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Ready to ditch your tinny TV speakers and sad little laptop drivers? Powered speakers are the easiest way to upgrade your listening station, whether you're streaming playlists, watching movies, or spinning vinyl. And with the correct connections, a receiver is not required. Many of the options below replicate the outstanding results of our Popular Science A guide to the best active bookshelf speakers and ours best speakers for record players roundup so you get great deals on gear we'd love to display on our desks and record cabinets. And now it's cheaper than ever to upgrade your audio if you use this Cyber Monday big discounts and the lowest prices of the year.
Whether you want a compact near-field system for your desktop, a sleek system that can do double duty for movies and music, or an all-in-one solution with HDMI ARC And soundtrack support for your playerThere's something here that can fit right into your space and sound better than it has any right to at its size.
Edifier R1280DB Bluetooth Powered Bookshelf Speakers – $127.49 (was $139.99)
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If you've ever looked at our powered speaker systems, you've seen that Edifier has earned its place as a starter kit, and this R1280DB configuration is the sweet spot. You get optical and coaxial inputs for cleaner digital audio from your TV or streamer, classic RCA for analog gear, and Bluetooth for everyday control from the couch, all in a compact package that still feels solid on the shelf. The included remote and simple inline controls make it easy to adjust volume and tone, and the combination of the black baffle and wood finish gives things a more hi-fi than “PC speaker” look, whether flanking the monitor or framing the turntable.
If you want to expand your setup later, consider the closely related R1280DB options below. These models add subwoofer line-out is an extra $15, so you can invest in a dedicated bass box when you're ready to rock the room.
Onkyo Creator Series GX-30ARC active speakers – $279 (was $349)
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Want a compact Hi-Fi hub instead of a pair of speakers? The Onkyo Creator Series GX-30ARC offers the kind of connectivity we're excited to celebrate: HDMI ARC for TV audio, USB-C for laptops, an optical input for consoles and streamers, and line/phono inputs that let you connect a record player—no separate amplifier required. The 4-inch woofer, soft dome tweeter and tuned ports deliver rich sound that makes it easy to transition from lo-fi playlists to blockbuster movies.
Bluetooth 5.3 allows for fast streaming from your phone, and the included remote control and subwoofer output mean you can fit it into the core of a living room or small studio system. If you need one set of speakers for your TV, desktop computer, and record player, the GX-30ARC (available in black or white) is designed for just that modern combination.
Even More Edifier Cyber Monday Deals for Every Desk and Shelf
More editor-approved active bookshelves and desktop speakers on Cyber Monday
Active studio monitor KRK Kreate 5 — 152 dollars (was 169 dollars)
One of the most recognizable names in studio monitors, the KRK Kreate 5 offers the same combination of punchy lows and detailed mids we scream about in our best high-power bookshelf speakers, but in a more living room-friendly package. A 5-inch woofer and tuned ports keep rhythms and bass lines alive, while front-panel controls and flexible inputs mean they can handle production desk work by day and movie soundtrack by night.
Kanto REN 200W active speaker system with HDMI ARC — $449 (was $699)
If you're looking for active bookshelf speakers that can potentially replace a soundbar, the Kanto REN system is for you. You get 200W of power, HDMI ARC for connecting to your TV via a single cable, USB-C and Bluetooth 5.3 for modern devices, plus a high/low pass filter and subwoofer to create a 2.1 system. What makes them stand out on our bookshelf is how easily they switch between daily duties in front of the TV and more attentive listening to music.
