Any sub-$200, near audiophile, powered speaker(s) that excels at low volume listening? Need WOW factor SQ

[LazyListener]

I'm looking for a powered speaker (single with stereo drivers) or speakers (separate left, right) that have audiophile or near-audiophile sound quality, but cost less than $200.  I'm looking for something that will literally blow me away in terms of sound quality for the money.  Something that you'd normally have to spend 2 or 3 times the price to achieve.  Anything like that out there?
 
Specifically, the sound characteristics I'm looking for are a fairly neutral tonality, with slightly enhanced bass and treble, but mids must be present and not too distant/recessed.  I'm looking for something that will sound clear and present, even at low volume, but also sound good at higher volumes (it does not have to get super loud).  Looking for clarity, sparkle, smoothness in the treble and good separation.  Don't need a lot of bass, just enough to make the overall sound have fullness and balance.
 
I want something that I can play classical (and other genres) at low volume at night or as background music with guests over, and still have every note sound clear and nicely balanced from bass to mids to treble.
 
Anything like that or that gets me very close to that for under $200?  Also, the smaller in size, the better, as long as bass still sounds balanced at moderate volume levels.

 

[LazyListener]

I found this review of Wharfedale DS-1 at What Hi-Fi?.  They appear to be sort of what I'm looking for I guess, but they're no longer sold.  Any worthy alternatives out there?
 
https://www.whathifi.com/wharfedale/ds-1/review

 

[Wyllio]

JBL LSR305 if you got the space for them. The PreSonus Eris E4.5 if you can't stretch you budget to fit the JBLs. Though, I would highly recommend saving for the JBLs.

 

[theveterans]

  JBL LSR305 if you got the space for them. The PreSonus Eris E4.5 if you can't stretch you budget to fit the JBLs. Though, I would highly recommend saving for the JBLs.

 
I'd recommend the Audioengine over this due to the flat frequency response which IMO sounds really flat unless you crank it up very loud

 

[Wyllio]

   
I'd recommend the Audioengine over this due to the flat frequency response which IMO sounds really flat unless you crank it up very loud

 
Audioengines are not flat, I used to own the A2+ and there is a mid bass hump to compensate for the smaller woofers. The A5+ are much better speakers overall. However, they are quite expensive and sound lifeless compared to the JBLs.

 

[theveterans]

   
Audioengines are not flat, I used to own the A2+ and there is a mid bass hump to compensate for the smaller woofers. The A5+ are much better speakers overall. However, they are quite expensive and sound lifeless compared to the JBLs.

 
I'm referring to the JBL not audioengine. In fact, I recommend it due to not having flat response which sounds flat unless you listen to reference levels (80 db or higher)

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  I'm looking for a powered speaker (single with stereo drivers) or speakers (separate left, right) that have audiophile or near-audiophile sound quality, but cost less than $200.  I'm looking for something that will literally blow me away in terms of sound quality for the money.  Something that you'd normally have to spend 2 or 3 times the price to achieve.  Anything like that out there?
 
Specifically, the sound characteristics I'm looking for are a fairly neutral tonality, with slightly enhanced bass and treble, but mids must be present and not too distant/recessed.  I'm looking for something that will sound clear and present, even at low volume, but also sound good at higher volumes (it does not have to get super loud).  Looking for clarity, sparkle, smoothness in the treble and good separation.  Don't need a lot of bass, just enough to make the overall sound have fullness and balance.
 
I want something that I can play classical (and other genres) at low volume at night or as background music with guests over, and still have every note sound clear and nicely balanced from bass to mids to treble.
 
Anything like that or that gets me very close to that for under $200?  Also, the smaller in size, the better, as long as bass still sounds balanced at moderate volume levels.

 
HiVi D1080MkIV
Edifier R1700BT (have not heard this but haven't read that they're too different or clearly not as good as HiVi speakers)

 

[LazyListener]

  JBL LSR305 if you got the space for them. The PreSonus Eris E4.5 if you can't stretch you budget to fit the JBLs. Though, I would highly recommend saving for the JBLs.

 
 

   
I'd recommend the Audioengine over this due to the flat frequency response which IMO sounds really flat unless you crank it up very loud

 
 

   
Audioengines are not flat, I used to own the A2+ and there is a mid bass hump to compensate for the smaller woofers. The A5+ are much better speakers overall. However, they are quite expensive and sound lifeless compared to the JBLs.

What do you mean by lifeless?  Do you mean to say the JBLs sound lively?  Do they sound bright?
 

   
I'm referring to the JBL not audioengine. In fact, I recommend it due to not having flat response which sounds flat unless you listen to reference levels (80 db or higher)

 
I don't want a flat FR, especially if it means the bass is not noticeable at low volume.  I don't think I'm looking for professional studio monitors.  I did mention I want a slightly enhanced bass and treble.
 
The JBLs look bad-ass, the specs look good, and I'd really love to hear them.  Just concerned they may be too dry and analytical.  It seems the A2+ may be more what I'm after, but will those give me the detail, clarity, separation I'm looking for?  Love the size of the A2+, but FR down to only 65 Hz is a bit concerning.

 

[LazyListener]

   
HiVi D1080MkIV
Edifier R1700BT (have not heard this but haven't read that they're too different or clearly not as good as HiVi speakers)

I've tried the Edifier R1700BT.  Good looking, well built speakers, but they have an overall warm and bassy tonality, and not quite the detail, especially in mids, I'm looking for.  They're better for rocking out than they are for low volume listening.

 

[Wyllio]

   
 
 
 
What do you mean by lifeless?  Do you mean to say the JBLs sound lively?  Do they sound bright?
 
 
I don't want a flat FR, especially if it means the bass is not noticeable at low volume.  I don't think I'm looking for professional studio monitors.  I did mention I want a slightly enhanced bass and treble.
 
The JBLs look bad-ass, the specs look good, and I'd really love to hear them.  Just concerned they may be too dry and analytical.  It seems the A2+ may be more what I'm after, but will those give me the detail, clarity, separation I'm looking for?  Love the size of the A2+, but FR down to only 65 Hz is a bit concerning.

 
The Audioengine line-up lacks in the treble, there more sparkle with the tweeters on the JBL. In my opinion, Audioengine speakers are overpriced. It's $250 for the A2+ with 2.75" woofers, where as the JBL LSR305 its $278 for the pair with a 5" woofer. 

 

[Music Alchemist]

  The JBLs look bad-ass, the specs look good, and I'd really love to hear them.  Just concerned they may be too dry and analytical.

 
I got mine brand new on eBay for just $250, and they came with $50 worth of cables. They are capable of insane bass (which changes depending on how they are set up) and are not dry or overly analytical. They just sound realistic to me, like I mentioned in the other thread. If there's a lot of bass in the recording, I can still feel it pounding when I walk downstairs. Just bear in mind that you won't get ideal results for any speakers without room treatments and EQ, though these do already sound amazing and are designed to sound good in any room. I highly recommend speaker stands (I use the Samson MS200) to isolate them more and get an optimal placement. If you just put them on a desk, the low frequencies can radiate more through the furniture and walls, and the tweeters don't line up with your ears like they're supposed to. You may eventually want to also invest in a subwoofer, as these don't reproduce the deepest bass on their own. (Only an issue for some recordings.)