Best Bookshelf Speaker Reviews 2023

If you’re wondering how much bookshelf speakers cost and expect to get a straight answer you’ll certainly be disappointed. These speakers can be so varied in quality and features that it’s practically impossible to just give a figure. The best we can do is give you a range within which you’re certain to get a good set.

From our findings, you will get a good quality bookshelf speakers from between $120 and $800. The features you’ll get will largely depend on how much you’re willing to pay. Factors like quality, output power, brand name and other extra features can make a set costlier or less costly than another.

To help simplify the process, we’ve selected the best speakers within the range mentioned above. Every speaker listed here was carefully chosen because it’ll deliver value. These are not cheap bookshelf speakers; they’re good quality speakers with varying levels of features. Decide what works best for you – either you go with a budget you decide to stick to or you look for what you like and pay the price. Either way, you’ll get something worthwhile.

When choosing bookshelf speakers, certain key issues have to be considered. Some of these are features while some are just factors to consider. We shall look at a combination of a couple of this, hoping that this will help make this process easier. These key issues we’ll look at include:

• Size and design
• Wattage
• Frequency response
• 2-way, 3-way or full range
• Powered or passive
• Connection options
• Placement

Why is size and design important? We’ve already stated that bookshelf speakers are kept on elevated surfaces like bookshelves and speaker stands among other such locations. You certainly want to ensure that the size of speaker you get matches the position where you intend to place it. You could of course get the speakers first before preparing a place for it to stay. Either way, size will still be an issue. Another thing that makes size important is the size of the space where you want to use these speakers. Bookshelf speakers are best when they’re heard and not necessarily seen, unless of course you want yours to be very conspicuous.

The design of a speaker can influence where and how you place it. The best position for a speaker will be lower than other speakers because if you were to position them higher, the sound will be directed to the roof (unless that’s what you’re aiming for of course).

The wattage of a speaker simply tells you the power it can handle. You’ll likely have two figures: one called RMS (root mean square) and the other peak. The RMS rating gives you the power at which the speaker can run conveniently while the peak power tells you the highest power the speaker can handle for a short while without getting damaged. You should avoid this second rating like the plague.

This is particularly important if you choose to get passive speakers rather than powered speakers. Passive speakers are speakers that’ll require external amplification while powered speakers have their amplification installed internally. If you get a powered speaker, you won’t need to worry about the wattage of the amplifier as it has already been correctly matched. If however you get passive speakers, you will need to match them with the right amplifiers for optimal performance.

Match them with an amplifier with too much power and you risk damaging them. On the other hand, match them with an amplifier with insufficient power and the speakers will under-perform.

When you see the term “Frequency Response” you’re simply being told the frequencies that the speaker can reproduce. It usually gives you a range like 55Hz - 20kHz. If you want a speaker with very low bass, then look for a speaker with the lowest frequency response.

You may also come across terms such as full range, 2-way and 3-way. These refer to the drivers present in the speaker. A 2-way speaker has two drivers – the tweeter for high frequencies and the woofer for mid and low frequencies. A 3-way speaker (which many also call a full range speaker) has 3 drivers – a tweeter for the high frequencies, a medium woofer for the hi-mid and low-mid frequencies and a woofer for the low frequencies. A 3-way or full range speaker is supposed to produce a fuller spectrum of sound frequencies which should naturally result in a more detailed sound.

Have you considered your connection options? You’ll have to decide if you want a wired speaker or a wireless one. Most wireless speakers connect via Bluetooth. If you’re going for a wireless speaker, be sure to understand the kind of wireless connection it offers. If you want a wired speaker, you may be interested in speakers that offer extras like cables and banana plugs for your connection.

If you’re getting bookshelf speakers to add to your sound setup, which already includes a subwoofer, focus on getting speakers with good highs and mids. You may not really need a full-range speaker. If however you’re just getting these speakers to use alone, then make sure you get full-range speakers that can give you good highs, mids and lows.

When you’ve finally gotten your bookshelf speakers, you’ll certainly want to get the very best from them. To achieve this, you need to take note of some of these placement tips.

• Don’t place your speakers very close to hard, flat surfaces, because they’ll reflect the sound so much and in straight lines.
• Don’t place them in an enclosure; they’ll perform better in an open space.
• Don’t place them where they’ll be surrounded by soft materials as these will diminish its sound quality.
• If you’re getting them for use on your computer desk, don’t place them directly on the desk’s hard surface. Place something soft and absorptive between the speakers and the desk.

If your space is not acoustically treated for sound, with the right reflectors, diffusers and absorbers, you can make the most of what you have by simply using speaker stands and keeping them a short distance from hard, flat surfaces.