Our top choice
This bookshelf speaker pair, the Triangle Borea BR03, delivers exceptional clarity and spaciousness along with ample bass. While the design is appealing, the speakers may appear somewhat large and boxy.
The Triangle Borea BR03 is a great choice for serious music enthusiasts seeking the enveloping sound of true audiophile-grade speakers without the high price tag. It offers a fuller, more satisfying sound compared to most bookshelf speakers, resulting in clearer and more natural vocal and instrument reproduction. The speakers are available in various attractive finishes, but some users may find them too bulky for their living space.
Runner-up
The Q Acoustics 3020i speakers, our alternative choice, offer a more compact design and stylish aesthetics, although they produce less bass than our top pick.
For those who prefer a modern look, the Q Acoustics 3020i speakers provide exceptional sound quality and aesthetics. However, they may lack the bass output of our top recommendation, and they might come with a slightly higher price tag. The set features a beautifully crafted design with rounded corners to prevent chipping and is available in four finish options.
Budget pick
The JBL Stage A130 pair offers comparable performance to our other selections at a more affordable price point, although the design may be considered generic.
Music enthusiasts seeking excellent sound quality at an affordable price will appreciate the JBL Stage A130 set. These speakers come close to the clarity of our other passive picks at regular listening levels, but they may sound slightly harsh at higher volumes, particularly with hip-hop or heavy rock music. The lower price is reflected in the generic black-box design, making the speakers less suitable for a living room.
Our pick
The Edifier S1000MKII powered-speaker pair delivers top-notch sound, features a sleek design, and includes useful amenities such as integrated Bluetooth support, bass and treble controls, and a remote.
For those seeking the convenience of an all-in-one, powered speaker system without the need for an external amplifier, the Edifier S1000MKII set offers the best performance under $600. The system produces the sweetest, most natural, and detailed treble range in our tests, resulting in clearer instrument and vocal reproduction. The speakers also boast a stylish design, although the retro aesthetic may not appeal to everyone. Additionally, the system includes tone controls, a remote, various inputs, and built-in Bluetooth support for seamless audio streaming from mobile devices.
Also great
The ELAC Debut ConneX DCB41 speakers offer excellent sound quality, albeit slightly lacking in bass, and feature a phono input for use with a turntable, as well as an HDMI input for TV use.
For those in search of speakers that pair seamlessly with any record player or turntable, the ELAC Debut ConneX DCB41 provides a great-sounding and visually appealing set of powered speakers. This pair includes a built-in phono preamp to equalize and amplify the sound of vinyl, making it compatible with turntables lacking their own phono preamp. Additionally, the versatile DCB41 set offers Bluetooth support, an HDMI input for TV connectivity, and a USB digital input for computer connection. While these smaller speakers may lack the bass power of the Edifier S1000MKII pair, they do come at a higher cost.
