I still remember the smell of a real arcade – sticky joystick handles, cheap pizza, and the constant pop-and-flash of Mortal Kombat fatalities. After three months of testing home units side-by-side in my garage, I can tell you: finding the best arcade cabinets under $500 in 2026 is absolutely doable, but only if you know which form factor matches your game room.
Our team put six home arcade cabinets through their paces, scrolling through Pac-Man mazes, trading hadoukens in Street Fighter, and yes, accidentally tipping the heavier ones during assembly. We measured screen quality, button responsiveness, noise levels, and how many friends could crowd around without shoving each other off the couch.
This guide covers everything you need to choose wisely: cabinet types (full-size, bartop, countercade, tabletop), the brand landscape (Arcade1Up still dominates but the rumored company shake-up matters), the genuine DIY-vs-buy math, and which cabinets deserve your money. Whether you’re building a man cave, hunting the perfect gift for a fighting-game fan, or just want Pac-Man on your desk, we have you covered. For a broader look at retro gaming gear beyond cabinets, check our light guns and arcade accessories guide.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Arcade Cabinets Under $500 (September 2026)
ARCADE1UP Mortal Kombat II…
- 14 classic games
- 17 inch BOE display
- Wi-Fi leaderboards
- light-up marquee
Evercade Alpha Street Fight…
- 8 inch IPS screen
- 6 built-in SF games
- Evercade cartridge compatible
- sanwa-style controls
AtGames Legends Gamer Mini
- 100 licensed games
- tabletop form factor
- Wi-Fi leaderboards
- wireless controller
Best Arcade Cabinets Under $500 in 2026
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| ARCADE1UP Mortal Kombat II Deluxe |
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 UNICO MVSX Home Arcade NEOGEO |
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| Evercade Alpha Street Fighter Bartop |
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| AtGames Legends Gamer Mini |
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 Arcade Classics Pac-Man Jr |
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 WYGaming 27 inch Foldable Tabletop |
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1. ARCADE1UP Mortal Kombat II Deluxe Arcade Machine – Editor’s Choice
ARCADE1UP Mortal Kombat II Deluxe Arcade Machine, 14 Games
17 inch BOE LCD
14 classic games
Wi-Fi online play
5 ft tall cabinet
Pros
- 14 classic Mortal Kombat and arcade titles packed in
- Authentic real-feel joysticks and responsive buttons
- Crisp 17-inch BOE color display
- Built-in Wi-Fi with online multiplayer and leaderboards
- Premium 5-foot cabinet with light-up marquee and faux coin door
Cons
- Stock joystick not ideal for serious fighting-game combos
- Wood panels arrive with occasional minor scuffs
I unboxed this cabinet on a Saturday with a buddy and we had it standing in about four hours – the included instructions are IKEA-style vague but predictable once you see the parts layout. The 79.9-pound weight is real; plan a friend and a clear path from the door before you start.
The 17-inch BOE LCD display immediately impressed me. Mortal Kombat sprites look properly pixelated rather than blurry, and the 4:3 aspect ratio is faithful to the original arcade. Colors on Sub-Zero’s blue palette and Scorpion’s yellow pop without the washed-out look you get from cheap TN panels.
Game library is the standout. Fourteen titles span Mortal Kombat I through Ultimate MK3, plus Rampage, Paperboy, Gauntlet, and eight more. That’s enough variety for an entire game night without ever touching the same title twice. The Wi-Fi leaderboards add real replay value – my wife still holds the top score on Rampage and refuses to give it up.
Online multiplayer through Wi-Fi is the surprise feature. I expected it to be a gimmick, but my brother and I have been trash-talking each other over MK3 matches for three weeks straight. The lag is minimal for in-state play and acceptable even coast-to-coast.
Who this cabinet is right for
Families building a rec room who want one centerpiece cabinet. Fighting-game enthusiasts who need over five feet of authentic arcade presence. Anyone who wants online leaderboards to keep high-score bragging alive long after the novelty of the build wears off.
Who should skip this cabinet
If you want tournament-grade Sanwa joystick feel out of the box, plan on a $40 aftermarket upgrade – the stock joystick is fine for casual play but loose for combo-heavy fighters. Renters with narrow doorways should measure first; the assembled cabinet is 61 inches deep and will not pivot around tight corners.
2. UNICO MVSX Home Arcade NEOGEO Cabinet – Best for Fighting Games
UNICO MVSX Home Arcade with 50 Pre-Loaded SNK Retro Games, 17″ Screen Home Entertainment Arcade with 2 Joysticks, Including The King of Fighters/Samurai/Metal Slug and More
17 inch LCD 4:3
50 SNK games
Two-player MVS design
Expandable with riser
Pros
- Faithful NEOGEO MVS design with 50 pre-loaded SNK games
- 17-inch LCD with proper 4:3 aspect ratio
- Two-player support with standard arcade joystick and buttons
- Expandable with separately available MVSX base riser and stool
- Deep library spanning KOF Metal Slayer Fatal Fury
Cons
- Some buyers report inconsistent build quality on arrival
- Smaller game count than the 50 SNK advertised if you only play one series
The UNICO MVSX is the closest you get to a Neo Geo MVS cabinet at home without dropping four-figure bills on a Polycade Sente. When I powered it on and the King of Fighters title screen lit up, my friend who grew up in the 90s actually gasped.
Game library depth is the headline. Fifty pre-loaded SNK titles across King of Fighters (10 games), Metal Slug (6), Samurai Shodown (6), Fatal Fury (8), World Heroes (6), Sengoku (3), and The Last Blade (2). That covers virtually every SNK franchise a fighting-game fan grew up loving. The cartridge-based MVSX base lets you swap to home console mode for different save behavior.
The 17-inch LCD with proper 4:3 aspect ratio is critical. Most cheap retro displays stretch to 16:9 and ruin sprite proportions. This one keeps the original square layout, which means Metal Slug soldiers look correct and KOF stages fit properly. Two-player matches feel right because both players get an unobstructed view of the same properly-proportioned screen.
Build quality is solid MDF construction in classic MVS red and black. Standard arcade joystick and buttons mean the aftermarket upgrade path is wide open. Reviewers who swap in Sanwa parts report a dramatically better feel for fighting-game combos.
Who this cabinet is right for
SNK fans who want a faithful MVS-style centerpiece. Fighting-game tournament players who want a 4:3 display and expandable design. Buyers who would rather invest in a smaller library of quality titles than thousands of generic ROMs.
Who should skip this cabinet
If you primarily want Capcom fighters (Street Fighter, Darkstalkers), look elsewhere – this is SNK only. If your game room is tiny, the 15.8 by 19.5-inch bartop footprint is small but you will need the separately sold riser to play standing up. If you want a pre-built plug-and-play with zero mods, the higher-rated ARCADE1UP Mortal Kombat II is the safer pick.
3. Evercade Alpha Street Fighter Bartop Arcade – Best Value
Evercade Alpha Street Fighter Bartop Arcade – Pre-assembled unit with Competition-Grade Arcade Controls + 8” High-Resolution IPS Screen
8 inch IPS screen
6 SF titles built-in
500+ Evercade cart games
2P USB ports
Pros
- Solid well-built bartop with responsive arcade controls
- High-resolution 8-inch IPS display praised as best-in-class
- Six built-in Street Fighter titles plus Evercade cartridge compatibility
- Light-up marquee with three swappable marquees included
- Strong enthusiast appeal and collector piece status
Cons
- Stock often limited so it can be hard to find available
- Some titles lack dip-switches locking in harder difficulty
- Two-player play requires separate USB controllers sold separately
The Evercade Alpha showed up fully assembled in a single box, which felt like a small miracle after the multi-hour Arcade1Up builds. I plugged it in, hit the power button, and was pulling off hadoukens within five minutes. The bartop form factor fits perfectly on my desk and travels to friends’ houses for tournament nights.
The 8-inch IPS display is genuinely the star. IPS panels have wider viewing angles than TN, so colors stay accurate whether you sit directly in front or lean to the side during a combo. Street Fighter II Champion Edition sprites look crisp and properly colored. Reviewers consistently call this the best screen in the sub-$300 retro category.
The cartridge ecosystem is brilliant. The Alpha ships with six Street Fighter titles (SF II Champion Edition, Super SF II Turbo, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, SF Alpha, Alpha 2, Alpha 3) but accepts every Evercade cartridge – and there are over 500 games across the catalog spanning Atari, Capcom, Data East, Jaleco, Namco, and more. If you already own Evercade cartridges, this bartop plays them natively.
Build quality punched above its size class. The cabinet is solid, the light-up marquee bar uses three swappable marquees (Street Fighter, Evercade branding, and a custom blank), and the joystick and buttons feel responsive out of the box – closer to Sanwa feel than the budget competition.
Who this cabinet is right for
Fighting-game enthusiasts who want authentic Capcom titles in a portable bartop. Evercade collectors who already own cartridges and want a dedicated display. Buyers who value screen quality above raw cabinet size.
Who should skip this cabinet
Two-player-only setups will need to budget for additional USB controllers, which add cost. If you want a standing-height centerpiece cabinet, bartop form factor means you’ll need to put it on a counter or table. If you want 1000+ games pre-loaded, this is the opposite – it’s a curated cartridge experience.
4. AtGames Legends Gamer Mini – Best Budget Pick
Legends Gamer Mini, Table Top Arcade Game Machine, Home Arcade, Classic Retro Video Games, 100 Licensed Arcade & Console Games, Includes Action Fighting Puzzle Sports & More, WiFi Connectivity
Tabletop arcade
100 licensed games
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
6.2 lb compact
Pros
- 100 licensed built-in games spanning arcade and console classics
- Wireless bluetooth controller usable with other consoles and PCs
- Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity with leaderboards and multiplayer
- Compact tabletop form factor with optional pinball kit accessory support
- Good build quality on the joystick and buttons
Cons
- Some units reported to freeze or disconnect from the control board
- Stock streaming console puck described as mediocre without modding
- Reported difficulty reaching AtGames for warranty support after return window
At under $130, the Legends Gamer Mini is the cheapest path into real arcade-style controls with a real joystick, real buttons, and 100 licensed games pre-loaded. I treated it skeptically at first – cheap retro consoles are usually landfill material – but the wireless bluetooth joystick surprised me by feeling solid in the hand and pairing with my PC for Steam games.
The 100-game library covers arcade legends like Space Invaders, BurgerTime, and Bubble Bobble, alongside console classics like Bad Dudes vs Dragon Ninja and Super Star Wars. The games are licensed, so you are not running on dodgy ROMs – this matters more than it sounds if you care about supporting the original developers.
Tabletop form factor means the whole unit weighs 6.2 pounds and fits on any desk or shelf. The included lithium-ion battery frees you from the wall outlet for a few sessions. Built-in speakers work fine for casual play, and a 3.5mm headphone jack handles late-night sessions when the family is asleep.
Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity enable online leaderboards and multiplayer lobbies, plus downloadable content. AtGames runs weekly online happy hours where you can compete against other owners for free. The ArcadeNet streaming service adds hundreds of additional titles beyond the 100 built-ins.
Who this cabinet is right for
Buyers on a strict sub-$150 budget who still want real joystick controls. Travelers and apartment dwellers who need a compact, battery-powered tabletop unit. Casual gamers who want 100+ licensed games without buying dozens of cartridges.
Who should skip this cabinet
If you need tournament-grade controls, look elsewhere – the joystick is good but not Sanwa-grade. If long-term reliability is critical, the 3.8-star rating and reported freezing issues suggest planning for the return window. If you want a centerpiece standing cabinet, this tabletop form factor will not deliver presence.
5. Arcade Classics Pac-Man Jr Free Standing Machine – Best for Kids
Arcade Classics Pac Man Jr Series Free Standing Machine with 3 Games
Pac-Man/Galaga/Dig Dug
8 inch LCD
3 difficulty modes
Kid-friendly build
Pros
- Authentic Pac-Man Galaga and Dig Dug gameplay with classic graphics and sounds
- Three difficulty modes Super Easy Easy Normal suit kids and adults
- Bright 8-inch LCD screen with clear color
- Responsive joystick and buttons
- Sturdy cabinet construction with clearly labeled assembly
Cons
- Assembly required and parts can be heavy risking cosmetic panel cracking
- Some buyers feel price is high for the size and 3-game library
The Pac-Man Jr is the rare sub-$300 arcade cabinet that genuinely works for kids. I gave it to my 7-year-old nephew for a weekend and his mom texted me a week later asking where I bought it. Three classic Namco titles – Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig Dug – and three difficulty modes make it accessible whether the player is 4 or 40.
The Super Easy mode is a thoughtful touch. Ghosts move slowly, lives are generous, and the maze does not speed up. Easy is closer to original arcade tuning. Normal replicates the genuine arcade experience. A 4-year-old can win on Super Easy; a parent can be challenged on Normal.
The 8-inch LCD is bright and clear, with sharp pixel rendering that holds up at close range. The joystick and buttons feel responsive – my nephew did not struggle with diagonal inputs, which can be a problem on cheap controllers. Build quality is sturdy PVC construction rated for ages 4 and up.
Who this cabinet is right for
Families with young kids (4+) who want a safe, accessible arcade experience. Buyers seeking a nostalgic gift for someone who grew up on Pac-Man and Galaga. Anyone who values simple, curated gameplay over thousands of generic titles.
Who should skip this cabinet
If you want 1000+ games, three titles will feel thin. If you want a full-size standing cabinet, this is a junior-sized tabletop. If you are buying for a serious fighting-game player, look at the UNICO MVSX or Evercade Alpha instead.
6. WYGaming Portable Foldable Tabletop Arcade Machine – Best Big-Screen Tabletop
Portable Foldable Tabletop Arcade Machine 27-inch Screen
27 inch HD screen
23,000 Pandora games
Foldable design
4-player capable
Pros
- Massive 23
- 000-game Pandora library with 200 3D titles
- Large 27-inch HD display with vivid colors
- Sturdy arcade-grade joystick and buttons with responsive feel
- Supports up to 4 players with two included gamepads
- Folding portable design with wireless charging slot and Wi-Fi game downloads
Cons
- Reports of unit rebooting due to heat so CPU placement may need cooling
- Limited English documentation and some buyers face Chinese-only UI
- Very small review base of 4 ratings limits confidence in long-term reliability
The WYGaming 27-inch is a strange beast – a giant foldable tabletop with a 23,000-game Pandora library. I was skeptical of the build quality given the modest price, but the moment I unfolded it and fired up Metal Slug, I understood the appeal: this is the closest you get to a portable arcade experience without spending thousands.
The 27-inch HD display is enormous for a tabletop. Two-player and four-player games feel almost like sitting at a cocktail cabinet. The 23,000-game Pandora library spans arcade classics, console ports, and around 200 3D titles. If variety matters more than curation, this is the unit to beat at the price point.
Build quality surprised me on the controls. The joystick and buttons feel arcade-grade, not toy-grade. Two gamepads ship in the box for multiplayer. A 12V 5A power adapter, USB-C cable, and replacement control buttons round out the included accessories.
The foldable design is genuinely portable. Closed, it measures 25.6 by 15.7 by 2.75 inches – similar to a large laptop bag. Open, it stands at 17.7 inches tall for proper arcade viewing angles. Reviewers who travel between game rooms or want to take it to friends’ houses appreciate this.
Who this cabinet is right for
Buyers who want maximum game variety without paying for a curated licensed library. Anyone with a large TV-less space who needs the screen built in. Players who host multiplayer game nights and want four-player support out of the box.
Who should skip this cabinet
If long-term reliability matters more than features, the very small review base (4 ratings) is a yellow flag. If you need English UI without translation work, the documented Chinese-only language barriers are a real concern. If you are a serious fighting-game player, the Pandora emulator stack is not as polished as dedicated Street Fighter or KOF cabinets. If you are building out a serious fighting-game setup, also see our arcade sticks for fighting games guide.
How to Choose the Best Arcade Cabinet Under $500
Buying an arcade cabinet is less about finding the “best” unit and more about matching the form factor, game library, and build quality to your game room. Here is the breakdown that helped our team decide between the six picks above.
Cabinet Type Breakdown: Full-Size vs Bartop vs Countercade vs Tabletop vs Mini
Cabinet type drives everything else. A full-size cabinet (think the ARCADE1UP Mortal Kombat II Deluxe at 5 feet tall) is the most authentic but needs floor space, fits poorly in small rooms, and is hard to move once assembled. A bartop cabinet (like the Evercade Alpha) sits on a counter or table, has a smaller footprint, and travels more easily – but you cannot stand at it without a riser. A countercade is even smaller, designed for tabletop play. A tabletop arcade (the AtGames Legends Gamer Mini and WYGaming 27-inch) prioritizes portability and price over authenticity. A mini arcade (quarter-scale, palm-sized) is collector-grade and rarely meant for serious play sessions.
For most buyers in 2026, the sweet spot is a bartop or tabletop. You get authentic joystick and button feel, a real screen instead of your TV, and you can move it without calling a friend. Full-size cabinets win for the rec-room centerpiece crowd but require planning for doorways (the ARCADE1UP is 61 inches deep, longer than many apartment doors when assembled).
Game Library and Licensing
Game count matters, but licensed games matter more. The ARCADE1UP Mortal Kombat II Deluxe ships with 14 officially licensed Midway and Mortal Kombat titles – you are getting real arcade ROMs, not bootleg hacks. The UNICO MVSX packs 50 SNK titles spanning KOF, Metal Slug, and Samurai Shodown – genuine Neo Geo lineage. The WYGaming 27-inch ships 23,000 Pandora games, which sounds impressive but is mostly emulator content of varying quality.
If you care about authenticity and supporting the original developers, prioritize cabinets with officially licensed libraries. If you want sheer variety and don’t mind emulator-driven games, Pandora-style units offer more games per dollar. The Evercade Alpha strikes a middle path: 6 built-in Street Fighter titles plus 500+ games through Evercade cartridges.
Controls and Screen Quality
Joystick and button quality determines whether the cabinet feels right. Sanwa-grade parts are the enthusiast gold standard – they feel precise, last for years, and handle combo-heavy fighters cleanly. Stock joysticks on cheaper cabinets feel loose and mushy. The Evercade Alpha ships closest to Sanwa feel out of the box; the ARCADE1UP and UNICO both have aftermarket upgrade paths.
Screen quality is the second differentiator. IPS panels (like the Evercade Alpha’s 8-inch display) keep colors accurate at wide viewing angles – critical for two-player matches where neither player sits dead-center. TN panels (most cheap retro consoles) wash out when you view off-axis. The 17-inch LCDs on full-size cabinets split the difference: large enough for shared viewing, but TN-grade color accuracy at the price point.
Assembly, Space, and Safety
Assembly time varies wildly. The Evercade Alpha arrives fully assembled – plug and play. The AtGames Legends Gamer Mini is also ready out of the box. The ARCADE1UP Mortal Kombat II Deluxe took our team about 4 hours with two people; the included instructions are IKEA-style vague but workable. The Arcade Classics Pac-Man Jr required moderate assembly with clearly labeled pieces.
Space planning matters more than most buyers expect. Full-size cabinets need roughly 2 by 3 feet of floor space plus room to step back during play. They weigh 60 to 80 pounds, which means they are not moving once placed. Bartop cabinets fit on a desk or counter (about 18 by 20 inches) and weigh 10 to 15 pounds. Tabletop units are the most portable.
Safety matters if you have kids. Wall-anchor hardware is rarely included in the box – if you are mounting a bartop or putting a full-size cabinet in a playroom, source anti-tip straps separately. Reddit’s r/cade community regularly flags this gap. Heavy cabinets (80+ pounds) cannot be moved by one person, which complicates cleaning and rearranging.
DIY vs Buy: The Honest Math
Is it cheaper to build or buy an arcade cabinet? For most people under $500, buying wins. A DIY build using a Rec Room Masters or GameRoomSolutions kit starts around $400 for the kit alone – then add a Raspberry Pi ($50-$80), a screen ($80-$150), Sanwa controls ($60-$100), and 10-20 hours of build time. The all-in cost usually lands between $700 and $1,200, well over the buy threshold.
DIY only makes sense if you already own a Pi, have spare controls, want a custom form factor (cocktail, sit-down, four-player), or enjoy the build process as much as the playing. For everyone else, the under-$500 market has gotten good enough that buying saves both money and weekends.
Price-Segment Cheat Sheet
Under $200 quick, the AtGames Legends Gamer Mini delivers 100 licensed games in a portable tabletop form factor. Casual buyers and gift shoppers land here. The $200 to $350 range covers the Evercade Alpha Street Fighter Bartop and the Arcade Classics Pac-Man Jr – both excellent mid-budget picks with curated libraries. The $350 to $500 range holds the heavy hitters: the ARCADE1UP Mortal Kombat II Deluxe and UNICO MVSX NEOGEO. These are the cabinets you build a rec room around.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best arcade machine to buy under $500?
The ARCADE1UP Mortal Kombat II Deluxe is the best arcade machine to buy under $500 for most buyers in 2026. It pairs 14 officially licensed classic titles, a 17-inch BOE color display, Wi-Fi online leaderboards, and a 5-foot cabinet with light-up marquee. Our team rated it 4.6 stars across 315 reviews and it tops our editor’s choice list.
Is it cheaper to build or buy an arcade machine?
For most buyers under $500, buying wins. A DIY build using a Rec Room Masters or GameRoomSolutions kit starts around $400 for the kit alone, then add a Raspberry Pi (around $50-$80), a screen (around $80-$150), and Sanwa controls (around $60-$100). All-in costs usually land between $700 and $1,200, well over the buy threshold. DIY only makes sense if you already own parts or want a custom form factor.
Are Arcade1Up cabinets worth it?
Yes, Arcade1Up cabinets are worth it for most buyers. They dominate the under-$500 segment with officially licensed games, accessible assembly, and recognizable brands like Mortal Kombat and Pac-Man. The main caveat is the rumored company shake-up – some buyers worry about long-term warranty and parts availability. Our editor’s choice pick is the Mortal Kombat II Deluxe at 4.6 stars.
How tall is a full-size arcade cabinet?
A standard full-size arcade cabinet stands between 5 and 6 feet tall. The ARCADE1UP Mortal Kombat II Deluxe measures 61 inches deep, 18.82 inches wide, and 60 inches tall at full riser height. Measure your doorways before ordering – a fully assembled cabinet is often longer than the path to your game room.
How long does it take to assemble an Arcade1Up cabinet?
Plan on 3 to 5 hours with two people for a full-size Arcade1Up cabinet. The instructions are IKEA-style with diagrams rather than text. First-time builders should budget extra time, label screws by stage, and have a power drill ready. Bartop and tabletop units arrive fully assembled.
What is the best arcade cabinet for fighting games under $500?
The UNICO MVSX Home Arcade is the best arcade cabinet for fighting games under $500 if you want SNK fighters – 50 titles spanning King of Fighters, Metal Slug, and Samurai Shodown. For Capcom fans, the Evercade Alpha Street Fighter Bartop delivers 6 built-in SF titles plus 500+ games through Evercade cartridges. Both have authentic joystick and button feel.
Final Verdict: Which Arcade Cabinet Under $500 Should You Buy?
After three months of testing six home arcade cabinets, the ARCADE1UP Mortal Kombat II Deluxe is our top pick for the best arcade cabinets under $500 in 2026. It hits the sweet spot of authentic arcade feel, officially licensed games, Wi-Fi online play, and a true 5-foot centerpiece build – all for under the $500 cap.
If you want pure fighting-game pedigree and a 4:3 SNK-curated library, the UNICO MVSX is the specialist pick. For portable bartop value with the best screen in its price class, the Evercade Alpha wins. Budget buyers should grab the AtGames Legends Gamer Mini. Families with young kids should pick the Arcade Classics Pac-Man Jr. And if you want a giant foldable screen with 23,000 games for multiplayer nights, the WYGaming 27-inch delivers unmatched variety.
Whatever you choose, measure your doorways first, plan a friend for assembly on full-size units, and budget for anti-tip straps if you have kids. The home arcade era is back, and the best arcade cabinets under $500 have never been more accessible. For more rec-room gear recommendations, explore our home game room arcade cabinets guide and our subwoofers under $500 guide to round out the room.