Compared with passive speakers, powered speakers with built-in amplification allow for a simpler, cleaner setup. They eliminate at least one component (the receiver or amplifier) and at least one cable. All of them have one or more analog audio inputs for you to directly connect your audio source. Most add some sort of digital audio input, and a few even have a phono input for a turntable.
There are some technical merits to building amps into speakers. For example, speaker designers can use digital signal processing (DSP) to fine-tune the speakers’ sound, and they can limit the amplifiers’ output so that it’s impossible to overdrive the speakers. So-called “active” powered speakers have individual amplifiers for each speaker driver, which lets the designers tune the sound specifically for each driver. But in the price ranges we’re covering here, powered speakers can’t claim a clear sonic advantage over passive speakers.
However, it’s complicated to build a home-theater system around powered speakers. You’re usually better off using passive speakers and a multichannel AV receiver.
Top pick: Victrola Tempo VPS-400
Top pick
These compact speakers sound good and look great, and they offer a good selection of connection options, although they lack HDMI and phono connections.
The Victrola Tempo VPS-400 speaker system delivers good sound, great styling, and a few nice features that can help optimize sound quality and convenience. It also has an impressive array of connection options for a speaker system in this price range, including Bluetooth Auracast transmission.
The sound quality is excellent for the price. The Victrola Tempo held its own in a brand-concealed listening test against our upgrade pick, the pricier Edifier M90. This speaker pair produced a similarly satisfying sound, even if it couldn’t quite match the Edifier system’s bass output and treble clarity. The even balance of bass, midrange, and treble makes the Tempo suitable for any kind of music, as well as for movies. It also sounded fuller than our budget pick, the HiVi-Swans OS-10.
The Tempo’s 4-inch woofers can’t put out powerful bass, but you can easily add a subwoofer for that. The connection panel includes a subwoofer output that incorporates a filter to remove the bass (below 116 Hertz) from the Tempo speakers and route it to the subwoofer; this filter allows the Tempo speakers to play louder with less distortion. We loved the way adding the Rogersound Labs Speedwoofer 10S MKII subwoofer helped fill out the sound on electronic music and movie soundtracks, but even a smaller subwoofer such as the Dayton Audio SUB-1000L can make this system sound surprisingly satisfying.
The Tempo’s frequency response measurements were good for a relatively inexpensive model, at ±3.1 decibels through most of the audio range. We detected a dip in treble response centered at about 10 kilohertz, but this was audible only on high-pitched instruments such as cymbals and violins.
This set includes useful connections. My favorite feature of the Tempo speaker system is the signal-sensing RCA and 3.5 mm analog inputs. When an audio signal hits one of these inputs, the Tempo automatically powers up and switches to that input. That feature came in especially handy when I connected the Tempo system to my TV’s variable audio output: When I turned the TV on, the Tempo also came on, and the TV’s remote allowed me to control the Tempo’s volume. It’s almost as convenient as having an HDMI connection. Optical and USB-C digital audio inputs are also included.
The Tempo has Bluetooth support, of course, and it adds Auracast capability, which allows it to transmit whatever audio it’s playing to other Auracast devices to create a simple multiroom audio system. However, Auracast compatibility among devices of different brands is uncertain. For example, I was able to get the EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds to tune in to the Tempo’s Auracast signal by activating the Auracast option in EarFun’s app. But I had no luck getting the JBL Charge 6, Flip 7, and Go 4 Bluetooth speakers to receive the Auracast signal from the Tempo.
The Tempo system can also receive audio through Auracast, but only from other Auracast-equipped Victrola devices, which for now means only the Victrola Wave turntable.
The speakers are beautifully designed. It’s hard to imagine who might object to the Tempo system’s sleek, modern design. It’s available in four matte finishes (black, white, blue, and green). It’s also sturdily built, with robust RCA jacks of the same type usually found on multi-thousand-dollar high-end audio components. A front-mounted knob controls power, volume, and input selection. Each speaker measures just 9 by 5.8 by 7.3 inches. Victrola offers angled stands designed for using the Tempo speakers on a desktop.
Most powered speaker systems come with about 6 feet of cheap, thin-gauge “zip cord” to connect the two speakers. Not only is this cable often insufficiently long to put one speaker on each side of a big-screen TV, but it’s also easy to accidentally connect the speakers out of phase, which makes the sound spacey and unfocused. Victrola instead provides a sturdy, 13-foot cable tipped with RCA plugs, which makes it impossible to connect the speakers out of phase.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The upper treble doesn’t sound smooth. We enjoyed the Tempo’s sound overall, except in the upper range of the treble; high-pitched tones from cymbals and acoustic guitars sounded a little garbled at times.
This system doesn’t sound as robust as larger and pricier models. The Edifier M90 and Fluance Ri71 both sounded clearer and less distorted at loud volumes than the Tempo did.
It’s missing some features. The system does not come with a remote control, nor does it include tone controls to fine-tune the sound, although we don’t think it needed them. You also don’t get the HDMI port and remote control offered with our upgrade pick.
Upgrade pick: Edifier M90
Upgrade pick
These powered speakers are a little pricier than our top pick, but they sound clearer and work better with TVs.
If you are serious about sound quality, the Edifier M90 powered speakers are a great choice and a remarkable value. The M90 offers several advantages over our top pick: exceptional clarity, nearly perfect measured performance, an HDMI connection, and a remote control.
This system sounds especially clear and natural. We’ve tried lots of very good powered speakers priced under $600, but the M90 sounds just a little clearer than the rest, for nearly half that price. The difference is most apparent on recordings with lots of treble energy, such as tunes featuring acoustic guitars, percussion, violins, and female vocals. On just about every recording I listened to, the M90 sounded subtly more lively.
The M90’s bass is surprisingly strong for such a small speaker. Even when I cranked up Audrey Nuna’s “damn Right”, the M90 speakers didn’t distort, and their bass ports didn’t chuff. With the same tune played at the same volume, the Victrola Tempo’s woofers sounded a little strained and slightly distorted.
Our measurements showed that the M90’s frequency response is almost perfectly flat, at ±2.1 decibels through most of the audio band. It does have slightly boosted treble way up around 15 kilohertz, but few recordings have much energy in that range. The system also incorporates Sony’s LDAC Bluetooth codec, which can result in subtly better sound if you use an LDAC-equipped Android phone.
It connects to most audio sources. Despite its tiny size, the M90 offers lots of connection options: a 3.5 mm analog input, a USB-C input, an optical digital audio input, and an HDMI eARC port. Connecting the speakers to a TV via HDMI eARC allows the TV’s remote to control the speakers’ volume, so you can use the M90 much the way you would a soundbar.
The M90 also has a 3.5 mm analog output for connecting a subwoofer, although there’s no high-pass filter to help the speakers blend better with a subwoofer. (Our top pick does have this feature.)
It’s compact and elegant. The M90’s minimalist, modern design doesn’t call attention to itself, but it looks great nonetheless. It’s available in black or white. Measuring just 8.3 by 5.25 by 8.75 inches, the speaker is compact enough to fit on many shelves, although the rear bass ports make it impractical to shove up against a wall.
The M90 includes a slim remote that controls power, volume, mute, source selection, and play/pause and track skip for Bluetooth sources. It also has buttons to directly access four sound modes: Classic (default), Dynamic, Monitor, and Customized. The Customized mode accesses a nine-band graphic equalizer, which can be adjusted through the Edifier ConneX app. The app also lets you choose whether the speaker with the electronics built in is used for the right or left channel.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It doesn’t produce deep bass. Like almost all small speakers, the M90 can’t really reproduce the lowest notes of an upright or electric bass, and this system can’t deliver the visceral whomp of a kick drum. You can add a subwoofer, though.
The only control knob is on the rear. If you can’t find the remote, or don’t want to bother with the Edifier ConneX app, you’ll have to reach around the back of the right-channel speaker to power up the speaker, adjust the volume, and change sources.
There’s no grille to protect the drivers. An accidental brush against the tweeter (or a poke from a curious finger) could dent its diaphragm.
It doesn’t have a built-in phono preamp. Unlike our previous upgrade pick, the ELAC Debut ConneX DCB41, the M90 doesn’t have a switch that converts its analog input for use with a turntable. You’ll have to use a turntable with a built-in phono preamp or add a separate phono preamp.
Budget pick: HiVi-Swans OS-10
Budget pick
These powered speakers perform shockingly well for their price, and they look great. But they have fewer connection options than our other powered picks.
The HiVi-Swans OS-10 powered speakers are a terrific choice for those who want excellent sound at a low price, or in a smaller speaker. The OS-10 system actually sounds clearer and looks nicer than many of the more expensive powered bookshelf speakers we tested — but it lacks HDMI and phono connections and a subwoofer output, so it’s much less versatile. Also, it can’t match the bass performance of larger models.
This system produces the best sound we’ve heard for the price. When we did a brand-concealed test of the OS-10 against our previous top pick, the Andover Audio SpeakEasy 4, and the much larger Dayton Audio B65A, we were shocked to find that the relatively tiny OS-10 was our clear favorite. It had an exceptionally clear sound, with a strong but not overemphasized treble that made voices sound more intelligible yet still natural. Because of its neutral-sounding tone, this speaker system works well with most genres of music … except for bass-heavy EDM and hip-hop.
We were also shocked to hear how good the bass coming from the OS-10’s little 4-inch woofers sounded. No, it doesn’t play the low notes particularly loud or deep, but what bass it does have is well-balanced with the midrange and treble. It sounds clear and well-defined rather than boomy.
The OS-10 delivered one of the best frequency response measurements we’ve ever seen for a speaker, at ±1.6 decibels through almost the entire audio band, which means that the mix of instruments and voices will be preserved and nothing will sound unnatural.
It has enough connections to assemble a basic system. The OS-10 speakers offer Bluetooth, optical and coaxial digital audio inputs, and a stereo RCA input. That’s enough to connect a phone or tablet, a computer, and a TV. You can also connect a turntable, but you’ll have to include your own phono preamp or get a record player with the preamp built in.
This system looks terrific. Unlike most affordable stereo speaker systems, the OS-10 has a sophisticated, stylish design that doesn’t look cheap in any way. The molded, black front baffle and the absence of visible grille fasteners make it look like a much more expensive product.
At just 8 inches high, 7.5 inches deep, and 5.2 inches wide, this speaker is compact enough to fit almost anywhere. The speakers do have rear ports, though, so it’s a bad idea to shove them all the way into a shelving unit or against a wall.
A touchscreen on the top of the right-channel speaker lets you turn the power on and off, select the input, and adjust or mute the volume. The touchscreen is illuminated; even when the system power is off, the power button has red backlighting, so you can find it in the dark.
A slim remote control offers the same functions, plus a mute button and a button that turns off the touchscreen’s lighting.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
This speaker can’t play deep bass. Playing tunes with lots of deep bass made the OS-10 system’s woofers distort, and the system doesn’t include a subwoofer output — so there’s no way to augment the bass. It’s great for most pop and rock music, as well as jazz, classical, and folk, but hip-hop and EDM music with deep, synthesized bass tones will sound bad if you play it at full or near-full volume.
It lacks connections some people will want. The OS-10 lacks some inputs and outputs found on our other picks. There’s no HDMI or phono connection, no USB digital input, and no subwoofer output. And the analog audio input isn’t signal-sensing, so you’ll always have to power-up the OS-10 manually; our other powered-speaker picks can power up automatically when you turn on a connected TV set.
Other powered bookshelf speakers worth considering
If you want more bass and don’t need lots of features: The Edifier S1000MkII system, a former top pick, offers sound quality comparable to that of the ELAC Debut ConneX DCB41 speakers but with considerably better bass performance (roughly 6 dB more bass output in our testing). However, the S1000MkII system lacks HDMI and phono connections and is comparatively bulky.
