10 of the Best Bookshelf Speakers on the Market [Reviews & Buying Guide]
Bookshelf speakers are standalone speakers that can be placed on the shelf and connected to your home entertainment system to play audio. They typically offer reliable and easy listening without charging them or pairing them every time you power them on. The best bookshelf speakers deliver high-quality sound and can still offer other perks like the wireless pairing, remote operation frequency alteration controls. This makes it more enjoyable to play music from your devices or have a cinema experience when you plug them into your TV system. Here is a list of some bookshelf speakers that go a step ahead in providing you with better home entertainment.
Table of Contents
- A List of Best Bookshelf Speakers
- 1. Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers
- 2. Polk Audio T15 100 Watt Bookshelf Speakers
- 3. Klipsch R-41M Powerful Bookshelf Home Speaker Set
- 4. Audioengine A5 Plus Classic Bookshelf Speakers
- 5. Edifier S350DB Bookshelf Speaker and Subwoofer
- 6. Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers
- 7. Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speaker System
- 8. ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers
- 9. PSB Alpha P5 Bookshelf Speaker
- 10. NHT C Series C-1 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker
- Bluetooth Speakers vs. Bookshelf Speakers
- What to Look for When Buying Bookshelf Speakers
- FURTHER READING
A List of Best Bookshelf Speakers
1. Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers
The Edifier R1280T speakers deliver an impressive mid-range sound all through a compact and retro-looking system. The speakers have a suave wooden finish that keeps them looking good on your bookshelves or next to the rest of the home entertainment system. They connect through regular speaker wire and have an RCA connection on the active speaker. The active speaker has 2 RCA inputs and AUX inputs, making it possible to connect multiple audio devices to all your home entertainment speakers. You can be assured of quality 2.0 stereo sound from the 4-inch speakers that have a dome tweeter to capture realistic audio experiences.
These bookshelf speakers come with a remote control that lets you power them on or off and do all the crucial operations like bass control, treble, and main volume. You could also mute the speakers when needed and make the changes from AUX to the RCA connections without using the knob panels. The Edifier R1280T speakers provide you with quality surround sound for your entertainment. Still, they also double up as extra space for your existing home décor.
- It contains a passive and active speaker.
- The speakers support AUX and RCA connections
- All have a wooden finish.
- The controls support bass, treble, and main.
2. Polk Audio T15 100 Watt Bookshelf Speakers
The Polk T15 speakers are a home theater box speaker system that will give clear stereo sound for your enjoyment. They consist of a 5.5-inch main speaker and a tweeter on each speaker. You can easily connect the speakers to the rest of your entertainment system through the RCA ports or use the speaker wires. The box speakers are ideal for movie-lovers or gamers. Their shape is perfect for shelves, wall units, or for hanging. Mounting the speaker on the wall is very easy as the speakers both have a keyhole slot that is large enough to mount on wall hooks.
They deliver quality mid-range sound. This assures that you will have quality bass even when playing at low volumes or playing low-frequency sounds. Ideally, their Left-Right configuration makes it easier to set up the speakers and ensure that each sound comes from the right speaker when watching movies in stereo. The Polk T15 speakers support Dolby and DTS sounds, enabling users to enjoy wide-open and mid-range bass responses for entertainment. The recommended channels are 20- 100 Watts, all with a ‘Dynamic Balance’ technology.
- It has dynamic balance technology.
- The main speaker is 5.25 inches and has a 0.75-inch tweeter.
- The speakers support wall hanging.
- It connects to most home theaters.
3. Klipsch R-41M Powerful Bookshelf Home Speaker Set
The Klipsch R-41M home speaker system is a set of 2 black 200W speakers that deliver great sounds at high and low frequencies. These hardy speakers are ideal for home entertainment systems and any compact spaces. You can also have them in the bedroom. The speakers look good because of their copper woofers and aluminum matte tweeters. These are a great break from the common paper and textile speakers that most speakers come with. The main speaker (bass) is 4 inches in diameter while the horn speakers contain a 1-inch tweeter. These all provide an excellent crossover frequency.
The speakers are very compact, allowing them to fit into very tight spaces and shelves without occupying too much space. You can, therefore, add on other components of the home entertainment system very easily. For the sound quality, you can bet that the Klipsch R-41M home speakers will have minimal sound distortion because of their metallic construction. These usually offer a linear travel suspension (LTS) that is exclusive to Klipsch speakers.
- The 4-inch main speaker and a tweeter horn.
- The speaker cones are light and rigid.
- The design reduces artificial reverberation.
- The speakers have a polished modern design.
4. Audioengine A5 Plus Classic Bookshelf Speakers
The Audioengine A5 speakers give out a punchy bass sound and still look good because of their wooden bamboo finish. They offer a classic look that auger well with the rest of the living room’s furniture. The speakers can be plugged into a laptop or phone using the 3.5mm jack and still give loud sound because of the inbuilt amplifier. This lets you play loud music from your phone without the need for a separate mixer or amplifier. It also contains a 1/8 mini-jack and separate In/Out ports for easy connection to other music players.
The speakers have the size advantage as they are really small but can give very loud sounds. You can enjoy high notes and low-frequency bass without having to place huge speakers in your living room. With the 2 R and 2 L connectors, the Audioengine A5 speakers are the right solution if you want to connect more than one system and have the sounds coming from different machines. The remote controller, therefore, helps you switch easily between TV sound and a music player. The classic left speaker has indicators for your power and volume control.
- You can select the preferred voltage.
- An aluminum remote controller is included.
- They contain built-in power amplifiers.
- They include a USB charging port.
5. Edifier S350DB Bookshelf Speaker and Subwoofer
The Edifier S350DB speakers are a 2.1 surround sound system that has an 8-inch main subwoofer. You can be assured of a sound experience that captures all the deep lows and provides clear sharp highs. 2.1 surround sound is enjoyable if you need to carry a cinema experience right into your own house. These speakers support Bluetooth connectivity and have a wireless remote controller to keep let you relax and operate it without having to press the buttons and knobs on the speakers. The remote controllers help you skip tracks, change the volume and skip between optical, auxiliary, and coaxial modes.
The side panel speakers have a circular port to ensure that the bass is properly projected around the room with minimal interference. These also help the bass notes remain audible while minimizing the vibration of the speaker component. The titanium dome speakers give clear high sounds while still protecting the speaker from damage. You can say goodbye to all the annoying rattling that may transfer to other items around the shelf. The speakers have a rugged and trendy look that does not require a front grille. You can connect it to other appliances using the RCA, AUX, and Optical ports or pair it once with a Bluetooth device.
- The speaker supports 2.1 surround sounds.
- The speakers support Bluetooth V4.1.
- It has a wireless remote control for ease of operation.
- They contain two satellite speakers for wireless sound.
6. Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers
The Edifier R1700BT speakers are some studio-quality speakers that come in a 2.0 configuration. The 2.0 surround sound delivers clear cut sounds between the left satellite speaker and the right speaker, all with audible bass. The two 66W main speakers each have a 19mm dome tweeter to capture the metallic hats and high-frequency sounds. They are a good accompaniment for the 4-inch bass drivers that churn out a good mix of bass and treble. This model supports Bluetooth connection making it possible to play music from your phone or plugging it to a game console.
You get the option to use the knobs on the side panel to alter the bass, treble, and main volume. The range control ensures that the speakers always remain at a comfortable level each time they power on. This prevents having to turn the knobs down every time before you power them on. They are an all-around and versatile speaker configuration that lets you use them in a studio, on your computer, or as part of your home entertainment system. These bookshelf speakers come with a remote control that lets you adjust the controls, but it also lets you put the speakers on standby and low power mode.
- They support Bluetooth connectivity for most devices.
- You can easily change the input source using the RC.
- It supports digital volume control.
- Conveniently arranged dials.
7. Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speaker System
The Sony SSCS5 speaker is a 3-way system that is made to give you an extra surround sound experience. They have a bass reflex system that ensures you have quality bass distributed throughout the entertainment room. The component design ensures that all the sounds are channeled through clearly defined paths. A 5.1-inch woofer system delivers the bass with realistic low frequencies while capturing all the mid-range sounds well. The speaker itself is made out of high-quality material and has a cellular diaphragm to give extra detail on the varying low frequencies. You can count on this for movie entertainment.
In terms of sound quality, these speakers go the extra mile to give off high-resolution audio. Because of the high-resolution audio, the sound quality given off is always better than CD quality. The HR audio capabilities can play the audio tracks with all the details of a live performance. That feature, coupled with the super-tweeter configuration, gives the utmost quality to all your audio requirements. A sleek faceplate with tapered ages covers the front sides without interfering with all the sound acoustics.
- The speaker is made out of a mica reinforced cone.
- It provides deep and stable low frequencies.
- It’s covered with a tapered faceplate.
- 100W high-resolution audio.
8. ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers
The ELAC debut speakers consist of a pair of 5.1-inch speakers that come in a 2.0 stereo configuration. Each component is made of high-quality parts that give a wide-dispersion sound. The aramid woven speakers combine well with the new tweeter system to give proper bass kicks. Just the right high frequency sounds for a pleasurable experience. Its main speaker is well suspended within the cabinet, and an extra front-firing port gives a unique bass compression. Front-firing ports are always a plus on bookshelf speakers because they allow listeners to direct specific sounds to the direction the speaker’s faces.
At a frequency response range of 44Hz and 35000Hz, most of the notes you can expect from an audio track are picked without distortion. The ELAC debut speakers will do a great job if you think of some handy speaker system for a simple home studio or a gaming console. Connect the driver speaker to the passive speaker and plug the system into your TV or laptop to start enjoying music. It handles well when placed on the floor or inside a shelf as the cabinet is well shielded to prevent vibration.
- The speakers are made of woven aramid fiber.
- It has front-firing ports for the bass.
- Play most frequencies without distortion.
- Internal bracing will keep the cabinet stable.
9. PSB Alpha P5 Bookshelf Speaker
The PSB Alpha speakers are a compact speaker system that utilizes advanced drivers to deliver 2.0 surround sounds. They can provide an almost exact sound stage due to the aluminum dome tweeters, and rubber suspended main subwoofers. The 5.25-inch speakers are crafted from quality PPP material and are held in place with a rubber layer between the cabinet. This prevents more vibration between the wooden surface cabinet and the speaker, providing quality surround bass. The bass ports fire towards the back, giving fantastic sound distribution even when the speakers are placed inside a deep shelf.
The first thing that strikes you when you look at these speakers is the smooth vinyl finish on the wood grain cabinets. The black speakers are also available in black ash color or walnut. The smaller tweeter speakers are made out of anodized aluminum. They have a cone waveguide to direct the sounds more precisely. That also gives a smooth response to the high-frequency sounds and vocals.
- It has back-facing firing ports.
- It has dual layer voice coils.
- The wood gives it a beautiful finish.
- 25 inch main speakers.
10. NHT C Series C-1 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker
The NHT C-1 speakers are high-tech standalone speakers that can give out extreme bass. They are just compact enough to fit in a bookshelf and still come with plenty of mounting options and stand configurations. They offer some really good surround sound for a 2.0 configuration system. With the 5.25 inches polypropylene speakers and a tweeter horn attached at the top, a clear wide range sound is guaranteed. The cabinet is well-designed to distribute all the sound notes around a small room while canceling out noise. You can also combine it with other NHC systems to give an even better sound experience.
The speaker cabinet is only 9.6 inches high. It goes 7 inches in depth, keeping it ideal for bookshelf placement and desktop usage. Each cabinet is carefully sealed and has acoustic suspension to offer dynamic range music without the need to have firing ports. It is just what you need if you want a speaker system that can be used in a smaller room without having noise distortion. It is the one for you when you need to have speakers that play audio with the highest quality reproduction of sounds. You can connect all your wires to the nickel-plated binding ports using regular speaker wire.
- It has no firing ports.
- The speakers are self-standing.
- 25-inch speakers.
- Acoustic suspension.
Bluetooth Speakers vs. Bookshelf Speakers
Bluetooth speakers are speakers that usually connect to the audio players through a Bluetooth connection. They are different from bookshelf speakers, mostly using an RCA, coaxial, or AUX connection to the music players. You would find bookshelf speakers more practical when you need to have a one-off connection that you can connect and use in a more permanent configuration. You will like that a single power connection is enough, and they do not need you to charge batteries like Bluetooth speakers.
What to Look for When Buying Bookshelf Speakers
When buying bookshelf speakers, the main determinant of the quality is the configuration of the main speakers, the cabinet, and the connectivity options.
Speaker Configuration
Most bookshelf speakers consist of a main speaker and tweeters. A single tweeter horn does the trick, but having two more in a single speaker panel is advantageous. Normal main speakers vary from 4 inches to 7 inches in width.
Cabinet
Good cabinets should have proper craftwork done to prevent more vibration and sound distortion. Always lookout for the location of the firing ports because these determine the direction of the bass. Front-facing firing ports channel the bass forwards and around the room.
Connectivity
Lately, some speakers offer more than one connection channel. Some allow wireless links with other music players. Even when you choose speakers that can connect through Bluetooth, make sure that you have additional connection options like speaker wire, coaxial plugs, RCA cable, or In/Outports. Having more ports lets you connect more than one device.
Conclusion
Great features like Dolby surround sound and high definition audio ensure that you get the best sound quality out of bookshelf speakers. Your main speakers can have additional tweeter horns always to ensure that you capture the best audio quality frequencies. You can get the best deals for your bucks if the speakers reproduce the low frequencies and high frequencies well. The best bookshelf speakers give you plenty of options to adjust the sound to your liking and connect with most of the music playing devices you have.