Best 11 Powered Speakers

So far, our list has included options that are either good for their price or include things that might make you feel like you’re not getting the most out of your dollar. However, this is the one on our list that is not only worth the money, but a great value for what it offers.

The only downside for this PA system is the appearance—the design is efficient, but it doesn’t look like it is. It’s purely an appearance issue, though, so if you’re able to get past that then you’ll be quite pleased with the product itself.

These powered speakers come with stands, the cables you need, and even a microphone. The price is pretty low considering what it comes with, so it feels like a good value.

The most important thing about these powered speakers, though, is the sound quality. The sound quality is impeccable, specifically notable for its well-defined treble range that doesn’t allow things to sound too shrill. It has a good balance for the rest of the frequency ranges as well, letting you play a variety of music without any gripes.

These features make this one of the most logical PA systems if you’re looking for something that is affordable and can fit a variety of circumstances, so that is important to consider as well.

Off the bat, two of the most striking things you’ll notice about the Audioengine A2+s are their presentation and size. These are small speakers that can easily accompany any desktop computer with ease. Their presentation is incredibly sleek, making them a good looking set of speakers that makes simplicity appear elegant.

This is one of their best selling points, as they’re incredibly portable, which can be really useful if you’re taking your setup on the road.

Setting up these speakers is also very intuitive, with it being as simple as just plugging into a USB port and then connecting them to the power source. This is very helpful for those who want to avoid having a complicated setup process and instead get right into listening.

In terms of sound, the A2+s have a really strong core sound. They are able to project efficiently, which makes listening to a variety of different types of music seamless. One of the negative aspects of the sound quality, though, is the overall balance affecting specific frequencies. For example, the treble can be a touch shrill if you’re listening to something that relies heavily on that and the midrange can feel very overemphasized if you’re looking for it.

That being said, unless you’re an audiophile who has a specific ear for this criteria, chances are you won’t be upset with the A2+s. For a set of speakers that work well with a computer, it has a pretty balanced sound quality. Though it may not cover all the bases in great detail, it does cover all the bases, so you won’t have to worry about switching speakers simply to listen to a different type of music.

Looking for a pair of powered speakers to use as a PA can often be subject to the events that you want to use the PA system at. The Proreck Party 15 System is an answer to this question because of its ability to be used in a number of different contexts, something that makes it stand out from the rest of the competition.

Like many PAs that you’ll find on the market, there is a certain bulkiness to the Party 15 System that isn’t necessarily the most impressive in terms of looks. This is a small negative to the system, though, as the other aspects are of high quality.

Another consolation for those dismayed by the look of the system is the internal LED lights that it comes with, opening up the possibility of having a light show. The LED lights themselves work fine generally, though sometimes it’s noticeably more effective when the volume is louder than usual.

With a varied amount of inputs and features, the Party 15 System can be used just as easily for a rock show as it can a backyard party or even a public speaking event.

The highlight of the Party 15s, though, is definitely the speaker quality. Regardless of what you’re using the speakers for, you can be assured that there is a sound quality that is seldom matched in the market. The only downside to what is included is that the microphone that comes with the speakers isn’t the best, but if replaced you’ll be able to surely hear the difference.

Something that might deter people from the Party 15s, though, is their lack of portability. They can be quite difficult to handle and (unless you are incredibly strong) difficult to put on the stands in the first place. The speakers pride themselves on being portable, but that is mainly referring to their ability to be moved on wheels, not the ease with which you can handle them.

Like the other speakers in Audioengine’s A series, the A5+s are meant mainly to be used with computers or smaller desktop-size setups. These speakers are of higher quality than the A2+s that we spoke about earlier on this list, largely reflected in the $150 higher price point.

Are they worth it, though? When compared to their A2+ counterparts, the A5+ definitely shine in contrast. These speakers deliver a very clear, crisp, and versatile sound that is unique for a set of computer speakers. Similar to the A2+s, the A5+s have a good balance of sounds that let you listen to many different types of music, but the latter have better success in providing good balance without taking away quality from any individual frequency ranges.

The design is the same wonderful type of design you can expect from Audioengine, having a very elegant look that doubles as being incredibly portable. They are also built with high-quality materials, making them retain an impressive, new look without much wear-and-tear.

These speakers also retain Audioengine’s intuitive setup, allowing you to simply plug in and listen to your music, but they also add a new feature that makes using the speakers even more accessible: Bluetooth. Even though the speakers come with the necessary cables, the Bluetooth aspect ensures that you can connect quickly and even switch from device to device with ease.

The A5+s even comes with a remote to adjust the audio, meaning that you can adjust it easily when you’re away from your device and the speakers. This remote also allows you to put the speakers to sleep, something that is a great idea for those looking to conserve energy.

One of the first things you’ll notice when looking at the 1byone Powered Bluetooth Classic Bookshelf Speaker System is the design—the presentation of these speakers is gorgeous, contrasting a modern look in the center with a distinctly 70s sensibility for wood finishes.

The design is also very flexible, meaning that you can use them in a variety of contexts and not feel like they’re ever out of place. The appearance is especially surprising given their price, which is another reason why these speakers stand out so much; at an incredibly affordable price point, these speakers are a great way for somebody with a budget to invest in a quality Bluetooth speaker system.

Because of their size as Bluetooth speakers, they are typically best used as computer speakers or on a desktop-size area. They also have impressive options to adjust the bass and treble on the speakers themselves, making it easy to specify exactly how you want them to sound.

Even outside of the Bluetooth compatibility, the 2X21Ws also has two inputs, letting you connect two devices at once. One of the devices can go through the headphone jack and the other can go through an RCA port, giving you 3 different ways (Bluetooth included) to set up a device.

Something that these speakers have that many other brands don’t is the ability to be truly versatile when it comes to devices. The 2X21Ws work well with computers and phones, but also give off a really great analogue quality to the sound when used with a record player.

This is a testament to the sound quality of these speakers, which are able to satisfy many different frequency ranges with ease. The mids on these speakers are specially defined, not interfering with other frequencies regardless of the type of sound you are playing.

For those who aren’t looking for a pair of speakers, the Rockville RPG15BT works well as an alternative to always having a pair. One of the most notable things that you’ll notice with these speakers is the digital effects that are included, making it incredibly easy to adjust the audio it is outputting without any external unit necessary.

On top of the internal sound processing features, it also comes with a handy LCD display that lets you control the sounds you’re making and also adjust the EQ, allowing you to really have it all in one system.

This is one of the most unique features of this speaker, as there is a lot included that you would have to find otherwise in different systems. Even though the price is a bit less than a pair of two speakers, what you pay for in the RPG15BT is made up of the sheer effectiveness of the speaker on its own.

Another benefit of the RPG15BT is how lightweight it is, making it easy to transport, carry, and mount onto the included speaker stand.

Based on these benefits, this is the ideal system on our list for somebody who wants to be able to easily transport something that can also act as a very compact way to control sound. A lot of the ease of this speaker is in its flexibility, which means that you can carry only this and still be able to run sound at an event quite easily.

For those who are looking for pristine sound quality, the RPG15BT definitely won’t fit your bill—we noticed that there was not as much of a consistent sound when pushing in the treble range. You can adjust the EQ to then suit the specific sounds you want, but that setup isn’t ideal for those who want a purely intuitive way of controlling the sound.

Given their price, the BPA15 speakers are on the moderate end of things in terms of finding a 2 speaker PA system. It should be noted that they also aren’t the most efficient speakers for every type of event—because of their very thorough XLR capabilities and ability to play MP3s and control them with wireless remotes, these speakers are best for shows and parties where the sound quality might not be the highest, but a good presence and reach for the speakers is necessary.

This does not mean that the sound quality is necessarily bad or that these speakers can’t be used for other types of events, but they pack the biggest punch if you’re playing live music or want to put on a playlist at a party.

Another selling factor of this PA system is its ability to connect via Bluetooth, something that isn’t as common for systems of its kind. This can be especially helpful if you want to connect wireless instruments that might work with Bluetooth as well because of how you don’t need to assemble or connect any wireless device to make that connection work.

One of the negative things about these speakers is the slight delay when registering and playing sounds from the Bluetooth, but this does not affect the actual output of sound, just how it registers. That being said, this also depends on the device you are using, but for the most part, works well.

Like many PA systems, though, the BPA15s can be quite heavy to lift, with little design integration that allows for them to be gripped easily. Because there are other systems that have more lightweight designs, this turns out to be a negative thing that makes the experience of setting these speakers up not as intuitive as it could be.

When compared with the other PA systems that we have on this list, you’ll notice immediately that the RPG15s don’t come with a speaker stand. Because the price is already quite moderate for an introductory PA system, this is a definite con. To put the responsibility on the consumer to purchase the speakers isn’t the most intuitive measure and makes the package itself not look as appealing.

That being said, these speakers are ridiculously portable. Like all PA systems, it is definitely on the heavy side, but much easier than others to carry because of its design. A lot of the weight isn’t felt and, with the side handle on each speaker, it’s not difficult to carry no matter where you’re going to.

Possibly the biggest selling point of these powered speakers, though, is the sound quality. The sound is remarkably crisp and you’ll be surprised at how thorough the bass frequencies are. This is likely due to the good frequency response and the technical specifics that make it an incredibly well-constructed piece of hardware (for more information on that, check out the table at the beginning of this article).

You can also control the sound quite easily with a built-in equalization feature, allowing you to oversee a decent amount of the sound without much struggle. This is especially helpful when using a vocal mic, something that is made even easier by the low-hum vocal input.

This PA system is definitely on the higher end of the spectrum in terms of price but is well worth the money. If you’re a DJ or somebody looking to have a system for the explicit purpose of throwing parties, this is the ideal system for you.

Its efficiency is maintained in the design, which is built of multiple speakers perched on top of one huge subwoofer with a stand in-between them. The stand is fully adjustable, meaning that you can put it in almost any size room and be able to completely control the acoustics.

“Control” is the key word with the PRORECK Club 3000, as there is an incredible amount of power within these speakers. The subwoofers are powerful enough that they can really immerse the audience in the bass of any given song, with the speakers on top giving it extra definition.

Within this setup, there’s also an impeccable sound quality that is able to have a large range without reducing quality from any frequencies.

Beyond this, it’s also an incredibly accessible speaker set to assemble for how thorough and complex it is. It’s simply a matter of plugging and connecting to your device before being able to play almost instantly. Its design also makes it particularly easy to transport and also helps it look like a true professional PA system.

Though these speakers aren’t necessarily at the top of their market in terms of quality, you’d be pressed to find a better price for what they do.

These powered speakers are specifically tailored to home living situations, whether to sit on your bookshelf or next to your computer. They also work very well with record players, with a sound range that compliments the analog sound of vinyl very well.

Something that makes it not the most accessible is the lack of any Bluetooth or wireless capability, though it does come with a remote control that you can control the system with.