Onkyo SCEPTER-500 (1978–1980)

A floor-standing speaker from late-1970s Japanese high-end audio, built like a fortress and finished in walnut.

Overview

The Onkyo SCEPTER-500 was built between 1978 and 1980. It is a massive floor-standing loudspeaker, and it sat at the top of Onkyo's Scepter series, a line that also included the E-503 A, E-603 A, and E-804 A. Japanese audio companies were gaining global respect for their engineering at the time, and this speaker reflects Onkyo's commitment to quality construction and premium materials. It sold in Japan for approximately 580,000 yen in 1978. That put it in the high-end bracket, aimed at audiophiles who wanted performance and presence. It has an imposing stature and a walnut finish, and it was designed to dominate a room both sonically and visually.

Specifications

Historical Context

The SCEPTER-500 came along while Onkyo was building its reputation for high-fidelity equipment with careful attention to detail. It belonged to the Scepter series, which included the Scepter E-503 A, Scepter E-603 A, and Scepter E-804 A, and the series suggests a deliberate push into the premium speaker market. No contemporaneous reviews or technical documentation have surfaced. The weight, size, and price point indicate it was meant as a flagship. Later analysis of Onkyo's business trajectory noted that the company prioritized manufacturing quality over market adaptability.

Similar items on eBay

No exact Onkyo SCEPTER-500 listings are live right now — these searches show current Onkyo and similar vintage audio gear on eBay:

As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.

Related Models

• Onkyo 1010A
• Onkyo E-413Aoak
• Onkyo HS-201
• Onkyo HS-301
• Onkyo MX5
• Braun AUDIO-1 (1965)
• Braun AUDIO-250 (1965)
• Magnavox Component Systems (1972)
• Acoustic Research AR (1967-1976)
• Acoustic Research 11