Best small, desktop speakers, $500 or under (new or used)

The Audio Engine A2 in red are super cute. The Silverlines are like the Clairaudient — if I can find cheap, wow — what a deal. Otherwise, way too much. The Q acoustics look neat, new to me. The Tukans look very tempting too. Rear ported, so I'd hope they don't need too much distance from the wall.

Yes, dJones — that Ascend's the one. Thanks for correcting the link!

The Optimus Pro LX-4 looks interesting too. I'll look at how to mod them. That tweak approach can really take one a lot further, I read.

Had not heard of ERA's before. Look interesting.

Sony bluetooth? Sound good?

Thanks for the many suggestions. I'm halfway tempted to ditch my Adcom stuff and go minimal somehow.

Oh, and the LS50s -- seem to big for a desktop based on the photos I've seen...

The Audioengine A2+ is easily within your budget. It has been favorably assessed by Stereophile; it's powered; it's available in wireless or wired configurations (I use the wired version with an Audioquest DragonFly Red and Jitterbug interposed between an iPhone 11 and the speakers); and...they sound quite nice for the price! In fact, I bought a "refurbished" set from Audiengine for ~$200 and they appeared "as new" and were fully warrantied by the company. For your purposes, they might work perfectly!

No one mentioned these -- 1000 msrp now way reduced. Did you skip over these for some reason? Too larger, maybe?
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa282d-mordaunt-short-classic-20-monitor-speakers-made-in-england-1-000-msrp-monitors

Good evening,

Last year at the Axpona show I heard a small teriffic sounding powered speaker with an unusual name Vanatoo.

The folks listening in the demo room at Axpona were amazed at the big sound from those tiny speakers.

I read many of the reviews and online demos and the feedback was very favorable. 

Recently I did purchase the smaller Vanatoo model Transparent Zero at $359 and have been very impressed.

The internal amplifiers make a huge difference.

Had the Vanatoos set up on a solid oak dining room table and listening to music from a laptop,  and was amazed to feel the bass through the oak table as tiny speakers often lack bass.

Just another option to consider!

Thanks 
Dan

The vanatoo’s punch way above their weight, er, size.  Really dynamic for their size.

I was going to mention the Audioengine A2+ as well.  I have the the B2 which is 2 A2+ smashed together into one unit.  I also use an audioquest red dragonfly and jitterbug to go wired.  Def a noticeable difference between that and bluetooth.

The red is sexy for sure!

TMR has the bigger brotherIn white, the A5+ for $310...