Affordable Bookshelf Speakers That Won’t Compromise on Sound Quality

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Audioengine HD5

$549 at Amazon View on B&H Photo Video

TL;DR: The Audioengine HD5 merges studio-quality audio and at-home excellence with a well-rounded, full-featured set of powered speakers.

Why We Recommend These

Audioengine’s approach to audio projects is two parts quality and one part audiophile technology.

I’ve had extensive experience with the brand’s auxiliary receivers, transmitters, and digital-analog converters. I was excited to run one of their most popular powered speaker pairs through the wringer.

And that’s probably the first note to make: The HD5 is a fully outfitted, powered speaker pair that delivers up to 150 watts of high-quality AB-class-amplified audio.

At the center of each speaker is a top-tier aramid fiber woofer paired with a three-quarter-inch silk dome tweeter. To my ears, the HD5s feel about as close to my professional studio monitors I’ve heard in a consumer pair of speakers.

The design is probably my second favorite part of these speakers. I chose the walnut veneer option, which looks both classic and modern. The magnetic grills on the front really give the HD5s a modern look.

The HD5s also feature a whole host of connectivity, including Bluetooth, which is Qualcomm aptX capable (a higher-quality codec that lets more of your source audio shine through the standard Bluetooth compression).

A digital optical input employs the HD5’s internal DAC to deliver a better audio processing experience than most common source devices.

This package, while undoubtedly impressive, will cost you a decent premium. The $549 list price is right at the top of the consumer range of speakers, so these are only for those who want a premium experience.

I like that there’s a volume knob right on the front of the host speaker, but it would have been nice to include a few more controls (like bass/treble balance, impedance adjustments, etc.).

While the optical input is welcome, there isn’t a balanced TRS line input like on higher-end studio monitors.

Overall, though, the HD5’s approach to sound processing more than earns its top spot here.  

• Who else recommends it? Audio and tech publishers like PCMag, Turntable Lab, and more all find Audioengine’s audiophile pedigree to produce impressive speakers.
• What do buyers say? The HD5 has more than 1,700 reviews on Amazon, with an impressive rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Reviewers rave about the overall build and quality.

Also Great

Q Acoustics 3020i

$449 at Amazon $899 at Crutchfield.com

TL;DR: The Q Acoustics 3020i is a true marvel of passive speaker design, with excellent sound and limited unwanted artifacts.

Why We Recommend These

For the average consumer, purchasing a powered speaker pair for its contained technology and extra connectivity is the way to go. But there’s no denying that some at-home audio systems call for passive speakers—especially if you already have a receiver you love.

The Q Acoustics 3020i is a speaker that balances acoustic engineering, visual style, and overall build quality.

It starts with the bracing tech—what Q Acoustics calls point-to-point bracing—which makes the enclosures extremely rigid and helps focus the audio to the front and outward.

This technology supports the impressive dedicated tweeter and driver system, providing a crisp, clean, powerful platform for listening to music or movie audio.

The 3020i's design is also solid. The premium-quality magnetic grills offer a subtler look and are removable if you want to call attention to the speaker cones on the inside. I also like the soft, curved, beveled edges that make this speaker feel premium and modern.

The elephant in the room here is the price point. While these speakers can handle up to 75 watts, you can find more affordable speakers at this level (though I found these speakers very pleasant to use).

I also think the speakers are pretty bulky and heavy on volume and power handling.

This build is intentional on the manufacturer's part—to give the speakers room to deliver exceptional tonal performance—but you’ll need to ensure you have the space and the stands to support them if you go for these.

But I really enjoyed my time with the 3020i pair. Its clarity and reliability made it my go-to for movies and video games. 

• Who else recommends it? The 3020i speaker has received impressive responses from critics, earning coverage in the Independent, Forbes, What Hi-Fi, and more. 
• What do buyers say? It’s not just audio reviewers: More than 700 Amazon buyers love the look and sound, rating these speakers 4.6 stars out of 5.

Easiest on the Budget

Edifier R1280T

$120 at Amazon $120 $116 at Walmart $120 at Best Buy

TL;DR: The R1280Ts are beautifully designed, excellent-sounding speakers for a refreshingly attainable price.

Why We Recommend These

I’ve had the pleasure of using several Edifier products, from headphones and battery-powered Bluetooth speakers to, yes, bookshelf pairs. The R1280Ts are some of the hardest speakers to beat for their performance and price.

While they list for $120, they’re most often available on sale for $99 on Amazon, which is an absolute steal. That’s because the 40+ watt performance is surprisingly balanced and nuanced for the value.

There’s depth and detail, with a real focus on the upper mids and the meat of the typical musical spectrum when listening to Top 40 music or podcasts.

I’m also a fan of the gray-and-wood-toned design, which feels unique, especially compared with the black grills I find on most speakers.

It’s also nice to see dual RCA inputs, which allowed me to connect both a record player and my computer audio setup to these speakers for easy use with both devices.

For the price point, there are some tradeoffs.

While I’m impressed by how big the 42 watts of RMS power feels, that is definitely on the low side, especially for large spaces or situations that call for loud audio.

The speaker output thermals are also cheap, employing the clamp method rather than banana plugs.

While I like the on-board controls, it might have been nice to have a third EQ knob to control some of the mid frequencies because that part of the spectrum did feel heavy-handed for some applications.

Ultimately, these tradeoffs feel acceptable because of the truly affordable price point. 

• Who else recommends it? PCMag, PC World, and more reputable publications agree that this speaker is an excellent budget offering with impressive features.
• What do buyers say? An astronomical 18,000+ Amazon buyers have purchased and reviewed these speakers, and the 4.6-out-of-5 star rating speaks for itself.