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Are you looking for the Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $500, but you have no idea what suits you best? You are lucky because, in this buyer’s guide, we go deeper into the many functions that you have to take into account in a loudspeaker on a bookshelf. This section makes it a lot easier to find the perfect speaker for your needs.
Besides, we have researched the market and found different bookshelf speakers under $500. These options are the best of the best, meaning you do not have to spend your precious time searching for bookshelf speakers. Once you have finished reading this buyer’s guide, we are sure that you have the necessary knowledge to make an informed decision and buy yourself a good speaker for bookshelves that meets your specific needs.
Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $500 List
The Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $500 price segment is quite exciting. Given the type of performance you can find here, these speakers are often considered the optimal sweet spot. The models that we have listed above explain this claim perfectly. Each of the speakers on our list can compete with models that are twice as expensive. Regardless of your favorite music genre, with our choices, you can enjoy your favorite songs as they are intended. Let us know your thoughts on our list of best bookshelf speakers under $500.
Edifier R2000DB
The Edifier R2000DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speaker is one of the best bookshelf speakers under $500 in this list, because of the many features that come with it. The connectivity technology used is Bluetooth, which means that you can connect your smartphone or tablet to the device to play music wirelessly. However, if you do not have a Bluetooth device, you can use the AUX ports that allow you to connect two devices at the same time. Moreover, the bookshelf loudspeakers are in practical use because they are supplied with a remote control that has multiple applications. With the remote control, you can adjust the volume, skip between tracks, and switch off the loudspeaker when necessary.
Furthermore, the remote control is a huge bonus because you do not have to go to the speaker every time you want to change the music. Besides, the bookshelf loudspeakers have a built-in EQ, which means that you can adjust the audio to your preference. So if you like bass-boosted tunes, you can turn the knob to maximum, but note that too much bass can rip the drivers if it’s too violent. There are not many negatives that we could find with these bookshelf speakers. However, there are still a few, such as no option to mount them, because there is an EQ built-in with cables coming from the rear. They are also quite heavy, with a weight of 22 pounds.
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Wharfedale Diamond 220
The Wharfedale Diamond 220 has award-winning performance that fills every room with vibrant, lifelike audio. The displayed sound is entirely open, and therefore, these speakers are ideal for watching movies and listening to music with deep bass. The drivers used are a 1-inch soft-dome tweeter that provides the higher frequency ranges, while the 5.1-inch Kevlar woofer takes over the lower frequencies. The frequency response is also 45 Hz – 24 kHz, which is a good indication of how diverse the audio will sound.
Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $300
The design of the bookshelf speakers is visually appealing, and you can remove the metal front grille to make the drivers visible for a better look. The Wharfedale Diamond 220 is available in black, walnut, rosewood and white. However, when using the bookshelf loudspeakers without the front grill, it can be damaged because there is no protective layer. In other words, keep water or other liquids away from the speaker during use. Other than this, the Diamond 220 is one of the best bookshelf speakers under 500 dollars.
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JBL Studio 530
The JBL Studio 530 6.5-inch 2-way bookshelf speaker features a 6.5-inch PolyPlas driver that delivers unparalleled mid-range accuracy, powerful bass, and is one of the best bookshelf speakers under $500. With a comprehensive frequency response of 52 Hz – 22 kHz, the speakers use a wide range of notes that can be played, leading to an incredible experience.
Moreover, the sensitivity of the loudspeaker is 88 dB, which means that your music can play ultra-loud without experiencing a loss of quality. Not only is the dB excellent, but also the impedance at 8 Ohm reaches the sweet spot. All these small features lead to a superior sounding loudspeaker that can produce lifelike music.
The style of the speaker is unique because you can see the significant dome drivers when you remove the front grill. You can leave the grill to see how the woofer vibrates while producing music, giving the speaker a very different atmosphere. You will also receive 8 rubber cushion pads in the box that will help you with the sound insulation. Leaving the grill is not ideal, however, because any impact or accidental leakage can easily break the driver. Another problem with the loudspeaker is that it weighs very hard with 17.5 pounds, which means transporting it is not an easy task.
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Audioengine A5+ Active 2-Way
The Audioengine A5 + active 2-way speakers have built-in amplifiers that allow the bookshelf speakers to consume more energy, creating louder and smoother beats. The bass sounds lively and of high quality because of the available power.
Moreover, there is no sign of quality loss when playing at high volume due to the professionally adjusted tweeters and woofers. Also, the design is beautiful, and you can choose from multiple options, such as a smooth wooden design. The back of the speakers contains RCA outputs that allow a secure connection, and you can start playing music in minutes.
You can connect the bookshelf speakers to a desktop, stereo, or TV. The Audioengine A5 + active 2-way speakers have a comprehensive frequency response of 50 Hz – 22k Hz with a maximum peak of 95 dB, which means that you can play music on a loud volume and still hear lifelike audio without interruption. The Audioengine A5 + active two-way speakers do not have options to mount them on the wall, so make sure you already have a seating arrangement for them before purchasing. Also, keep them away from water, as any spilled products may damage them immediately.
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ELAC Uni-fi UB5
The advanced crossover design combined with a sturdy, reinforced cabinet helps the ELAC Uni-fi UB5 bookshelf speaker deliver audio that exceeds its price point and makes it one of the best bookshelf speakers under $500. The true 3-way design delivers more accurate sound than the traditional 2-way speakers, and with the drivers professionally tuned, the audio sounds excellent. The woofer used is 5.25-inch aluminum and delivers powerful bass without loss of quality when playing with louder volume settings. The tweeters also bring life to measure with extremely precise vocals, so that the bass does not touch the beat too much.
Moreover, connecting the bookshelf loudspeakers to a stereo or TV has never been easier than it comes with custom terminals that offer flexibility for wired connections. You can even remove the front grill to see the drivers in action when everything is connected, giving the speaker a different look. Unlike other speakers, the ELAC Uni-fi UB5 bookshelf speakers are not part of an entire arrangement, which means that if you want to upgrade your musical setup, you need to buy another pair of bookshelf speakers.
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Edifier S1000DB
The Edifier S1000DB Audiophile Active Bookshelf Speakers measure 11″ x 8″ x 13.5″ and weigh 18lbs. The RMS is 60 watts per speaker, and the frequency response is between 48Hz-20,000Hz. They feature a 5.5 aluminum alloy woofer and a 1-inch silk dome tweeter. These are active speakers and all knobs, controls and connections are located on the rear of the speaker. The setup is identical to that of the Edifier S2000DB. There are 2 X RCA, coaxial, and optical connections.
In addition, there are two auxiliary inputs and controls for volume, treble, and bass. These speakers have modern connectivity options so you can connect them to an electronic device of your choice or connect wirelessly via Bluetooth using the pairing button on the back of the speaker. They also come with a remote control.
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Klipsch RP-500M
The Klipsch RP-500M Bookshelf Speaker measures 6-13/16″ x 13-1/2″ x 9-1/2″ and weighs 12lbs each. The RMS is 75 watts per speaker with a peak power of 300 watts per speaker, and the frequency response is between 48Hz-25,000Hz. There is a 5-1/4″ Cerametallic™ cone woofer with a 1″ titanium tweeter paired with a Hybrid Tractrix horn. In addition, there is a newly designed bass-reflex tractrix port at the rear.
The speakers have removable grills. A complete waste of time, in our opinion. Throw them away. After all, why would you want to cover up a pair of speakers that look so good? These are the most expensive speakers we looked at in our review of the best bookshelf speakers under $500. So the question inevitably arises, did we save the best until last? Well, quite possibly.
What we can say with certainty is that these are the most powerful. The Klipsch RP-500M bookshelf speakers have more than enough volume and are suitable for listening far away, even in good-sized rooms.
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Things To Know Before Buying Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $500
Audio Quality
Audio quality is the most important function you need to look at before you consider buying the best bookshelf speakers under $500. Functions such as portability can be a good thing, but with a bookshelf speaker, you first have to look at the drivers, the frequency range, the built-in EQ, and the connectivity. The drivers must have the main focus when they produce the sound. Normally, the woofer and tweeters are separated so that they can produce a better sounding sound at the same time.
The woofer provides all lower frequency ranges (bass), while the tweeters deliver astonishing highs and mid-tones (Treble). A bookshelf speaker with its own customizable EQ is excellent because it means you can increase bass or treble depending on the type of music you like. However, do not worry if this option is not available because you can adjust the audio on their interfaces with most stereos or TVs.
Brand
Buying from an already established brand is a great way to know that the speaker of the bookshelf you are going to buy is of top quality. That’s because brands have a reputation that they have to keep, and if they sell defective products, they will quickly lose business. Besides, buying a reputable brand usually included a decent guarantee agreement, which means that you do not have to keep buying new products every time they get worn or broken. Larger brands, however, usually have higher prices, and you can get almost the same quality at a lower price by working with a smaller brand. When you buy from a brand that you do not know, make sure that you can do some background research.
Practicality
The purchase of handy practical bookshelf speakers is a significant advantage because you do not have to spend a lot of time installing the device to get the audio going. Make sure you check that the bookshelf speakers have their cable because this makes it easier to set up because you do not have to search for wires separately. However, if you want to make a home theater system, you may need to purchase longer cables because the supplied cables may not be long enough to create surround sound.
Also, the ease of a speaker is of great importance, so remote control is a good idea. With the remote control, you can use the bookshelf speakers remotely, so you do not have to go to the stereo every time you want to adjust the music. The remote control has many functions, such as the ability to change the volume, adjust the bass or treble, mute the speakers when necessary, and switch off the stereo.
Some speakers also have the option of mounting them on the wall, which can save essential space for other items. Be sure to check the specifications of the best bookshelf speakers under $500 to see if it can be mounted. A keyhole attachment must be visible at the rear, but if the speaker is too heavy, it has different mounting options.
Connectivity
There are many ways to connect to your bookshelf speaker, but not all offer the same options. Before you make a purchase, consider how you want to use the speaker, whether with a stereo or a PC. Here are some options that you must consider before buying the best bookshelf speakers under 500 dollars:
- Stereo: If you only want to play music, connecting a stereo system is an excellent option because they usually have remote controls and built-in EQs. You can also use discs, SD cards, and Bluetooth to connect to your stereo, allowing you to play music from virtually any device.
- PC: connecting to a PC is another excellent option because monitors usually do not have such great speakers. This means that you can not listen to lively beats or watch movies with a sense of immersion. With bookshelf speakers, however, this completely changes the experience.
- TV set: bookshelf speakers are great for TV sets because you can create a home theater without having to invest too much. You can also create surround sound by placing speakers anywhere in the room. However, make sure there is enough cable because, in most cases, the wires are too short to pass through the room.
- Bluetooth: Some bookshelf speakers allow you to connect via Bluetooth, but in most cases, this is a rare feature. The advantage of this is that you do not need a stereo, TV, or PC to connect with.