Last Updated on February 1, 2023 by Tim
Guide To Buying Bookshelf Speakers
When you talk about stereo speakers, various types are available to work with most modern entertainment systems and home theater setups. Bookshelf speakers are one of them and are meant to be placed on a raised surface. These, along with the floor-standing ones, are the most popular types, available as part of most consumer electronics music system.
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Many people look for a great set of speakers to improve the home activities, and bookshelf speakers are some of the most popular types of speakers that people pick from. If you’re looking for these kinds of speakers that you can place on your bookshelf or mantle, please consider the following options before making a final decision on a purchase. They’re great models with great reviews to back them up.
Speakers form an important part of any entertainment system and are responsible for delivering realistic sounds that make the overall experience so life-like. Most home theater systems nowadays use up to 5 speakers, depending on what version you buy. The bookshelf speakers that can be kept on a stand or mounted at an elevation are a part of most of these setups.
Though the bookshelf speakers look small in size, some of them can pack a lot of punch. These incorporate cutting-edge technology that delivers expansive and crystal clear sound. And these are designed to produce impressive sound quality over a range of frequencies. A tweeter is usually included for the higher frequency sounds.
Advantages of Bookshelf Speakers
There are several advantages of using these speakers, as opposed to say a floor-standing one. The smaller size means they look elegant and are more suitable for compact or mid-sized rooms. They can be used not just for listening to music but also for watching movies, by connecting it to your television or even computer.
Keeping in tune with the modern furniture that is available for most high-end entertainment systems, you do get accessories such as stands and mounts to place these at convenient locations. You do get good-looking stands that not only provide adequate support to the speakers but also gels well with most home furniture.
If you are looking for the best balance of sound quality and size, then, these speakers are the ones to look for. You just need to get matching stands or brackets! Bookshelf speakers offer excellent sound quality and can be used for a variety of applications, whether on their own or as part of a home theater setup.
Best Brands
Pinnacle Universal Satellite Speakers
This is a very reputable bookshelf speaker setup that can deliver excellent audio output from far distances. It has over 100 watts of amp power, more than capable of rattling the books off of your shelf, should you want it to. If you’re concerned about price, you shouldn’t be since you can find a pair of these satellite speakers for under $90 at many retailers around the net.
Infinity Primus BookShelf Speaker
This is the perfect model for a younger person who wants both a high-quality output of sound, as well as a modern style of a speaker to go along with their home décor. The Primus even sounds like something out of the future, so why wouldn’t it live up to its name aesthetically? These can also be purchased for under $100, which is perfect for younger people who might not be making that much money yet.
IntelliTouch LoudSpeakers
Again, if you want something that can knock the books right off your shelf, this is one of the best choices for you. It’s also perfect for a home theater system, or simply something for rocking out at home. These are one of the best speakers you can find for under $100 as well.
Imagine yourself sitting at home in your living room watching a movie with your girlfriend, when suddenly an explosion comes across the screen, as well as from the speakers behind you on your bookshelf. It will feel like you’re in the movie yourself and you’ll be able to enjoy the experience that much more. It will be a wonderful experience with much more entertainment value than simply watching a movie with ONLY standard stock speakers from a stereo.
Do yourself a huge favor and purchase cheap bookshelf speakers. You won’t be disappointed.
7 Bookshelf Speakers under $500
| Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3 Next Generation Ultra Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker | Provides soulful sound experience; crossover occurs at 250 Hz; sound remains coherent at all pitches & levels | Very Good | Low | 4.2 / 5 |
| NHT Classic | Twin speakers with low distortion + extra octave base; provide surround sound; well-balanced sound experience | Very Good | Mid-Range | 4.3 / 5 |
| Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73 | Shaped in a way to eliminate muddling of sound; speaker's throw is clear; plays with clear audio crystal | Very Good | Mid-Range | 4.4 / 5 |
| Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 | Designed to work as bookshelf speakers; produces clean sound; highly affordable | Very Good | Mid-Range | 4.3 / 5 |
| Audioengine A5+ | Built in Kevlar woofers; comes with remote control, dual audio inputs & thermal management; speakers are bass-oriented | Excellent | Mid-Range | 4.7 / 5 |
| KEF Q100 | Speaker assembled using new aluminum core technology; light weight; enhanced woofer performance | Very Good | High | 4.5 / 5 |
| Audioengine P4 | High end audio device; best speakers for classical music; powerful with heavy bass response | Very Good | Mid-Range | 4.3 / 5 |
1. Cambridge
The sound experience that is produced by these speakers is very soulful. They are robust speakers and the pair works cohesively in such a manner that sound is immersive and the quality is very good. The best thing about these speakers is that they are affordable and cost well under 500$. The crossover in the speakers occurs at 250Hz, which makes the sound quality remain coherent at all levels and pitches.
2. NHT Classic
This twin speaker has low distortion and an extra octave base, which has improved the sound quality by much higher levels. The best feature of these speakers is that they provide surround sound, which enhances the music listening experience. These speakers are with the money that is spent on them as they give well-balanced sound in just $500.
3. Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73
These speakers have been designed by Andrew Jones, who is a world famous engineer. These speakers are so perfectly designed that you get a 3d experience. These speakers are shaped in such a way that there is no muddling of sound due to the presence of any object that might be causing intrusion. The speaker’s throw is very clear and hence it can play frequencies well above the range keeping the audio crystal clear. The total output power of the speakers is 140 watts. Though the size of the speaker is well above those of normal bookshelf speakers, but the audio quality and price of the speakers are worth it.
4. Bowers & Wilkins MM-1
These speakers do not exactly come under the category of bookshelf speakers, but their design is such that they are most popularly used as bookshelf speakers. They are designed well aesthetically and the clean sound that they produce as a result are beyond amazing. Their cost is well under $500.
5. Audioengine A5+
These bookshelf speakers are custom designed with built-in cabinets, they have built in Kevlar woofers. The speakers come with their accessories which include a remote control, dual audio inputs and the most astounding feature of thermal management. The speakers are more bass oriented, the sound result that is produced is very near to the actual recorded sound and hence the quality of the music is not compromised.
6. KEF Q100
These speakers are one of their kind and come under the category of premium speakers. Their bookshelf speakers are in the price range of $400-$450. They are assembled using the new aluminum core technology, which gives light weight to the speakers and also enhances the performance of the woofer.
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