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You might have just redecorated your home interior, but there is still a small detail left! There is a need for a quality bookshelf speaker. The times we are in, having a home theater or speakers of full size can be difficult as the space is very limited.
Read more: 5 Best Bookshelf Speakers Under 200
Luckily this is an issue that’s easily solved with Bookshelf speakers. These are portable and offer an exceptional music experience. Here is the list of the Best Bookshelf Speakers under 500 so that you also stay within the budget limit you have!
Bookshelf Speakers Comparison
| Product Image | Product Name | Value | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Klipsch RP-500M | $$$ | |
 |
Edifier S1000DB Audiophile Active | $$$ | |
 |
Bose 301-V Stereo Loudspeakers | $$$ | |
 |
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 | $$$ | |
 |
Polk Audio S20 Signature Series | $$$ |
Top Bookshelf Speakers Under 500
Klipsch RP-500M Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) (Ebony) – The Best Overall
On top of our list is the RP-500M from Klipsch and there are several reasons for that. The speaker offers RMS at 75 watts and the peak power can go up to 300 watts for each speaker. The frequency response range comes between 48 and 25,000 Hz. There is a 1″ vented tweeter and also has Hybrid Tractrix Horn.
It comes with a warranty of five years and has 8 ohms of nominal impedance. Talking about the sound quality, this is a winner and is very powerful. Klipsch bookshelf speaker offers a good volume that will be perfect for even large-sized rooms.
The Build quality is pretty nice and seems well designed. The tweeter cone is horn-shaped and the woofers are copper spun that looks amazing. All in all, this is the best you can get in this budget and is a quality bookshelf speaker choice.
- When compared to the size, the output is powerful.
- Even at high volumes, the bass distortion stays low.
- Build quality is the best and the design is impressive.
- It comes with a warranty of 5 years.
- There can be an improvement made for lower middles and needs to be stronger.
Edifier S1000DB Audiophile Active Bookshelf Speakers- The Best Bluetooth Connectivity
The S1000DB from Edifier is amongst the modern-day bookshelf speakers with all the features that you will need. It weighs 18 pounds and RMS is 60 watts of one speaker. The range of frequency response is from 48 Hz to 20,000 Hz. It has a 1-inch dome tweeter of silk, so you can be sure of premium audio quality.
The best part about these speakers is the amazing connectivity choices. All of the controls, knobs, and connections can be seen on the speaker’s rare side. You get two auxiliary inputs for controlling the bass, treble, and volume. There are detachable grills that should be used.
Then comes the Bluetooth connectivity that’s the highlight and you will be able to play any music from your smartphone with ease. There is also a remote control available which makes the entire experience convenient. These speakers come with a warranty of 2 years.
- You get Bluetooth connectivity.
- It has a powerful and punchy bass.
- The sound stays well balanced and the mids are crisp.
- Build quality is excellent.
- The remote control is very small in size.
Bose 301-V Stereo Loudspeakers (Pair, Black) – The Best Design
One of the things that Bose has gained a reputation for its unique design and high durability. This is exactly what you will see in the Bose 301-V speakers. The speaker has a peak power of 150 watts and comes with 2 tweeters that are paper coated.
As one of the tweeters in rare facing, you should make sure to place it at a bit of distance from the wall. Also, as there isn’t any magnetic shielding, keep it at a distance from the computer monitor and TV as well.
The nominal impedance ranges from 4-8 ohms and it comes with a warranty of five years. The finish and build quality of these speakers is impeccable. You get clear sounds even at high frequencies. The bass stays strong because of the 8” woofer. Sound dispersion for a larger area is done nicely by these speakers as well.
- The design of the speakers is unique.
- Build quality is great and durable.
- It offers a punchy bass with great sound.
- The sound gets well dispersed in the room.
- Magnetic shielding is not present.
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers, Black (Pair)- The Best Soundstage
ELAC Debut 2 bookshelf speakers offer you a frequency response in the range of 44- 35000 Hz which says a lot about the sound quality you will get. There is a 1″ dome tweeter made of aluminum and has a woofer made of aramid fiber. The passive speaker has a nominal impedance at 8 ohms and comes with a guarantee of three years.
The construction is from MDF and they have a vinyl wrap that looks nice. For the price point, the cabinet quality is nice but the best part is the sound you get! Interestingly upper bass detailing is excellent and also has good punch at lower bass. You get nice instrument separation with high mid detailing.
Also, the projection and vocal clarity are outstanding. For being the budget-friendly speaker option the soundstage is realistic and exceptional! There are composure and crisp sound production at a higher range as well with negligible distortion.
- Best detailing in all ranges.
- Projection and soundstage are just incredible.
- You get excellent performance at every volume.
- The cabinet design is uninspiring.
Polk Audio S20 Signature Series Bookshelf Speakers – The Best Build Quality
If you have been in search of the best build quality bookshelf speaker that’s also affordable then Polk Audio S20 will be the right choice for you. The brand has been well known for producing electronics at reasonable prices but offering high quality at the same time for 5 decades now!
These speakers can handle a peak power of 125 watts and the frequency response is 39-40,000 Hz which is amazing. The high-frequency range is handled by a 1″ dome tweeter made of terylene. You get a warranty of five years for all of the components as well.
For having minimal distortion and ensuring peak performance there is a reflex port in the bass driver. You get a lot of energy for the mids and incredible clarity at highs. Even after being compact the soundstage you get is relatively dynamic and broad. The cabinet built is perfect and you can see that from simple materials a well-finished and nicely designed cabinet with curved corners can be made. The Polk Audio S20 Signature Series Bookshelf Speakers is perfect for Home Theater, Surround Sound, Premium Music, and many more…
- The design is beautiful and has excellent build quality.
- You get strong performance at lower ranges.
- It has a broad soundstage with good clarity at every frequency.
- The speakers come with a warranty of 5 years.
- Some people might complain about the speakers being of big size. But this is something of personal preference.
Best Bookshelf Speakers under 500 Buying Guide
One of the characteristics of having speakers that provide quality listening speakers is that they should be well suited for your room space. Then your music taste also holds importance for the same. Here is the complete guide that can make your search for finding the best bookshelf speaker a lot easier!
1. Your Music Taste:
If you are someone that listens to music at medium levels or has background audio while you work around the house, having a compact bookshelf speaker will work just fine. Also if you have a home office, bookshelf speakers are the right product to buy. But if you want to listen to blasting music maybe going for larger speakers will be a better idea. This will make sure that you save over or underbuying things.
2. Specifications That You Need:
When you are shopping on a restricted budget, you have to prioritize what specifications matter to you the most. But how does one do that when there are several options available with great reviews and in the price range that you have decided for yourself? Here are some of the specifications that you can observe and see if the bookshelf speaker you are considering has it:
Ø Frequency Response:
The frequency response of speakers gets measured in the unit called Hertz. This mainly indicates the tone range that it will be able to produce. The initial numbers represent the lowest volume the speaker has and the depth of bass. Then the second number is going to indicate its tone range’s for the upper limit or the highest frequency. You will get a fuller sound for a specific speaker if the frequency response is wider.
Ø Speaker Sensitivity:
The rating for speaker sensitivity gives you information on its effectiveness when it comes to conversion of power to volume. Your speakers will offer louder volumes if the rating is higher as per the power given. Sensitivity is usually measured when the speaker drives through 1 power watt and the loudness measured in dB goes 1 m away.
This might not seem something very important, but the fact is that just a small difference in dB will make a great difference in the audio that you hear. Generally having a sensitivity rating of above 85 is the best and can help in making sure that you can best out of the speakers.
3. Power Handling:
There is always a power range recommended for most speakers available in the market. This will also give you an idea of the amp strength there should be. When you see the lower number, it usually indicates the required minimum wattage. And the high number lets you know about the maximum wattage that the speaker will be handling for an extended time.
4. Impedance:
The impedance of speakers indicates the electrical resistance amount that it provides to the amplifier. Similar to power ratings, it can be slightly tricky. This is mainly because there are constant fluctuations in actual impedance. For making this simple while model comparison, the speakers are given nominal impedance single ratings.
It is worth a mention that speakers with low-impedance might cause some issues with amplifiers or receivers that haven’t been designed for delivering huge amounts of constant current.
You should also be checking the specs of your amplifier for making sure it’s well compatible with the speakers you are thinking of buying.
5. Speaker Material:
The drivers of a speaker are made from varied materials. It can be of rubber, metal, plastic, and paper. Now, each of these materials offers a different sonic property. For instance, there will be a smooth sound with the use of soft materials like silk.
Also, most of the manufacturers are choosing the driver material that has the right balance between strength (for clear sound and no distortion) and lighter weight (for efficient movement). Understandably, premium quality material will yield better sound over the low-cost counterparts.
Best Bookshelf Speakers FAQ(s)
1. Which Is Better Klipsch Or Bose?
Klipsch does seem to be having a better reputation when compared with Bose when we talk about audio reproduction. Klipsch has been well known for its focus on tone quality and Bose has the reputation for speakers with high durability and a robust design. When we compare the affordability aspect, Klipsch is a clear winner.
2. A Good Speaker Should Be Of How Much Watts?
This is something that depends on the speaker’s efficiency and the listening habits you have. In case you do like the uncompressed music and the speaker has 90dB efficiency, then 200 watts will be more than enough. In case you are listening to jazz, light classical then even 50 watts will be adequate.
3. How to Recognize High-Quality Speakers?
There is a certain frequency that each of the speakers produces and this can be softer or louder when compared with others. Let’s assume that the final goal is having precise audio reproduction with low variations in loudness you have to understand that the flatter the chart of the frequency response is the better will be the speaker quality.
Final Thoughts:
So this was the list of best bookshelf speakers under 500 that you can get right now! We have made sure to include the ones that will offer you the best value for every penny you spend and highlight their specifications that each of them excels in!