We list 10 of the best hi-fi products under $500, from speakers and amplifiers to turntables and DACs.
Hi-fi audio can be a bit of a niche hobby, but it’s one that offers a lot of rewards. With hi-fi gear, you can experience your favorite music in a new way, with richer sound and more detail than you’ve ever heard.
Of course, hi-fi gear can also be very expensive. But the good news is that plenty of great hi-fi products are available for under $500. These products are great building blocks for an excellent budget audiophile hi-fi system that will bring you years of satisfaction.
Here is a list of some of the best hi-fi products under $500, based on our own experience and reviews from other audiophiles:
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Integrated amplifiers
- Onkyo A-9110 ($349)
The Onkyo A-9110 is a high-quality integrated amplifier with many features, making it an excellent choice for budding audiophiles. One of the key features of the A-9110 is its Wide Range Amplifier Technology (WRAT). This technology helps to improve the amplifier’s power output and reduce distortion. The A-9110 also features a low-negative feedback design, which helps preserve the music’s natural sound—rated at 50 watts per channel into 4 ohms.
- Cambridge Audio AXR85 ($499)
The Cambridge Audio AXR85 is another excellent integrated amplifier (it’s actually a receiver since it has a tuner) in this price range. It has an astonishing 85 watts per channel of power and a clean, neutral sound that is perfect for a variety of musical genres. It also has a phono input and a variety of other inputs.
Speakers
- Triangle Borea BR03 ($399)
The Triangle Borea BR03 is a bookshelf speaker that offers excellent sound quality and value for the money. It is equipped with a 25mm EFS silk dome tweeter and a 16cm midrange/bass driver. The tweeter is designed to deliver clear, detailed highs, while the midrange/bass driver provides powerful, accurate bass.
- Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 ($349)
The Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 is another excellent pair of bookshelf speakers in this price range. They have a slightly warmer sound than the Triangle Borea BR03, with a bit more bass response. They are great for people who like a livelier sound. They are also very well-built and offer excellent value for the money.
Headphones
- Sennheiser HD560S ($229)
The Sennheiser HD560S is a pair of open-back headphones that offer excellent sound quality and comfort for the price. They have a wide soundstage and a detailed, neutral sound. They are also very comfortable to wear for long periods.
- HIFIMAN Edition XS ($449)
The HIFIMAN Edition XS headphones are a pair of open-back planar magnetic headphones that offer excellent sound for the money. Planar magnetic drivers are known for remarkable detail and wide frequency response. In addition, the Edition XS has a wide soundstage, which makes it a great choice for listening to classical music and jazz. In addition to its excellent sound quality, the Edition XS is also very comfortable to wear. It has a lightweight design, soft ear cups, and a soft headband, making it ideal for long listening sessions.
Turntables
- Fluance RT85 Reference ($499)
The Fluance RT85 is an affordable belt-drive turntable that offers solid build quality and comes with a variety of features, including a solid wood plinth and a heavy-duty platter that help to reduce resonance and vibration. It also has a precision tonearm and a pre-mounted Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, known for its excellent sound quality. The RT85 Reference also has a built-in phono preamp, so you can connect it directly to your speakers or receiver without needing an external preamp. In addition, it has a variable speed control, so you can easily play your records at any speed you like.
- Andover Audio SpinDeck 2 ($299)
The Andover Audio SpinDeck 2 is another good belt-drive turntable that offers excellent value for the money. It is equipped with a pre-mounted Audio-Technica AT3600 cartridge, known for its superb sound quality and affordability. The SpinDeck 2 also features several other features that make it a great choice for beginners and experienced audiophiles. It has a semi-automatic design, which means that the tonearm will automatically return to its rest position at the end of a record. It also has a built-in phono preamp, so you can connect it directly to your speakers or receiver without needing an external preamp.
DACs/Sources
- EverSolo DAC-Z6 DAC/Amp ($459)
The EverSolo DAC-Z6 is a high-quality Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) equipped with several features that make it a great choice for both beginners and experienced audiophiles alike. One of the key features of the DAC-Z6 is its ESS ES9068AS DAC chips. These chips are known for their excellent sound quality and high-resolution support. The DAC-Z6 also features a dual-mono design, meaning each channel has a dedicated DAC chip. This helps to improve the soundstage and imaging of the DAC. The DAC-Z6 also features a built-in headphone amplifier, so you can connect your headphones directly to the DAC-Z6, and a beautiful color display that shows the current input and sample rate.
- WiiM Pro Plus Streamer ($219)
The WiiM Pro Plus is an amazingly affordable high-resolution music streamer that supports a wide range of streaming services and audio formats. It has a ton of features that make it a versatile and easy-to-use device. As stated, the WiiM Pro Plus supports many popular streaming services, such as Spotify, Qobuz, Tidal, Amazon Music, and Apple Music. The WiiM Pro Plus has several other features that make it a versatile and easy-to-use device. It has a built-in DAC, so you can connect it directly to your speakers or amplifier without needing an external DAC. It also has a variety of inputs, including optical, coaxial, and USB. This allows you to connect the WiiM Pro Plus to various sources.
These are just a few of the many great hi-fi products available for under $500. With so many great options to choose from, you should be able to find the perfect combination for your ideal affordable hi-fi system.
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