active is covered by a 2-year warranty in Canada and the USA.

Conclusion: The Edifier S1000DB Audiophile Active Bookshelf Speakers can connect using Bluetooth so you can stream music and audio uninterruptedly while preserving sound quality. It has multiple outputs to let you connect using wires as well. It offers enhanced sound quality with its DSP technology. And with its remote control, you can play and control these speakers even if you are located across the room. This is a budget bookshelf speaker to check out this year.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Connects via Bluetooth 4.0
  • With more connections
  • Equipped with DSP technology
  • Comes with remote control
  • Covered with a 2-year warranty
Cons
  • Poor Bluetooth connectivity
  • Complaints of poor low volume audio performance
  • No control panel on the speakers

#5. Bose 301-V Stereo Loudspeakers

Bose 301-V Stereo Loudspeakers

How can these small speakers perform better than an average bookshelf speaker? Bose 301-V’ss secret lies in its Spatial Dispersion feature which improves high-frequency spatial response and sound distribution. The left and right speakers offer exceptional sound performance when used in a home theater system.

Each speaker offers enhanced bass reflex for improved impact. It is designed with an automatic protection circuitry so you can prevent overdriven drivers. You’ll get reliable sound, good quality, and a unique horizontal bookshelf design. And if you need to clean and maintain these speakers, the removable grill will allow you to maintain these better.

Conclusion: The Bose 301-V is a pair of stereo loudspeakers with a unique horizontal design. The modern design fits any bookshelf and offers improved performance as a left and right speaker in a home theater system. You’ll get improved woofers that deliver clean and striking low frequencies. Despite some flaws, it remains a good budget speaker for your audio needs.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Unique horizontal design
  • With Spatial Dispersion feature
  • Works well as L&R speakers
  • Removable grill
  • Automatic circuit protection
Cons
  • Not Bluetooth capable
  • No remote control
  • Limited connections
  • Too small

#6. ELAC Uni-fi UB5 Bookshelf Speaker

ELAC Uni-fi UB5 Bookshelf Speaker

The ELAC Uni-fi bookshelf speaker is ideal for use with a home theater system with its improved, custom-made concentric diver for improved performance. It has a simple, minimalistic design but inside is a 5 ¼ -inch aluminum woofer to give you powerful bass despite the size. Inside is a new and improved crossover design with a well-braced cabinet to deliver impressive audio experience.

You have more precise sound thanks to its True 3-Way Design, better and more effective than other speakers with a 2-way design. There are no controls because everything is done through the home theater system.

Conclusion: The Uni-fi bookshelf speaker is for home theater use and brings impressive results when it comes to audio quality, performance, frequency response, and sensitivity. It has an improved speaker system design, even the cabinet is sturdier to enhance sound quality. It does not have individual speaker controls, but despite this, it remains a good bookshelf speaker system to use at home or your office.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Improved 3-Way design
  • Enhanced concentric driver
  • Improved aluminum woofer
  • Sturdier cabinet bracing
  • Sleek minimalistic design
Cons
  • No speaker controls
  • No remote control
  • Connects to a receiver only

#7. MartinLogan LX16 Piano Black Bookshelf Speakers

MartinLogan LX16 Piano Black (Ea.) Bookshelf Speaker

The MartinLogan LX16 bookshelf speaker has a unique design with a perforated steel grille. The cabinet is constructed from 3/4-inch MDF which minimizes unnecessary noise and vibrations. Under the grill, the drivers are secured with a solid, anodized aluminum baffle.

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The tweeters and woofers have been redesigned with an improved topology crossover system with low-DF electrolytic capacitors, wound inductors and thermal plus current protection.

You can get this bookshelf speaker in two high-gloss colors or finishes: piano black and black cherry wood. Take note that this is a single speaker and not a pair of bookshelf speakers.

Conclusion: The MartinLogan LX16 has a stylish, old-school design and comes in two colors, piano black, and black cherry wood. This has an improved design with an advanced crossover network. The Motion LX Series has updated binding posts and improved connections. But with all these cool features, this is sold as a single speaker.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • With the signature steel grille
  • Improved tweeters and woofer design
  • More versatile connections
  • Two lovely colors
  • Improved topology crossover network
Cons
  • Sold as a single speaker
  • No controls on the speaker
  • No remote control

#8. Audioengine A5 Plus Classic 150W Powered Bookshelf Speakers

Audioengine A5 Plus Classic 150W Powered Bookshelf Speakers

The Audioengine A5 Plus Classic is a pair of bookshelf speakers with a modern-classic style. It is a custom-powered speaker that offers a clear and full audio experience with its A5+ features. It comes with customized Audioengine parts, aramid fiber subwoofers, silk tweeters and power amps in precise, hand-crafted cabinets.

The Audioengine A5 Plus has RCA and 3.5mm inputs and a subwoofer output. It is compatible with almost all devices like gaming consoles, DVD players, Blu-ray players, laptops, PCs, TVs, and more. There’s no need to set it up in your computer network or use passwords too. Just plug and use.

These bookshelf speakers come with a solid aluminum remote control, but you may also use the front panel controls to adjust the volume.

Conclusion: The Audioengine A5 Plus Classic bookshelf speakers are custom-powered bookshelf speakers with enhanced audio input, improved materials, and improved connectivity. It is easy to set up with no need to go to your computer network. Your purchase comes with wires, cables, remote control, and speaker covers and is covered by a 3-year transferable warranty.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • With custom-Audioengine components
  • Precision-tuned cabinets
  • Works with all kinds of inputs
  • With aluminum remote control
  • With a classy-modern design
Cons
  • Complaints that it needs to be connected to an external receiver or audio amp

#9. Sony SSCS5 3-Way Driver Bookshelf Speaker

Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speaker

The Sony SSCS5 is a pair of 3-way speakers with improved components. It offers an enhanced bass system, reinforced woofer, and tweeter. Built for immersive sound staging, the SSCS5 offers improved sound reproduction bringing high-resolution audio to life.

You’ll get high-resolution audio for uncompromised audio, tapered faceplate edges for clearer and near-perfect sound reproduction. This is made from all-wood, so unwanted vibrations are absorbed. The MRC –fiber woofers are solid, will hold their shape even at high speeds and extreme temperatures.

Conclusion: The Sony SSCS5 is a pair of bookshelf speakers that offer improved sound quality because of its enhanced components, improved cabinet design, and high-res audio support. It may not have a remote or speaker controls on the front panel but no doubt that it can be the affordable bookshelf speaker system you’ve been looking for.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Supports Hi-Res audio
  • With 3-way, 3-driver system
  • Improved tweeters and subwoofer designs
  • Strong cabinet design
  • Connects to any audio source
Cons
  • No remote control
  • No speaker controls on the front panel

#10. Q Acoustics 3020 Bookshelf Speakers

Q Acoustics 3020 Bookshelf Speaker Pair

The Q Acoustics 3020 is a pair of bookshelf speakers with advanced features. It offers low distortion, improved tweeter, crossover and cabinet designs for the best audio output quality. It comes with a larger drive unit using Aramid fiber cone material with open, realistic mid-range audio quality. And to control unnecessary vibrations, the Q Acoustics 3020 has a double-layer top plate and multiple braces.

Conclusion: The Q Acoustics 3020 are bookshelf speakers with enhanced audio components, flawless design, and improved overall features. It’s simple, easy to use, and requires no setup when used for your PC, laptop or other equipment. However, it does not have individual controls and a remote. You can also check out our list of the best 2.1 Speakers for your PC or laptop.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Improved tweeter, crossover and cabinet
  • Large drive unit
  • Offers realistic mid-range audio
  • Braced cabinet
  • Simple, modern design
Cons
  • No speaker controls
  • No remote

Final Conclusion

Of the ten best bookshelf speakers, the Debut 2.0 B6.2 bookshelf speakers are the best in our list. This is because of several reasons. First, it is an improvement of ELAC’s popular bookshelf speaker systems. It has better components for enhanced sound quality with a new front-firing ports design.

This pair of black bookshelves can improve music enjoyment despite a few flaws. It is available online for less than $500, and it could be the best one for the money. If you think that the ELAC Debut 2.0 is for you, check it out.

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