[chip]

Helping out a friend to find some speakers at this price point.

This is what I came up with but some are priced higher -
Speaker   Price
Alesis Elevate 5    $149.00
Mackie CR4 4" Creative Reference Multimedia Monitors - Pair     $149.99
M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 Active Studio Monitor Speakers    $165.00
PreSonus Eris E4.5 Monitors    $199.95
Audioengine A2+ Premium Powered Desktop Speakers    $249.00
Behringer Studio 50USB - Monitor Speakers, Pair    $260.00
Emotiva Airmotiv 4s | Powered Studio Monitor (Pair)    $284.00
JBL LSR305 5" Active Studio Monitor    $300.00


I don't think I can get him to budge more but can try.

Any other ones to add to the list?

Seems like this one gets good marks PreSonus Eris E4.5 Monitors   

[Russtafarian]

Monoprice 5-inch Powered Studio Monitor Speakers: $170.79 pr.

I've heard them and they sound pretty good. Can't be beat at this price point.

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=115&cp_id=11504&cs_id=1150401&p_id=605500&seq=1&format=2

[Doublej]

KRK Rokkit 5 Gen3, Centrance, Fostex and Yamaha have powered speakers under $300/pair. Pioneer now has them too!


You should find a few threads on this topic if you search.

 

[srb]

I had a pair of KRK Rokit 5 G2 than had muddy boomy bass and harsh sizzling treble regardless of placement or adjustment.  (Supposedly the VXT series are much better but they start at $500/pair).  I replaced them with a pair of Yamaha MSP3, and even though they have smaller 4" woofers and are not bi-amplified, they sounded much better and I'm very happy with them.

Around the $200 budget, I would personally be willing to give the Monoprice 605500 5-inch a try.  I haven't heard them, but if they have close to the same value/price ratio of Monoprice's other products, they could be the best bang for the buck.

Steve

[Noseyears]

I also second the guys opinion, the Monoprice are hard to beat. A good alternative: KRK Rokit 6 G3's

[JLM]

Are you looking to fill a room or just desktop use?  Is option for later subwoofer an important consideration?  At this price range you're barely getting beyond "computer speakers", quality of sound/build is bound to suffer (4 amps, 4 drivers, 2 cabinets, plus markups).  I find this an "exercise in futility" (constraining price/unknown objectives).  Recommend looking at "powered" versus "active" to conserve quality and give up on the superior concept.


Powered compact 2-way options (at slightly higher than sought after prices):

Audioengine A2+ ($250/pair, includes DAC, lots of reviews)

NuForce S3-BT ($300/pair, advanced Bluetooth input option, smooth warmth, pristine highs)

PSB Alpha PS1 ($300/pair, subwoofer output, clean/clear/delicate sound, reportedly used by Paul Barton himself)


Beyond these prices the options for better build/sound quality expand greatly.