10 Bookshelf Speakers Under $200 - My Top Picks in 2022

[@joentell]

🔊 Watch my review of speakers in the $500 price range: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nofXiWx-bqd5b9k 00:00 - Intro 1:31 The one that got away - Pioneer SP-FS52 (look on Craigslist) amzn.to/3VgLuo5 02:11 - #1 ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 amzn.to/3OZJ3nH 03:55 - Another one you’ll have to find used - Pioneer SP-BS22-LR bit.ly/PioneerSP-BS22-LR 04:26 - #2 ELAC BS41 amzn.to/3qB45yb 05:46 - #3 Micca RB42 bit.ly/MiccaRB42 07:46 - Things you’ll need with passive speakers 08:03 - SMSL Amps - AD18 bit.ly/SMSLAD18 SA300 bit.ly/SMSL-SA300 SA-50 bit.ly/SMSLSA50 08:18 - #4 Neumi BS5 bit.ly/NeumiBS5 09:58 - #5 Neumi BS5P bit.ly/NeumiBS5P 11:20 - #6 Jamo S 803 bit.ly/JamoS803Walnut 12:38 - #7 Fluance Signature Bookshelf bit.ly/FluanceSignatureBookshelf 14:02 - #8 Micca OoO bit.ly/MiccaOoO 15:23 - #9 Monolith THX Compact Satellite Speakers on Monoprice’s site: bit.ly/MonolithTHXCompactSate... On Amazon: amzn.to/3OHuWDj 18:11 - #10 Dayton Audio MK402X amzn.to/3il3LSG Updated Powered version amzn.to/3iqzq5e 19:55 - Mention of the Sony SSCS5 amzn.to/3gOk2Pl 20:40 - Conclusion Disclosure: The Affiliate links above earn me a commission if you purchase using those links. This is at no additional cost to you.

[@keepingupwiththejones2933]

Love this studio space. The care you take in setting up your background while shooting doesn't go unnoticed. Hair is impeccable. Glasses are super stylish. Very much the professional reviewer and videographer. Much love.❤🔥❤🔥

[@joentell]

🙏 as always. Hope you're doing well over there T.J.

[@DownwithEA1]

Currently listening to this through a 5.1 Logitech setup for my PC with only 1 speaker working & 2 on a good day. I wish I would've found a video like this in 2017 because I could still be enjoying a quality audio experience today. Mainly I just didn't want to deal with the hassle of going from speaker cable to the audio output of the PC. In my head I wanted the most seamless setup. After putting up with my garbage speakers for so long I'm far more willing to consider more options. Also glad to see that the few bookshelf speakers I've been eyeballing ended up on your list so I'm on the right path. Neumi and Micca are the two most interesting to me. The inputs on the Neumi are exactly what I want but the audio from the Micca might suit me better. In any case thank you for putting this all together. When I make the upgrade you'll have helped me improve my audio experience for many years to come.

[@shipsahoy1793]

Nice job Joe. I typically like expensive full range floor standers, but developed an appreciation for the merits of bookshelf speakers on stands with no subs for late night quieter full range listening. Hence, being a CAM on this issue, I eventually settled on the BS41’s, and after extensive burn-in with a 100w/ch class AB vintage Denon amp, I feel I made a good choice. Just need a little EQ adjustment, depending on SPL, but nothing major or difficult. I found the Neumi BS5, the Micca RB42, and the old Pioneer reviews interesting as well, but decided to try the Elac based on reputation and available price at the time. Your video really puts all the good inexpensive choices in perspective for sound and application. Need to check out your $500 books video, but would like to add in closing that I feel the reason for diminishing returns of bookshelf’s is that you can only take speakers in those size targets so far. Leaving out the issue of subs, a bookshelf speaker can never be a floor stander, just as a floor stander can never really shine in the way the bookshelf does. Two different animals. We can thank Physics for that😉🤣.. 🥳👨🏻

[@joentell]

I agree with your conclusion. I would say that a properly tuned near-field system with a well-integrated sub, can give you the experience of listening to larger speakers. It's kind of amazing. You may want to look at some of the smaller subs I've reviewed like the SVS 3000 Micro or the KEF KC62 (expensive). The Monolith 8" THX subwoofer that comes in the M518HT system can be purchased separately at a much lower price and I've found it to be very effective at a desk in a small office. I'm using Dirac as my room correction, so that ties everything together as well. For a good 2.1 setup, a MiniDSP 2x4HD or Flex can do wonders if you know how to calibrate with a UMIK-1. If not they can be upgraded to Dirac versions for auto-calibration.

[@SpacedOutDoonie]

Dope video. Im wanting to get either Edifier MR4 or Neumi BS5P

[@adamjj85]

Great video Joe, love the inclusion of your in room measurements on each speaker. I run the PSB Alpha P3's on my desk, slightly over $200 these days but something to check out.

[@joentell]

I have the P5's and I use them as rear surrounds. They're good.

[@christopherj8766]

Great series, hoping to see best 2.1 desktop speakers in the future 👀

[@b0mbdigg79]

Nice list Joe. If you can find the Kanto Yu Passive 5.25” on sale for $200 I’d say that’s the best choice

[@vsalasarcr]

Greetings, thanks for providing information, for those of us who do not have the possibility to audition the equipment before making a decision to purchase audio equipment. It is truly a great help. I would like your opinion on the Wharfedale D330 and sony ss-cs3 speakers, I wish you happy holidays.

[@manw3bttcks]

What about the Dayton speaker that uses the AMT tweeter (Dayton B652 AIR) vs the MK402X?

[@nitenote8459]

Great video, please tell me where you get these sick black panels in background, looks awesome !

[@wal]

Excellent list! I use the Elac Debut 2.0 6" models for my sound quality sessions of amplifiers. I also have the UniFi models yet prefer the Debut 2.0's. Mine are 6.5's so a bit over 200 for the pair but still an excellent value IMO. I'll have to look into those Monoprice concentric speakers as it's always good to have speakers you can hide that still sound great!

[@joentell]

Ayyy. Big D Wiz!!! Yeah, I'm down with concentrics, but when you see the Monolith THX Satellites, you'll know by their size and surround design, that they aren't meant for bass output.

[@wal]

@@joentell that’s all good, I have separate subs to use 👌

[@joentell]

For sure. Some of those car audio amps have insane power, so I would hate to see it smoke. I currently have it connected to a 5-channel Parasound A52+ that puts out 255w @ 4 ohms, so I have to be real careful not to do something silly.

[@jukingeo]

Great video! Nice to see someone bringing a good amount of inexpensive speakers together that have measurements to show how well they perform. It goes to show you that you don't have to break the bank to get decent sound. Buying expensive or "hi-end" isn't always better, and sadly, can lead to great disappointment to discover that that $2200 speaker you bought is only marginally better than the $200 set they replaced. I am very much against trolling and how companies overcharge for equipment that isn't worth the price. Just watch videos from GR Research and Erin's Audio Corner to see what I am talking about. Buying at a lower cost doesn't mean sacrificing sound quality. You just have to do your homework and don't believe that the more expensive a speaker is, the better. That isn't always the case.

[@stephen0993]

Hey Joe, nice videos! What about the Polk ES10? I'd like to see your opinion and measurements of those!

[@PaperBoat.]

Pair of JBL 305p MKii + Monitor stands + IFI ZEN Air + High quality cables + acoustic treatment = $450 Is it right choice?

[@joentell]

I don't know about all the rest, but I like the Kali Audio LP6 V2 over the JBL 306P I reviewed prior mainly because the amplifier hiss is quieter on the v2.

[@spaznetwork6982]

Nice video! I bought the Jamo S803 to pair with a Fosi Audio BT30D Pro class D amp and a Schiit Audio Modi+ DAC. Its just for my small spare room to workout in. Still waiting on some components to test but should be fine for my needs, Thanks again for the video and keep up the great work!

[@WolfBeard3093]

I'm curious to know what you think of the Edifier 1280DBs. I recently picked up a pair for my pc setup, my first dabble into better quality pc speakers, though I plan to purchase a turntable as well at a later date to use with these. I've seen some good reviews on them for the price, usually around $165 US, I got mine for $100. But they also aren't on very many lists, so I'm curious as to what you think.

[@alacpe]

I have the micca BM42X connected into a kenwood KA 3500 amp and when you find a good sweet spot I love the low end , the bass feels nice. But I wonder how is the one I have compared to those micca reference ones? I’ve been eying them for a while and some of the klipshs references too.. I know klipsh is much higher price . Other than that cool video, good info.

[@jegantdragoch.7088]

really wonder for the 8th one Micca OoO if its one of the "best" for off axis listening experience because Ill sometimes be moving around standing away from the table doing other things in the room and worry about the sound quality changing. off axis is one of the new terms i hear about speaker quality and maybe its good to know which has wider or better off axis than others that maybe needs the person to be perfectly leveled with the speakers

[@ninjaburger7539]

The klipsch rp-160m are on sale for $199 right now, would they be good choice?

[@hipidipi20157max]

Is there a video of top subwoofers under $200? Or 250?

[@hipidipi20157max]

How do you connect 11 speakers to an amp? Do you use multiple amps connected to something else?

[@raycecomer3613]

Can anyone recommend a good affordable amp for Jensen jp 1200s?

[@hipidipi20157max]

Is there something like the OoOs (3 way speaker?) but with at least 6" woofer? Or 5 1/2"? I want some bass and subwoofers are too expensive and also most amps just have two ports. Im sorry that I dont understand about the hertz or the dbs.

[@amanieux]

what is your speaker recommendation for low volume and super near field (1-2 feet) ?

[@dennyeredd5451]

Great job on these Joe! I need some help on small subwoofers to use with soundbars or active speakers with a sub out? in Both cases the sub out input seems to be an aux type? Could you do a small video to help people like me who just need a small budget sub? Cheers mate!

[@mraisor7255]

Hi Joe, What do u think of the Yamaha NS-6490 speakers?

[@one234569and10]

These same ELAC Debut B5.2 - replaced with I would guess the B6.2 are still the same price as a year ago.. interesting.

[@sdtiller1]

Quick question, how you compare the Micca RB42 with a amp to the Bose Companion 2 series III's

[@donalddeorio2237]

SSCS5 is the model, and they perform very well especially in my desktop system

[@noncustody]

Just picked up a pair of them. They replaced my 90's era JBL J50 bookshelf speakers.

[@BLXCKPHANTOM]

Hi, would these passive speakers work with the Creative SoundBlaster external DAC like the GC7? Or the X4…? Thanks

[@davidjones7544]

Hey Joe I noticed on your ranking sheet you rank by "Looks, Build, Functionality, Sound Quality, Value". I don't really care if the speaker looks like a burnt potato if it's under $1000 I'm most concerned with sound quality. I am assuming your considerations are in no particular order or are looks the number one consideration? Thanks for your thoughts and the time and energy you put into your reviews.

[@joentell]

The last column is "Best overall sound quality regardless of price." That only takes SQ into account.

[@davidjones7544]

@@joentell 👍 thank Joe!

[@mastaboog749]

so I kind of want to try some sound dampening pads or something so I can actually upgrade to nicer speakers. i have some random powered $100 pair from amazon but running thru a decent dac and as long as i turn down the bass knob all the way no one complains in the house. hence why i stuck with headphones for so long, my pre amp is crapping out so Im thinking of getting a power amp and passive speakers or a nice pre amp and some more powered bookshelf. Just want as little weird low frequency to stay in the room as i can have possible

[@raymondleggs5508]

the over 30 years in production in various forms Yamaha NS6490 are still contenders in this category.

[@nayabei]

What active do you recommend other than edififer for ~$250 or under that has optical and sub / line out?

[@christopheroloo7245]

Good reviews on speakers, how about review on subwoofers below a certain price range.

[@joentell]

I think my buddy Erin at Erin's Audio Corner has done one and it's based on objective measurements. @erinsaudiocorner

[@christopheroloo7245]

@@joentell I have seen that, but please kindly do an updated vision cause their are some many subs that have come out after he posted the video.

[@martymcintosh5026]

should have watched this video when it came out, either the speakers have gone way up in price or they are not available, at least in my country Canada.

[@leo11877]

Hello. Which app are you using for frequency generation on your phone?

[@joentell]

Simple Test Tones Generator

[@leo11877]

@@joentell Thanks.

[@kingclover1395]

I ordered some Polk Audios yesterday after a whole week watching videos about bookshelf speakers, cuz I never had them before and I know nothing about them. I was kind of ready to spend more money than I did but I figured since this is my first pair I better start out on something inexpensive until I learn more about which ones are good and which ones are not so good. I wished I would have watched this one also cuz it's better than the other videos I saw, which I didn't even believe half the time cuz some of those guys kind of seemed like shady characters.

[@hipidipi20157max]

Can I use 2 center speakers for left and right speakers?

[@joentell]

Yes. It's possible. Best when they're placed vertically

[@hipidipi20157max]

@@joentell thank you!

[@hipidipi20157max]

The Elac Debut are above 400 USD. Why are speakers getting so expensive every year?

[@freestinje]

This is exactly what I needed!

[@micah_is_cool5529]

Witch ones are ur favorite

[@khalilwm7750]

I liked your channel, and since you are a specialist in acoustics, I want advice from you. I want to buy an audio stage from beginning to end. What do you advise me, the cost does not matter. The important thing is that I love the deep bass that hits the chest and the clear and high voice. Thank you

[@joentell]

Have you taken a look at my speaker leaderboard. That should help narrow it down for speakers. Http://speakerleaderboard.com

[@Hellboy..]

What you think of the OSD Nero MB5 speakers?

[@Hellboy..]

someone there?😂

[@andreasjonsson8075]

Have you tried Kanto solutions

[@joentell]

What exactly? I've reviewed a few of you search my name and Kanto.

[@kencooper2059]

Good review, I agree with most of it. I have most of those speakers, and my favorite two are the Sonys and the Micca OoOs. I also have the RB-42s, but overall I like the OoOs better. The RBs are a bit too rolled off at the top end for me. I would pick the Sonys along with a sub for a medium sized room, but the OoOs are my absolute favorite for near field or small room speakers. I run then in an office with a mall sub and the sound is very pleasing. A note on the Daytons...a lot for the price, but that spike in the upper midrange is annoying in a near field application. But, with some DSP correction, they can be made to sound very good. A lot of people went gaga over the Neumis, but I found them very uninteresting. Probably because they are so lifeless on the top end. They are on my shelf and I'll probably give them to somebody.

[@joentell]

I've had the Micca MB42X and PB42X before. I didn't add them to the list. I'm not sure if you meant MB42 or RB42.

[@kencooper2059]

@@joentell Yes, I meant RB, not MB. Thanks for catching, I edited my post, I have the MBs as well, and they get an honorable mention, but not hardly as refined as Micca's newer designs.

[@sujitbose7411]

I have a penchant for acoustic music, and I crave a sonic experience that faithfully reproduces the instrumentation with utmost precision. I desire to discern each instrument - be it the violin's soaring highs, the drum's dynamic attack, the flute's airy subtleties, or the guitar's rich timbre - with crystal clarity and definition. a sound signature that is unfatigueing and suitable for extended listening , very easy to ears , an all day speaker .Furthermore, I seek vocals that are layered, lively, and nuanced, with a sense of depth and dimensionality. Finally, I require a bass response that is taut, nuanced, and capable of conveying the subtlest textural details, thereby immersing me in a truly captivating sonic landscape. Sir, please suggest me a under 500 dollar speaker best suited for my requirements and preference.🙏

[@joentell]

Check my speaker leaderboard SpeakerLeaderboard.com and see the top listed speakers. Watch my reviews on them and others and see which one seems to be right for you.

[@ShopTherapy623]

I'm new to passive speakers. I was hoping to find a BUDGET setup for my living room (the room is about 18x16 with an 85" TV on the 16' wall, and we sit about 16' away). This will mostly be used for movies, but having the ability to play music from my phone would be a huge bonus. I dont want a large receiver/amp - the smaller the better. What would you suggest?

[@Louisthesaxman1]

what is your budget for the amp?

[@ShopTherapy623]

@@Louisthesaxman1 good question. Lol. Budget friendly. I'm not trying to blow anyone away. Just want better than my TV speakers and better than my crappy soundbar.

[@ShopTherapy623]

@@Louisthesaxman1 Would be great if it could be a 3.1 channel amp so I could add a center channel in the future and a sub. However a 2.1 would also be fine

[@thatchinaboi1]

I highly recommend the JBL 104.

[@mahadragon]

I really don’t need to see the frequency response graph for a $165 speaker. You could simply tell me it’s flat and I’ll believe you. There’s a reason the speaker is $165.

[@luisdiaz3887]

Dude you’re missing the ohms a very important part if not the main one

[@kevinrichardson8859]

Bose 301s are very hard to beat for budget bookshelf speakers... 8 inch woofers...(2) 2 inch tweeters..one mounted forward & one mounted rear firing for reflecting sound...giving a very spacious balanced sound...no frequency response listed..but they sound decent

[@paulgood2218]

I find the Bose sound in general very disappointing and lifeless on the top end but if you like the Bose sound then there ok but definitely not for me . I own 3 pair Bose speakers now and I just can't get into it . Boosted bass and no detail compared to my other speakers

[@CHAUNCEY.GARDNER.]

I had those in 80.

[@kevinrichardson8859]

@@CHAUNCEY.GARDNER. still sounding good??

[@burton7023]

Um no

[@kevinrichardson8859]

@@paulgood2218 then why do you still own 3 pairs? 🤔

[@goobisoft4873]

2k is the range where to me it sound very harsh and piercing to my ears so i do like the speaker having a dip at 2-4k range

[@johndoe-rf4rd]

nice.thanks

[@johnnysmile01]

The weird thing is that 5 years ago it was possible to get a pair of speakers for half of the price, now those Sony ssc55 are 175€ each wich are 340€ for a pair that's crazy how prices increased 4 years ago to now like double. Oh Boy 😩

[@joentell]

The prices fluctuate on some of these products. Certain products go on sale at predictable times a few times a year.

[@Evaquiel]

me, trying to follow the recommendations in Brazil..... all of these, if by a miracle are avalible, are up to 4 grand, in Brazilian reais (which if you compansate for real world value of coin, is about the same)

[@deuxvega]

Lol. why do so many ppl call somethin $129 when It's $129.98. Why not just say $130? Something my brain doesn't understand. Also, these measurements don't mean much. It's still mostly about tonality. With modern devices with room correction, many speakers can be EQ'ed to the right curves. That makes waaaay more impact than any expensive speaker does. I.e. think Wiim or a used old AV receiver. I have $3000+ Monitor Audio speakers getting their asses kicked in many ways by $179 Dali's after running room correction. Buying new speakers, unless you have some tax benefits, Isn't advisable anyway. Include budget for constant enough power to drive, technicalities like that are more important. Don't budget on those Chinese Class-D amps, just go for an entry A/B amp like Cambridge audio or used market, something for more cosistent power, as I've had quite weird results with Fosil or SMSL Also, If your situation has the space for It, forget about bass for bookshelve speakers and just budget in a subwoofer and buy speakers that can handle everything up from 100 ~ 120Hz masterfully and you'd be surprised how much you can achieve on a low budget, because good bass with a compact bookshelve? Forget It.

[@Audiomainia2310]

Hi Joe - the BS-41 was released way after Andrew Jones left - I think in a recent interview I saw with him on this new concentric design he stated emphatically he had nothing to do with the development of that speaker.

[@TheWalkerChronicles]

Andrew 100% did design the BS41.... He did not design the Debut Connect DCB41..

[@Audiomainia2310]

@@TheWalkerChronicles Not arguing with you - you have absolutely no proof of your claims whatsoever.

[@TheWalkerChronicles]

@@Audiomainia2310 Hi Return to Normalcy, Joe can confirm my claims.. Also, I am in charge of Product Development at ELAC. Andrew and I have worked together for over 20 years, including at Pioneer. The BS41 and the CS41 were the last speakers that Andrew designed at ELAC. Feel free to ask Andrew if you would like. He will also confirm it.....I should have stated that I work for ELAC in my original post...

[@joentell]

Chris Walker is the VP of Product Development at ELAC, so he definitely would know. I know you didn't know that in your response to him. I think you may be getting the comment about A.J. not being involved with a speaker design mixed up with another small ELAC speaker, the Debut ConneX. Another KZbin Reviewer reviewed them and made a thumbnail of AJ pointing at them with the headline "not mine".

[@Audiomainia2310]

@@TheWalkerChronicles No, I had no idea you worked for Elac whatsoever - my apologies.

[@Nellis202]

The Micca’s are great , but you’ll need a great amount of power to run them. So much for saving money. Not good (great)

[@joentell]

They can't get super loud anyway. Just use them in the right size room and you'll be good to go.

[@joshanderson3716]

"hey, look at these great speakers! Guess what?!?!?! you cannot get them! yay!"

[@haynbong]

Mahalo brah da Joe😎🤙

[@ald4989]

Now if only I could buy any of these in Europe…

[@khalilwm7750]

Hello

[@hipidipi20157max]

The sony are above 200 now

[@mateuszsawicki6495]

2137

[@tech4life884]

Nobody should ever buy the ELAC BS-41 for $165 because there usually $68.

[@joentell]

$68 isn't the normal price though. That was the price when I reviewed them and I mentioned that it was a known issue and someone at ELAC said specifically that the pricing was incorrect. But $165 is high. I usually see them around $149 I think. Either that or $129, I don't remember, but definitely not the $68 price point it was initially.

[@wagnerlopez9451]

Just want to give a heads up to everybody, the Micca RB42s don't have any bass, you start to hear a good bass when you raise the volume all the way up and let's be real, about 1% of us is going to hear a pair of bookshelfs at 90%+ volume. I had a pair of JBL Quantum duos for my desk and they sound great but, I wanted a pair of speakers with more bass without the use of a subwoofer, so I made the terrible mistake of switching to the Miccas and now I have a useless pair of bookshelfs, because I switched back to the JBLs. Yeah! the JBLs have more bass than the Miccas and it is a 2.5" driver. These measurements don't show everything, at about 40% volume, you won't even hear 90hz on the Miccas.

[@creativitycell]

All I need to know is do they sound good, and the Watt output! U don't even mention the watt output!😂

[@joentell]

RMS wattage is important especially for subwoofers. But if you're just posting some bookshelf speakers and decent volume, I think you might be surprised how little wattage you actually use.