My Top Picks for Bookshelf Speakers Around $500 and Under! - 2022

0:00 Intro
01:15 Kali Audio LP6 v2 amzn.to/37zzrOT
05:25 Polk Reserve R200 bit.ly/PolkR200AMZ
08:28 Monolith Encore B6 bit.ly/MonolithEncoreB6Bookshelf
13:23 Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 amzn.to/3UbuXjQ
16:17 Q-Acoustics 3030i bit.ly/QAcoustics3030iGraphite
17:45 ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 bit.ly/ELACUB5
24:14 Outro
25:14 Bonus Clip
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[@joentell]

🔥I just found out that using the DISCOUNT CODE "BF15" works to take another 15% off the Monolith Encore B6 speakers bringing them down to a silly $118 each price! I'm looking at buying more of these THX Satellites for my Atmos studio setup, or maybe just getting this 5.1 deal since I can always use an extra sub. THX Satellites: bit.ly/MonolithTHXCompactSatellite THX Compact M518HT 5.1 System: bit.ly/MonolithM518HT 🔥 Update: The Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 in Light Oak is currently $349 instead of $449! 0:00 Intro 01:15 Kali Audio LP6 v2 amzn.to/37zzrOT 05:25 Polk Reserve R200 bit.ly/PolkR200AMZ 08:28 Monolith Encore B6 bit.ly/MonolithEncoreB6Bookshelf 13:23 Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 amzn.to/3UbuXjQ 16:17 Q-Acoustics 3030i bit.ly/QAcoustics3030iGraphite 17:45 ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 bit.ly/ELACUB5 24:14 Outro 25:14 Bonus Clip My Speaker Leaderboard: bit.ly/SpeakerLeaderboard Disclosure: The Affiliate links above earn me a commission if you purchase using those links. This is at no additional cost to you.

[@scottbennett3119]

I appreciate all the effort you put into your video reviews. Very informative and enjoyable. Thanks

[@davidhoover2446]

Great video. When you were talking about rolled-off highs and Klipsch, you reminded me of my home theater journey. I'm a sucker for great bass. I found that I also love compression drivers. I have been a huge fan of the Klipsch KSP-300, KSP-400, and KSP-C6. They have a very wide dispersion pattern, powered sub built in, and a compression driver with rolled-off highs. They extend beyond 16kHz still, but they start rolling off at about 6kHz very gently in-room and have a really beautiful sound. The phase response is flatter than any speakers I've had in my house and only has a little extra group delay at about 2kHz where it crosses over. They are a gem of the Klipsch made in 1998-2000. I've tried all their older heritage products and new towers and bookshelf premier series and I was never real happy. The Chorus II speakers were pretty awesome if you were sitting on axis. Off axis, not really. The Klispch Forte II were good as well, very dynamic, but they alwylacked a little midbass. It's because around 200Hz, they have significant group delay. If you hear it later than the rest it sounds quieter so it made sense.

[@joentell]

Wow, you know your stuff! Good to have you here.

[@thishyna]

I bought a pair of B-stock Diamond 12.1s off your recommendation and they didn’t disappoint. Really loving em!

[@simoSLJ89]

Diamond 12.1 here in EU are just 280€! Amazing value!

[@K03sport]

even though I'm 7 months late; still enjoyed the video Joe. Love the Q-Acoustics line because they aren't just hard-edged rectangles and are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the ear. I may not want bookshelves, but I will definitely check out the floor-standers from each of these lines...Cheers.

[@mikedinno8413]

I will always recommend the NHT SuperOne 2.1 for this category of budget speakers. I know they have been around for a long time but they are a solid performing speaker for the money.

[@kevinbehnke7149]

Great recommendations! I've loved my Emotiva B1+ but I have moved on to a new love of the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1

[@joentell]

That Emotiva is one I wish I could have reviewed. I've heard good things about them and they measure well. What about the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 do you like more? What do you like about the Emotiva more?

[@kevinbehnke7149]

@@joentell The Emotiva has a very clear and airy top end. Not bright just clear. The Wharfedale Diamond to me has better Soundstage and imaging. Also that "body" in vocals. Music seems more 3D on the Wharfedale. I am using an Emotiva TA-100 for power.

[@KaitenKenbu]

Thanks for the info. Nice banker's lamp, your set up has fantastic aesthetics.

[@joentell]

Oh man, thank you! I was drawn to that lamp for some reason. Maybe because I saw it in old movies.

[@JanPippel]

You really have to get hands on the Monitor Audio Bronze 50 6th gen…soo amazing little speakers 👍 Many thanks for the comparison.

[@castro619a]

UB5 are beefy bois. I definitely recommend a good amp, but UB5 in a 2 channel system are insane. I actually have them as rear surrounds and when there’s explosions, mechs, Cannons or tanks, it sound effects are so good

[@tonyguevara5794]

The Elac's are in my 2 channel listening room. Bass is unreal, imagining is spot on. My top pick.

[@joentell]

In the right room, with the right placement, they can sound like you said...unreal.

[@andreisopu]

That fly sounded so real on headphones 🤣

[@joentell]

I figured some people would listen on headphones, and since I made a binaural recording, it should sound convincing. 😉

[@blueflame0003]

Joe...happy Thanksgiving to you and family love your videos keep up the good work...

[@joentell]

Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏 I appreciate you saying that.

[@bingdong8571]

Unifi center was on sale for 200$ so i bought two, flipped them on their side and use them as surrounds. Best bang for buck surrounds!

[@ryanr6240]

I'm auditioning the Polk R200 abd Klipsch 500m ii right now, I'm enjoying the Polk more and will probably be keeping them.

[@cb2000a]

My midrange/treble speakers are amazing and cost me a total of $50 each (I got some components for free). The first crossover point did not sound good, but on the second try it was magic. One of the keys is a good crossover point the other is really dead cabinets. Your cabinets should not vibrate at all (or at the least very little). I had an Android software program to help to the math as far as cabinet size.

[@ENGBriseB]

If you lived in the UK they're under £250 for the Wharfedale 12.1 which comes out 7th best selling speaker. That's budget and premium speakers at this moment in time. I bought this speaker as a part of a surround sound and it's a very good speaker and very well made. And with 4 terminals at the back for bi-wiring.

[@joentell]

Amazing price

[@andreassouth1523]

.I'm not into forward (in your face)sounding speakers. So i bought a month ago Q 3030i with Yamaha a-s 501.I was very worry maybe the sound turn out to be too bright for me.Ηappily the sound is laid back.The highs are crystal but not offencive,the mids are warm and revealingly and the bass deep and strong (in my room).In some movies bass gets very low frequencies like a subwoofer!The whole room is shaking!!So i don't have to spend more money for a subwoofer. Like i said i was worry about the synergy between them but Yamaha A-S 501 proved to be a true gem.

[@totalplonker824]

I don't know how you managed to get your rear and side walls looking like that but what I would imagine... the perception of the sound quality is going to be vastly improved. Nice job 👍

[@joentell]

It's mostly cosmetic, but I'm sure it can have some effect. Absorption made the biggest difference. My entire front wall has 4" acoustic foam because the reflection off that sounded terrible when I would record myself talking to the camera. The mic would pick all that up.

[@richardhopkins9493]

What do you think about the Heco aurora 300 bookshelf speakers. I absolutely love them and I got mine with an open box for 300.

[@Pablito5614]

Hey Joe new to your channel and I'm loving it. Awesome detail, straight to the point. I was wondering if the Hercules DJ Monitor 5 are still the best sounding monitors under $300 or if someone thing else has taken the crown at that price?

[@joentell]

My updated list is always here speakerleaderboard.com

[@TylerStout]

I think best at a price really depends on goals. For me I'm looking at what has the best center then buying the matching front surrounds (new term I'm coining lol). So for me I'm looking at speakers where the bookshelf speakers might only be ok compared to competition but the center doesn't have poor horizontal off axis response like you'll find with most mtm speakers. So my top 5, in no particular order, that I'd go for would be emotiva c1+ (b1+), SVS prime center (prime bookshelf), Kef Q150/q250c/q650c (q150/q350), Infinity rc263 (r162), and Monoprice THX-365C (THX-265B with built in jankmos). Someone looking for music only speakers you're recommendations are probably better tho.

[@joentell]

That makes sense. You always make sense though.

[@nathanwhite617]

How do we feel about the ELAC debut line? They are really cheap right now and I am looking for something with a front port because of some challenging room placement issues. I am conditioned by budget to appreciate sound without having the best stuff. I want to branch into a full surround system eventually.

[@agorey]

What do you think about the Kanto Tuk or the Triangle LN01A? I’m looking to buy some speakers mainly for gaming. Thank you for your advice.

[@samuelhorvath8818]

Hi, I’m getting my wife a fluance rt83 turntable for Christmas and was wondering if you had some recommendations for good powered speakers to pair with it. It will be a medium sized room if that helps. Thanks!

[@powerguymark]

I'm going with a pair of self amplified, Bluetooth connectivity Kanto YU6's with Kanto 32 inch (wire hiding) stands. $555.00 all in. Also has a subwoofer output for a future subwoofer. Blows away sound bars and has a high WAF, especially in white.

[@joentell]

Kanto makes great looking speakers with tons of functionality. I've reviewed a few pairs before from the YU and Tuk series.

[@powerguymark]

@@joentell it's because of your reviews that I have purchased multiple Kanto products gave them to my kids for dorm room speakers. To my friends in place of the crappy sound bar they had. Doing the same for myself with a pair of TUK's and a wireless sub. I'd like to schedule a time for you to help me tweak with your beans my 9.1.4 system in my basement. (Is it proper nomenclature to list it as 9.1.4 instead of 9.2.4 since I have two subs?

[@joentell]

@@powerguymark That's awesome! I'm happy I am able to help in some way. If you're interested in some magic beans, make sure to sign up for the newsletter at avmasterclass.com 9.1.4 is correct since it refers to the channel layout, not the speaker layout. Then you can just say how many subs you have after. It's always .1 because there's only 1 LFE channel regardless of how many subs you have. ;-)

[@coolpilot100]

Which speaker will work best with my Wiim Pro Plus for classical music in my small condo?

[@markallan4849]

You have done the best reviews on bookshelf speakers so far. I like the Elac speakers because of the 3-way speaker system but I'm a bass punch kind of guy though and it sounded like the Monolith Encore B6 speakers had more bass response than the Elac. On another note, I wanted to ask you if you ever listened to the Sony SSCS5 speakers which were not in this review. Thanks for any info you could give me.

[@joentell]

Thank you. I've never tried the Sony's. Many others have though.

[@anaxa4883]

Joe is one of the only honest speaker reviewers on KZbin. Almost everyone else ignores the superiorities of active DSP'd speakers, they dismiss ASR and EAC Klippel measurements, and they don't even bother to make their own measurements.

[@Timoeltejano]

Looking for some guidance. Ok. I had the Elac Debut 6.2 and I returned them to Amazon. I found them extremely boring. Looking for suggestions, here's my setup for 2 channel #1 Klipsch RP-6000F ii as my "A"speakers. Looking in the sun $500 range for my "B" speakers and I want something that is fun. I'm thinking Elac UB5s maybe but really open to suggestions. My receiver is either the Yamaha RS300 or Cambridge Audio AXR100. I go back and forth because I really enjoy them both.

[@guilhermeprado7851]

Q Acoustics 3030i or Polk Audio Reserve R200? Here in Brazil, about the same price. I can't decide. For hi-fi listening and electronic music production (for fun). Using as desktop speakers. I have a Violectric DAC V800 and a Adcom GFA-5400. Thanks in advance!

[@thatwaseasy9190]

I have a pair of the UB5s and they do sound good, but they need a lot of power. Also, they don’t sound great at lower volumes. Overall good speaker but I am going to sell these and try something different.

[@skateboardkid420]

I got a set of NHT SB3 for a killer deal used on ebay, bast speakers I have ever heard.

[@udmbfckx2916]

The Polk R200 may save the $ purchase and space of a subwoofer. The lowest price at this time is from turntable lab. At $599.

[@irldoge2936]

Would you go with the LP6 V2's or the Wharfdale's for a pair of speakers to use with a TV and maybe on a desk? They're actually exactly the same price right now so I'm wondering what's the better option Also aren't the LP6 V2's studio monitors? Wouldn't that put them not in as good a category specifically for using as bookshelf speakers? Genuinely interested, I'm trying to make a purchase decision.

[@joentell]

I would go with the LP6v2's if you don't already have an amp. You could also just get a small class D amp to run the Wharfedale's, but they still won't have DSP correction. Added cost. You can see why the LP6v2's are so tough to beat at that price point. Downside to the Kali Audio is that they are meant for studio monitors, meaning they aren't as pretty and there's no option for a grill. The Wharfedale Diamond 12.1's are nice looking in my opinion. Those are real things to consider. As far as category, I would expect the passive speakers would be less expensive and the powered/active one to be more, just based on the components required. In this case, it's the other way around. It almost doesn't make sense to me how they're able to price these this low. Good for us, though!

[@lawlaw9176]

I found that most of the stuff in our era around 500~800usd are giving out very high price/performance ratio, I told this to my dad, he said it is because many of us are just too poor and lazy to jamming the system by ourselves and these company just do their best to entertain us, like me😂 I remember when I was a child my dad very got deep into his hi-fi system with a lot of amps and transparent tubes stuff with a bunch of stand speaker, well all of them blown out anyway because he miscalculates the ohms stuff🤣btw the elac speakers are nice!!!

[@alphanumeric1529]

My dad had to keep a draw full of fuses for the 1812, never let an 8 year old crank the volume to hear the cannons crack the air and shake the house.

[@Steve30x]

Thank you for looking out for us who aren't loaded. Can you do a similar video for affo4dable floor standing speake4s please. I can't use rear ported speake4s because of my roo layout. I need 5o keep my speakers closer to the wall.

[@joentell]

You're welcome. I don't know of many sealed floor standing speakers. I think at that point, you may want to look into bookshelf speakers + stands + sub.

[@Steve30x]

@@joentell I have a yamaha ns sw300 sub already but the side firing port was z stupid idea. I'm looking for front por5ed floor standers bug I found polk audio signature floor standing speakers with a downward firing port for €219 each.

[@charlesking678]

The polk r200's are legit you have to spend a ton more to flat out best it in terms of performance.

[@joentell]

I agree. They do a lot of things right.

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@joentell Interesting comparison video Joe, thanks. I liked the R200 and the UB5’s! The “problem” is I have a pair of old Polks (Monitor 10’s, upgraded XO’s and tweeters) and also, you guessed it, a pair of inexpensive Elac bookshelf speakers🤣. I avoid subs for home stereo. Btw, I have a pair of expensive Wharfedales; SO sweet, my best pair sonically. 👨🏻 Happy Holidays!🥳

[@Le_volver]

We're coming out multimedia version of LPs!!! Should be out within 2 weeks!!!! Lookout for Kali Audio MM6. You'll be able to connect to almost everything without any hassle =]

[@sharminsultana7298]

Hi we got wharfedale Evo 4.2. would you recommend any other speakers around 1000usd ? Thanks

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@sharminsultana7298 those are decent speakers.. is there something you don’t like about the 4.2’s ??

[@DescartesRenegade]

Of all the audio channels I follow, I value your opinion the most. Here's why- you hate amp hiss and so do I. Oh, and you take measurements. You don't just blather away with subjective voodoo. I'm an engineer, so when someone says one speaker is better than the other, I want to see the data. Also, would love for you to cover some of the Chinese made powered speakers from Swan and Edifier. I recently decided to pick up a pair of AirPulse a300 over a pair of A7Vs....and we all know how revered Adam's are.

[@joentell]

Thanks for that. I try to balance subjective and objective. The other thing is I do spend a lot of time doing real-world testing.

[@grogmonster2408]

What about the Edifier S3000pros ? What do you think of them ?

[@sharminsultana7298]

We got wharfedale Evo 4.2. would you recommend any other speakers around 1000usd? Thanks

[@sonebombone]

What do you think about focal chora 806?

[@greatpix]

Using an inflation calculator $500 in today's dollars would buy you $65.10 in 1970 when I bought my first piece of good audio gear. No one spent $65 on speakers back then. I built my own speakers in '70 but later in the decade bought a pair of John Iverson built Electro Research 320 speakers. Years later I sold them to a friend who recently said he still listens to them and they still sound great.

[@marcelomunoz4130]

Klipsch the fives or edifier s 2000 mk3? For movie anda music? Thanks!!!!

[@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 bookshelf speakers best suited for my requirements and preference.🙏

[@alphanumeric1529]

You can get chill pills around $20 a pop, you might wanna take two, sort of in stereo, so for $40 you might be okay for 4-5 hours. All the best.

[@sujitbose7411]

@@alphanumeric1529 hilarious🤣

[@erichutter571]

Joe! Can you make an "best under a thousand"? Or give me a few quick recommendations on here? Or are they not even worth it? I assume quite a few are...

[@joentell]

I plan on it. Check my Speaker Leaderboard. It's all based on that. Http://bit.ly/SpeakerLeaderboard

[@_maverick_9881]

Can these bookshelf speakers be used with a sumwoofer?

[@gage4375]

Wich one of these speakers is best for female vocals

[@bingdong8571]

The biggest key is to wear eyeglasses and look up and slightly to the right with a thoughtful expression.

[@joentell]

Not to the left though. That looks sketchy. 😉

[@mikeschmidt2339]

How do I like the 500m2 or600m2

[@JP1050x]

I have a set of Q Acoustics 3030i’s with their dedicated stands. Excellent speakers, paired with my older Rega Brio-R amp. I’d probably have to spend $1000+ to upgrade to next level performance, compared to the 3030i’s.

[@joentell]

That is a nice combo. It feels like one solid unit.

[@JP1050x]

@@joentell the stands are really nice. They help the speakers control bass, and put the tweeter at the ideal position. It’s a great combo at medium range distance listening.

[@joentell]

The IsoAcoustics Gaia III's are probably more expensive than the stands, but they had the cool effect of acting like suction cups on flat surfaces which made the stand very stable, while also decoupling them from the floor.

[@QAT4969]

KEF uni-Q is not in the list?

[@utubecomment21]

Never understood the fascination with AJ speakers. Most of them are pretty diabolical!

[@joentell]

di·a·bol·i·cal adjective 1. characteristic of the Devil, or so evil as to be suggestive of the Devil. 2. INFORMAL•BRITISH disgracefully bad or unpleasant. Are you British? 😁

[@doomsday247]

Monolith encore or Wharfedale 12 which one would you prefer?

[@joentell]

I'm going with the Encore. Both are good options though. I just prefer the extra bass. The Wharfedale looks better, and I would choose it if space was a concern.

[@barrettgarcia8594]

I know this video was a while back but could you (or anyone here) recommend any of these speakers over the other if price wasn't and obstacle?

[@joentell]

My speaker leaderboard has my favorite speakers at higher price points.

[@amanieux]

des the kali lp6 v2 apply a Loudness And The Fletcher-Munson Curve with it's dsp ? (boosting bass and trebble when volume is low)

[@joentell]

No, it doesn't do dynamic EQ. It has dip switches to tailor the EQ based on where you have your speakers placed.

[@amanieux]

@@joentell are there affordable studio monitor or AFFORDABLE amp that do dynamic EQ ? or is there a soflware solution that runs on a PC ?

[@joentell]

@@amanieux maybe a software solution, but no hardware other than a Denon or Marantz AVR with Dynamic EQ

[@o.c.g.m9426]

I upgrade once every 5 years....buy once cry once...my set up is all klipsch 504cii-center, 4-502sii for surrounds' 6-rp500sa's for heights & RP-8000Fiis & anthem 70 8K till 2027

[@game7023]

Do i need a subwoofer for my pc set up with Kali Audio LP6 v2 in your opinion? thanks

[@joentell]

I like a sub in almost every situation.

[@game7023]

@@joentellthanks for advice!

[@johnpravato3042]

Vanatoo T1 Encores

[@mk-os8gl]

hi joe - how do speaker designers control response on passive speakers? thx

[@joentell]

Driver design choices, enclosure design, and crossover design.

[@mk-os8gl]

@@joentell thank you

[@progrock3603]

No Heco Aurora 300 huh?

[@Murderbits]

The Q accoustics are now almost $500.

[@abmia77]

My top bookshelf speakers? The minty pair of B&W 805 Matrix I picked at an estate sale for $50.

[@jimturpin6503]

How can you use these bookshelf speakers with a desktop computer?

[@joentell]

All of them accept RCA analog inputs. The passive speakers require an amplifier. There are many small, class D amps

[@jimturpin6503]

@@joentell Thank you.

[@therealjeepking]

Those monoliths are on sale for $89 right now fyi.

[@amanieux]

no love for wharfedale denton 85th anniversary ?

[@joentell]

That wasn't under that price point when I did this

[@EDCReviewz]

Awww man.....I just picked up the Klipsch The Fives today for $460. Hate to not see them on here!

[@joentell]

They are up there! They serve a specific purpose with HDMI ARC capabilities. So if you need that, they're an easy recommendation. The bass is nuts for the size and they look and feel way better than they should at the price you got them for. No regrets. Most of the ones I mentioned here don't have nearly the number of features that does. I think that may have been on my top 5 best for desktop though.

[@EDCReviewz]

@@joentell My teenage daughter is getting into vinyl, so I'm pairing them with a nice miderange Audio Technica player. The extra connections will come in handy in the future! The fact that I don't need a pre amp/amp sold it for me. I will get a nice tube amp at some point, though.

[@joentell]

@@EDCReviewz See there you go! None of these here could've done what you wanted with the phono input. You did good!

[@EDCReviewz]

@@joentell Thank you! Your review of the Fives definitely helped in my decision!

[@carlsitler9071]

The Diamond 8.4s were terrible.

[@Chokechain1111]

You can buy very good used speakers for 500 bills .screw that trash the host suggested.

[@krosan606]

Does this guy even know audio. All I see is a fly.

[@joentell]

You were my beta tester. 🤣

[@krosan606]

I’m a master beta.

[@timtodd22]

Loved the fly add. :) Also 15% off and free shipping with the already discounted monoprice speakers with code BF15.

[@joentell]

You guys know more about the deals than I do! Good tip! Sponsored by The Fly.