Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Lovely looks and build
- Pretty fast and detailed
Product Considerations
- Dynamically challenged
- Tonally inconsistent, with character differences between the treble and bass, and the treble sounding too forward and the bass too soft
- Need to place them close to a back wall, as further into a room they sound rather weedy
Takeaway: The Speakerbox 5 has a striking design and is fast and detailed. If heard in isolation, the speaker could impress.
All
Speaker Box 5 E
reviews
Manufacturer details
- Enclosure type: bass reflex via rear firing port
- Recommended amplifier power: 10 to 140 watts
- Frequency response: 68Hz - 20kHz
- Nominal impedance: 4 ohms
- Sensitivity: 86dB (1w /1m)
- Chassis: 1" silk dome tweeter 5" fiber glass bass/mid
- Dimensions: 265 x 160 x 198 mm (HxWxD)
- Weight: 4.04 kg each
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Pro-Ject offers a range of turntables and components that focus on simple setup and ease of use, often arriving pre-configured, making them particularly appealing to beginners.
- They prioritize sonic performance, often incorporating higher-end components like carbon fiber tonearms and Ortofon cartridges, even in their more affordable models.
- Pro-Ject is known for its all-in-one audio systems that combine a turntable, amplifier, and receiver into a single unit, aiming to provide component-like sound quality in a smaller, more convenient package.
Select products
A2
- Positioning: The entry-level, fully automatic turntable designed for ease of use and convenience.
- Description: Offers a fully automatic operation with a sub-chassis design that isolates the tonearm and platter from vibrations, making it ideal for small spaces where speakers are close to the turntable. Unlike the more manual and high-end models like the Signature series, focuses on user-friendly features and affordability, making it suitable for those with a limited budget who still want quality sound.
The Classic Reference
- Positioning: Positioned as a mid-range turntable, combines traditional design with modern technology.
- Description: Features a high-end EVO 9 AS HG tonearm and a precision motor control system, providing excellent sound quality with a touch of luxury. It offers more advanced features compared to the A2, such as a balanced XLR output.
RPM 10 Carbon
- Positioning: A high-end turntable known for its innovative design and superior sound quality.
- Description: With its carbon fiber chassis and 10" Evo tonearm, delivers exceptional sound clarity and stability. It stands out from the Classic Reference with its advanced materials and design.
Signature 10
- Positioning: A premium turntable that combines mass-loading with magnetically-floating principles for high-end audio performance.
- Description: Features a 10" single-pivot tonearm and a magnetically decoupled platter, providing a resonance-free listening experience. It offers more precise adjustments and a higher level of performance compared to the RPM 10 Carbon.
Signature 12.2
- Positioning: The flagship model, representing the pinnacle of Pro-Ject's turntable lineup.
- Description: Boasts a groundbreaking 12" 3-point pivot tonearm and a flywheel belt drive system, ensuring the most accurate and stable playback. It surpasses the Signature 10 with its larger tonearm and enhanced stability.
Our take on the brand
Look inside the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
Pro-Ject Audio Systems was founded with a passion for analog audio reproduction. Our very first product, introduced in 1991, was a record player – a time when the entire industry was turning its back on vinyl. We didn’t jump on the bandwagon when vinyl became hip – we were instrumental in bringing vinyl back.
We manufacture – not only assemble – 95% of our products in the EU. Raw materials come in – finished products leave the factories. Since we make everything ourselves, we are able offer a 25 year spare part availability!
Today, we offer one of the broadest ranges of high-fidelity products in the world, including turntables, CD players, DACs, streamers, phono preamps, amplifiers, speakers, and a variety of accessories designed to enhance your system and vinyl care.
What's your approach to customer support?
Pro-Ject Audio Systems has a worldwide network of dealers and distributors. We ensure that our team members are highly knowledgeable in the field of high-fidelity audio setup and repairs. In the event of a need for support, the first point of contact is the local dealer. If the dealer cannot handle the problem, the second tier is the distributor in the respective country. By handling as many problems as possible locally, we can ensure the quickest and smoothest resolution.
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
Aside from one of the audio industry’s widest range of high-fidelity products, Pro-Ject also produces limited runs of high-quality vinyl records. 7Ray’s Jazzy Zoetrope is a double album of fine Jazz standards played by 7Ray and his quartet. One of the two records was recorded live at our headquarters in the Weinviertel region of Lower Austria. We produced the whole album in AAA for the highest analog purity. Here’s a link to the records we offer, which double as fine reference recordings across multiple musical genres.
What other products pair best with yours?
Used
Pro-Ject
What if you spend more?
The Speaker Box 5 S2 is characterized by its spacious and detailed sound. A 25 mm silk dome tweeter delivers cristal clear highs, the 130 mm fiberglass cone gives full-bodied and lush mids as well as punchy and tight bass.
The noble wooden chassis come in two high quality wooden (walnut and eucalyptus) and six satin painted (black, white, yellow, green, red & blue) finishes. The Speaker Box 5 S2 is manufactured only with the highest quality materials and to 100% in Europe. Only high quality materials were used when Speaker Box 5 S2 was created. A very special, restistant and ecofriendly glue has been used to hold the cabinet together and to avoid any leakage.
The recommended amplifier power is rated between 10 – 150 watt RMS, where it applies as for every speaker: the higher the power of an amplifier the less distortion can be found at lower volumes. Amplifiers with less power are driven to their limits faster at lower volumes, while having more distortion when reaching their peak, this can harm any loudspeaker!
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent build quality and heavy, sturdy feel, especially considering the speaker's compact size
- Available in multiple attractive color finishes
- Neutral sound signature with a bit of sparkle and a delightful level of punch
- Clear mid-range with smooth vocal delivery and textured sound
- Good soundstage, especially in near-field setups
Product Considerations
- Bass may not satisfy extreme bass enthusiasts and may require a subwoofer for full-range playback
- May require high-quality amplification to reach full potential
- Imaging can be room-dependent, with near-field setups providing the best results
- Dynamics are not explosive
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Speakerbox 5S II is more neutral and better constructed than Klipsch 600M Mark IIs
- Speakerbox 5S II is preferred overall to the Polk Audio R200, while R200 has slightly more bass presence
- Speakerbox 5S II is preferred due to fit and finish, despite the need for a subwoofer, compared to Wharfedale Evo 4.1
- Lumina IIs are more open and dynamic than Speakerbox 5S II
- Speakerbox 5S II has a different nuance, delicacy—and simplicity—than Triangle Borea
Takeaway: The Pro-Ject Speaker Box 5S II is a well-built and stylish speaker that delivers a neutral, clear, and punchy sound. They are versatile and sound great in small to medium-sized rooms, making them a fun choice for casual listening or critical audiophile sessions.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The Speaker Box 5 E Carbon features a 1“ silk dome tweeter, paired with a special 5“ fiber glass carbon composite woofer. Mounted into an ultra stiff non resonating MDF cabinet, these chassis deliver an audiophile music reproduction.The speaker delivers an audiophile flat frequency response from 65 to 20.000 Hz with flawless details. It offers a tight powerful bass and keeps the musicality alive.We recommend connecting it with an amplifier with an output power of at least 10 watts per channel. The Stereo Box S3 BT or MaiA S3 are perfect partners for this speaker.The look of the Speaker Box 5 E Carbon is subtle but classy, allowing it to be included in any interior style. It is available in various finishes to match every listeners preferences. Speaker grills in black are included in the box.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Good soundstage and imaging, creating a three-dimensional listening experience
- Clear and detailed sound
- Aesthetically pleasing, especially due to its gloss-painted finish
- Performs well in mid-range sounds, and excels in clarity and projection of female vocals
Product Considerations
- May sound 'weedy' if placed too far from a back wall, needing back support for optimal performance
- Bass may not be sufficiently extended for some listeners, potentially requiring a subwoofer, especially in larger rooms
- A 'clear character difference' exists between treble and bass, with treble sounding 'too forward' and bass 'too soft'
- Cooler sound for male vocals
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Emotiva B1+– has a sharper treble attack and a more neutral mid-range, excelling with female vocals, while the B1+ has a softer treble and a V-shaped sound signature
- Vs PSB p3– is easier to drive and has a more open and extended treble and better mid-range clarity, though the PSB p3 has a boosted bass response
- Vs Cambridge Minx XL– hits harder, is more articulate, and clearer/cleaner
- Vs KEF Q150– has larger vertical soundstage
Takeaway: The Project SpeakerBox 5 is a good-looking speaker that sounds clear, with great imaging, especially for female vocals. Adding a subwoofer is a great option if listeners want even better bass and a fuller experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Wharfedale’s new EVO4 has grown out of the extensive research and development that produced the ELYSIAN flagship loudspeakers and borrows much of the technology involved in ELYSIAN.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent focus and separation, with the speakers 'disappearing' to create a natural soundstage
- Impressive low-end performance, adding authority to the music
- Cohesive driver integration, with no perceivable handover between the AMT tweeter, midrange dome, and woofer
- Remarkable neutrality in the midrange, with a detailed yet smooth treble—avoiding harshness even at higher volumes
- Clear and detailed sound reproduction, extracting nuances and levels of information outstanding for its price
Product Considerations
- Vertical off-axis performance of the AMT tweeter is not good, so correct speaker height and toe-in are important
- Soundstage is not super wide, with the presentation mostly between the speakers
- Some reviewers found the aesthetics or proportions to be awkward or not to suit all tastes
- Bass may be a bit polite for some listeners wanting subwoofer-type rumble
- The midrange can be fatiguing if the listener's ear is at the midrange driver level
Takeaway: The Evo4.2 is a well-rounded speaker that delivers excellent sound quality with impressive imaging, detail, and tonal balance. It is capable of providing an audiophile experience at an affordable price.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Attractive design with rounded cabinet edges and multiple finish options (Satin Black, Satin White, Santos Rosewood, Holme Oak)
- Good midrange reproduction—clean and uncolored—especially for the price
- Clear and detailed sound with good separation of instruments
- Taut and agile bass performance
- Internal bracing (P2P) stiffens the cabinet, reducing vibrations and improving stereo image
- Connectivity options such as binding posts
Product Considerations
- Can tend towards brightness, potentially causing fatigue during longer listening sessions—especially with the wrong equipment pairing
- Cabinet size is relatively large for a bookshelf speaker
- Bass response is somewhat subdued
- Some reviewers noted imaging issues, with vocals lacking a firm presence in the center
- Grilles muddle the sound
Takeaway: The Q Acoustics 5020 is a great-looking speaker that offers a rich and musical sound, making it a very entertaining listen for the price. With its ability to reveal details from recordings, it's a wise choice for those looking for a well-built and sonically pleasing speaker.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Effortlessly detailed and balanced sound
- Excellent stereo imaging and dynamics
- High-quality Bluetooth streaming
- Simple setup and control
- Multiple connection options, including subwoofer output, digital input for TV, and analog inputs
Product Considerations
- No HDMI ARC for seamless control with TV remote
- No dedicated app for adjusting settings
- Bass output may be lacking for some listeners, potentially requiring a subwoofer
- Grilles are non-removable
- Speakers power down after 20 minutes at rest, requiring manual Bluetooth pairing each time
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2, the Q Acoustics M20 sounds fuller, louder and less compressed
Takeaway: The Q Acoustics M20 HD speakers offer detailed, balanced sound and are easy to set up with various devices. They're a versatile audio solution for upgrading sound, whether for music, movies, or gaming.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Good ability to get loud, clean sound without distortion or compression issues above 80 Hz when paired with a subwoofer
- Really good build quality cabinet
- Very clear, immediate, vivid sounding speaker
- Ultra-focused sounding, clean, and nicely balanced vocals
- A lot of treble liveliness combined with quality clarity and crispness
Product Considerations
- Treble is a little bit bright
- Not the most neutral speaker
- Leaner sound in terms of bass delivery
- Very tight, tuneful, and on-point bass, but the perceived amount of bass is less substantial than other speakers reviewed
- Some port noise or chuffing can be heard when setting the speakers to deliver as much bass as the Klipsch RP600M
Takeaway: The SVS Prime bookshelf is a sweet little speaker that delivers clear and vivid sound and has great build quality. It's also versatile, as it can be used in a stereo setup or as part of a home theater system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers stereo sound, unlike the Sonos One, due to angled tweeters
- Has a larger woofer, resulting in deeper bass
- Features Bluetooth connectivity, in addition to Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2, offering more flexibility
- Easy to set up and use with the Sonos app, which integrates many music sources
- Includes Trueplay room tuning, now available for Android users, which optimizes the speaker's sound based on its placement in the room, and adjustable EQ
Product Considerations
- The Apple HomePod 2 provides more natural warmth of human voices
- A separate adapter is needed for a wired connection, and it's not included in the box
- Lacks Google Assistant support
- Android users may find the Quick Tuning feature is not as capable as the iOS version
- Isn't designed for outdoor use
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Era 100 has better sound quality with cleaner bass and can playback stereo content without downmixing to mono, compared to Sonos One/One SL
- Era 100 is more affordable and compact but lacks Dolby Atmos support, compared to Sonos Era 300
- Era 100 is cheaper but doesn't have a built-in battery for portability, compared to Sonos Move 2
Takeaway: The Sonos Era 100 is a versatile wireless speaker with great sound, enhanced bass, and easy integration with streaming services. It's a solid choice for anyone seeking a compact, all-in-one speaker that delivers both convenience and quality audio for an immersive listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Every design element of the SVS Ultra Bookshelf speakers was scrutinized to achieve cost-no-object audio performance and build quality to create a groundbreaking bookshelf loudspeaker. Countless design innovations and world-class build materials result in reference sound quality and stunning dynamics normally reserved for the world’s most expensive speakers.
Whether handling the warm and engaging sound of vinyl or the demanding, multi-layered soundtrack of an action movie, the Ultra Bookshelf speakers deliver a powerful and convincing audio experience and are among the top audio investments available at any price.
Read
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Nice cabinets
- Fluid and captivating articulation in the mids, with warmth and clarity to voices
- The bass is good enough that one could conceivably get away without ever having a subwoofer
- Excellent clarity and tonal balance
- Able to use so much high-performance technology in products that cost so little
Product Considerations
- Has aluminum wiring
- Lacks a little bit of detail at the very top—kicks, punches, and gunshots do not quite have enough "snap" to them
- Rated at 8 ohms, but in reality, they are 4 ohm speakers
- Do not have magnetic grills, they have a pin-and-cup grill retention system
- Tendency to sound bright with modern pop and electronic music
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the SVS Prime Bookshelf Speaker, it is a noticeable step up in linearity
- The Ultra Towers' performance is beaten by perhaps only one or two other models in the same price range
- The SVS's more laid-back character and natural response remains composed compared to the JBLs, where the JBLs start to lose control and break up
Takeaway: The Ultra speakers are a good value because of their high-quality sound and build that offer performance often found in more expensive speakers. One can enjoy great sound without breaking the bank.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Clear and natural dialogue projection for movies
- Impressive bass performance, especially in small to medium-sized rooms
- Good imaging, with elements well-placed in the mix
- Durable finish on the cabinet that is scratch resistant
- Engaging sound quality for the price
Product Considerations
- Treble can sound a bit two-dimensional
- The tweeter can be a bit harsh at louder volumes
- Bass is not very refined
- Simplistic box design
- They are heavier than expected
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Cerwin-Vega LA-165s, the tweeter on the Cerwin-Vegas is better, but midrange driver from the XT20 is nicer
- Vs Sony SS-CS5, Polk gives nicer bass than Sony
Takeaway: The Polk Monitor XT20 is an affordable speaker that offers good sound quality, especially with its bass performance and clear dialogue, making it a great option to put smiles on people's faces when listening to music or watching movies. Its durable build and engaging sound make it a worthwhile consideration for those starting their audio journey.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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