When it comes to getting good-quality speakers, design plays a significant role in the decision-making. The case is the same with vintage speakers, but now that classic designs are being phased out, picking out one with good value and quality is even more difficult.
To help you find great options that are worth your money, we have rounded up the best vintage speakers under 500 in the market.
Reviews of the Best Vintage Speakers Under 500
1. Edifier S1000DB Audiophile Active Speakers
The Edifier S1000DB Audiophile Active Bookshelf Speakers are classically-designed speakers that offer the sound output that our experts loved.
The dynamic range and sound clarity of these vintage speakers brought are impressive, as they come with tweeters that produce natural sounds. With the treble and bass driver, you get to hear a balanced treble and bass sound.
Our team also loves this pair’s sturdy build quality, although they are quite heavy. The wood material ensures that the speakers will last for an extended period.
Additionally, it includes aptX Bluetooth technology, allowing you to stream high-quality music stress-free with minimal sound loss.
What We Like
- Incredible sound quality
- Great build quality
- Wireless music streaming
- Deep and clear bass sounds
- Straightforward setup
What We Don't Like
- Quite heavy
- Can get too loud
2. Fluance SX6W High Definition Two-Way Loudspeakers
This budget, vintage-looking pair of speakers comes with everything you need of a speaker to deliver an immersive audio performance. Although the design doesn’t bear much similarity with most vintage speakers, our experts were satisfied with the MDF wood cabinet’s stylish finish and the overall build quality.
The Fluance SX6W Two-Way Bookshelf Loudspeakers come with a 5-inch polymer woofer and 1-inch tweeter that blends high, mid, and low-level sounds, ensuring that you hear crisp and balanced sounds that fill the room.
This pair of speakers are convenient to install and can easily complement any home theater setup. Overall, these are quality vintage speakers for the right price which are comparable to other top-performing bookshelf speakers under 200.
What We Like
- Solidly built and outstanding design
- Great value for money
- Produces undistorted sounds
- Seamless to set up
What We Don't Like
- The bass quality is a little lackluster at first when not broken in
- Lacks Bluetooth connectivity
3. Edifier R1280T 2.0 Stereo Active Near-Field Speakers
If you want the best affordable vintage speakers with the right power output to fill a medium-sized room, you should consider the Edifier R1280T speakers.
These speakers come with a 4-inch woofer and dome tweeters that create amazing and balanced sounds. Additionally, it comes with a bass reflex port that delivers rich bass notes.
Edifier R1280T supports dual RCA inputs that allow you to connect the speaker to devices like PC, tablet, and smartphone.
The bookshelf speakers include a remote control for convenient use. It allows you to switch up functions, adjust volume controls, and even mute the speakers without reaching the speakers.
What We Like
- Compact and portable
- Includes remote control for convenient use
- Delivers rich bass sounds
- Multiple inputs
- Great finish
- Affordable
What We Don't Like
- Not great for big rooms
- The power output is somewhat low
4. Marshall Black Stanmore Bluetooth Speaker
The Marshall Black Stanmore Bluetooth Speaker is another great Bluetooth speaker alternative that delivers unique and clear sound performance. The speaker’s portability is top-notch, as you won’t find it challenging to move it from one place to another. The design is classic vintage and comes in a nice finish for more durability.
Despite its small size, the speaker has an 80W power consumption, meaning that it can get very loud at its peak. The 5¼-inch woofer driver and dome tweeter produce a balance of low and high sounds, improving your listening experience.
The speaker includes various inputs and is easy to set up with a Bluetooth-enabled device for music streaming.
What We Like
- Convenient to set up via Bluetooth connectivity
- Nice finish
- Highly portable
- Crisp and balanced sounds
- Easy to conceal
What We Don't Like
- It’s relatively costly
- The bass isn’t as deep as expected
Vintage Speakers Under 500 Buyer’s Guide
When buying the best vintage speaker under 500, you need to consider some factors, as they will tremendously influence your choice. It would be best if you considered the following factors.
Design and Size
Although all speakers in this review are vintage and constructed with the same wood material, they differ in sizes and finishes. Some are more compact than others, while others arrive in a more polished wood than others.
Speakers with polished wood designs like Fluance SX6W High Definition Two-Way Bookshelf Loudspeakers are better aesthetic-wise than those in regular wood finishes.
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Sound Quality
The speaker’s sound quality is an essential factor to consider when buying the best vintage speaker under 500.
How deep and high is the speaker? The speaker should deliver a mix of crisp treble and bass sounds for the best audio performance
Frequency Range
The frequency range of a speaker determines its sound clarity. Vintage speakers with an extensive frequency range will produce well-detailed and exact low, mid, and high sound levels[1].
Connectivity
Speakers with various connectivity options like Bluetooth, RCA, and AUX inputs will make it easy to stream and listen to music from other sources.
Price
While all vintage speakers in this review are under the $500 budget, the various features and design escalated some over others’ prices. Conclusively, you should buy the best speaker that fits your budget.
Our Top Pick for a Vintage Speaker Under 500: Edifier S1000DB
After weighing in the features of various vintage speakers, our experts conclude that the Edifier S1000DB Audiophile Active Bookshelf Speakers is the best vintage speaker under 500.
Its dynamic range and sound quality are outstanding and powerful enough to fill a big-sized room. Additionally, the speakers’ cabinets are built with strong MDF wood, enhancing the speakers’ durability.
Furthermore, it makes streaming music from other connected devices easy, thanks to its Bluetooth technology.
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