Good bass depth and high quality of a sound are an integral part of the good speaker, and modern devices are able to please music lovers with these characteristics. The best bookshelf speakers under 300 dollars, which are regarded as affordable products with deep basses and surrounded sound, may become a great solution for high-quality sound lovers and money savers. However, if you are still doubting about the budget you’d like to spend, welcome to our general best bookshelf speakers review.
There are 2 speakers’ types are presented on the market: active (also known as powered) and passive (also known as unpowered). Active speakers are supplemented by an inbuilt power amplifier and can work only with a power source (or battery) when passive speakers need an external power amplifier or AV receiver for full functioning. The active models can be the best bookshelf speakers under 300 dollars for those people, who want to have the modern all-in-one system and a combo amplifier. While the mentioned speakers are small enough to fit in the bookshelves, the resulting sound feels like they are much larger. Passive speakers are hard to call such a solid structure because they can’t work without speaker cables, which are made to transfer the music from the amplifier to speakers.
Passive bookshelf speakers under 300 dollars can become great helpers in creating a powerful and really absorbing live sound, using the subwoofer and separate crossover components that split the signal to the high frequencies (go to the main speaker) and low frequencies (go to the subwoofer). The active unit can’t perform the same tasks. Moreover, the passive units can be easily fixed in a case of break appearance. If the amplifier breaks down, it can be simply replaced. If the speaker blows, it’s possible to swap it out for another one. The active variant can’t boast with such a service easiness and it should be repaired by a professional.
The best bookshelf speakers under 300 reviews
Below is a list of the best bookshelf speakers under $300 that have won the public recognition due to the affordability and aesthetic appeal, which are regarded as pleasant bonuses to the high-quality sound.
The best powered bookshelf speakers
Audioengine A2+ — Hi-Fi Sound and Hand-finished Wood Corps
This powered bookshelf speakers under 300 dollars provide full and clear audio. The devices were designed for desktop but the custom Audioengine components allow the unit to spread the sound all over the room. The units show “monitor” sound in the near zone, so they can also be installed on the sides of the monitor and create a full stereo image. The speakers don’t use the digital signal processing and faux bass boost circuits so the sound is very realistic.
When the units are connected to Mac Pro (it’s used a built-in USB DAC) there appear some clicking sounds in the first speaker, while the second speaker doesn’t produce strange noises. The powered devices also start heating up very quickly, so it’s better to place them in a ventilated room and not to leave turned on for a long time. It has a perfect sound out of the box, so there is no need to perform the additional adjustment process manually.
Pros
- Multiple inputs and output work greatly and without interruptions.
- The volume control can be performed via built-in preamp or external preamp/computer/source.
- The speakers have good midrange and highs with no appreciable distortion at high volume.
- There is no loss of damping (driver control).
- Less loading on each amp with load is divided among multiple amps.
Cons
- The satellite speaker wire, which comes in a set, is too short, so it’s better to replace it as quick as possible.
- It’s not very comfortable to change the volume because the controller is located on the rare side.
- The left speaker is noticeably louder than the right speaker and such a peculiarity can be easily heard.
Swans Speakers M200MKII — Stylish Design and Bluetooth Connectivity
The powered bookshelf speaker under 300 dollars has a crisp, warm sound with a thick mid-bass response. The Swans Speakers can produce an amazing coherent stereo-image with a wide sweet spot, which put the vocalist at the center of a wide and passably holographic soundstage. The reproduced sound is powered enough to fill as small, as big rooms with sound and create a feeling of total immersion in tracks.
It’s gorgeous that heavy MDF corps greatly reduces its resonance, making the sound really detail and highly dynamic. The remote controller is severe and laconic. It contains only basic buttons (silver) that don’t stick, are easily pushed and look very modern on the dark controller.
The devices can become really amazing additions for solo performers, house bands, DJ’s, and public speakers/orators. It produces a loud and clear sound that is perfect for mentioned occupations.
Pros
- The distinct clear highs without being too sharp or tiresome are amazing.
- The accurate sound reproduction at any volume makes it possible to listen to any music without being affected by the creaking, squeaking, and wheezing.
- The speakers are paired phone tablet or computer wirelessly and without problems.
Cons
- The device isn’t good for games or dance/trance/metal music listening because the sound isn’t enough deep and seems a little bit artificial in these cases.
- There are some pooping sounds when nothing is being played. That’s annoying.
The best passive bookshelf speakers
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 — Wide-dispersion Waveguide Tweeter and High Sensitivity
That is great that after the speakers being installed around the room, it’s possible to go back to the mixing area and modify settings from the control center rather than run around the room to perform changes to every speaker separately. The sound is very well balanced and doesn’t contain any coloration, conquering by its neutrality. The high frequencies seem to be clear and without harshness. Passive speakers produce sounds like dialogue and acoustic vocal recordings with lack of warmth, but the B6.2’s rendering is far from offensive. The B6.2 sound picture is very wide and 3D. The complex multi-layered mix of acoustic and electric guitars, drums, and vocals is perceived more clearly. The speakers color of sound is less expressed, and it seems that the case is in the presence of internal screeds.
The devices look very classically and have a high-quality assembly. There are no cracks and corps’ gaps for dust accumulation, so the design is made perfectly for everyday use. The body has wood grain finish that fits all the interiors and can be an aesthetic addition.
Pros
- Port is placed on the front side and makes placement much easier.
- Devices sound very detailed but not offensive, so even the most saturated music tracks won’t bring the audial discomfort.
- The bass is precise and room-filling without being too loud.
Cons
- The speakers quickly become heated up. It’s better to install small coolers in order to increase the period of work.
- The sound disappears from one speaker from time to time and it’s very stressful.
- The devices have a greater probability of amplifier clipping and driver damage owing to a higher power and serious impedance loads.
ELAC B6 Debut — Woven Aramid-Fiber Woofer and Intricate Crossover
These passive speakers have really impressive sound loudness. There are some distortions at high volume, but they don’t prevent the possibility to hear all the sounds even in a room filled with the people. They do put out a balanced, rich, full-range of sound that is enough for a middle-sized room. It’s definitely amazing that the phase inverter is located on the rear speaker panel, the low frequencies can be adjusted to a certain extent by changing the distance from the speaker to the wall.
It’s great that the ELAC B6 is supplemented by the aramid fiber, which offers a outstrip strength-to-weight ratio and improved damping specifications over conventional plastic or paper drivers. Neat dust screens cover the front panel. Vocals, both male and female, seem quite forward and perhaps a little garish.
Pros
- Sound staging and stereo separation are really great.
- It has a high overload capacity and low distortion.
- The devices show all the hidden sound features of both new and old songs.
- The special outlet’s geometry provides a smooth flow of air.
- The low ends, crisp clear treble, and pleasant-to-ears highs are amazing. There is no wheezing even after the long working day.
Cons
- Sometimes the midbass and bass are too punchy and the speaker’s resetting is the only way to solve the problem.
- The speakers look cheap and feel cheap.
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