7 Best Bookshelf Speakers
Are you looking to buy the best bookshelf speakers, but can’t seem to find anything that you like? The marketplace offers a lot of choice that come with different features and if you don’t know what to look for then it can be really hard to decide which one to purchase. We have created a buying considerations section that goes over the features that you should take note of.
In addition, we have created three different price categories so that all customers have options to choose from whether you’re on a budget or not. Each bookshelf speaker offers their own unique features so read the descriptions carefully and decide best option for you.
Once you have finished reading this buyer’s guide you’ll have the right knowledge to purchase yourself the best bookshelf speaker. Even if you don’t buy from us you’ll still know what to look for when buying bookshelf speakers elsewhere.
| Budget |
|---|
 |
| Edifier R1280T |
| 4.9/5.0 |
| Weight: 10.8 Pounds |
| Frequency range: 75 Hz – 18k Hz |
| Wide frequency response leads to a detail audio session. |
| Check Amazon |
| Best Value |
|---|
 |
| ELAC Uni-fi UB5 |
| 5.0/5.0 |
| Weight: 35.8 Pounds |
| Frequency range: 46 Hz – 25k Hz |
| Sound is incredibly accurate and tuned perfectly. |
| Check Amazon |
| Top Pick |
|---|
 |
| KEF LS50 |
| 5.0/5.0 |
| Weight: 15.87 Pounds |
| Frequency range: 19 Hz – 28k Hz |
| Extremely loud at 106 dB and uses Uni-Q drivers. |
| Check Amazon |
Buying considerations
Audio quality
Brand
Connectivity
Practicality
Items by price:
Bookshelf Speakers Comparison Table
| Make and Model | Weight | Frequency range | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers | 10.8 Pounds | 75 Hz – 18k Hz | Check Price |
| Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf Speakers | 9.13 Pounds | 55 Hz – 20k Hz | Check Price |
| Audioengine A5+ Premium Powered Bookshelf Speakers | 25 Pounds | 50 Hz – 22k Hz | Check Price |
| ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers | 16.31 Pounds | 44 Hz – 35k Hz | Check Price |
| KEF LS50 Mini Monitor Bookshelf Speakers | 15.87 Pounds | 19 Hz – 28k Hz | Check Price |
| ELAC Uni-fi UB5 Slim Bookshelf Speaker | 35.8 Pounds | 46 Hz – 25k Hz | Check Price |
| Klipsch RP-160M Bookshelf Speaker | 20.9 Pounds | 45 Hz – 25k Hz | Check Price |
Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $200
The under $200 price category features the best budget bookshelf speakers that are available today. These options are great for people who don’t have a lot of money to invest in a home theater, but want to upgrade their sound system.
1. Best Budget: Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers
Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5
The Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers utilizes a 13mm silk dome tweeter and a 4 inch full range unit. Together they take advantage of the wide 75 Hz – 18k Hz frequency response to bring you excellent sounding audio. These bookshelf speakers are great for watching movies as you feel all the bass immersing you into the film.
In addition, you can connect to the speakers using a 3.5mm AUX cable, which means you can play music from your smartphone. There are 2 RCA outputs allowing you to connect to a stereo, but make sure you know how to connect the wires beforehand. You can do this by watching various tutorials online.
Moreover, you get a remote control upon purchasing these bookshelf speakers, which can be used to adjust the volume and regulate the bass/treble. You also get a 2 year warranty that replaces your damaged product hassle-free.
Setting up the bookshelf speakers can be a little difficult if you don’t know what you’re doing as you have to connect wires to your stereo. Also, the size of the speakers is quite large so make sure you have space where to put them.
In summary, the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers produce accurate sounding music thanks to its 75 Hz – 18k Hz frequency response. You get a remote control in the box, which can be used to control the bass and treble.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Weight: 10.8 Pounds |
| Frequency Response: 75 Hz – 18k Hz |
| Mountable: No |
| Warranty: N/A |
| The Pros |
|---|
| 2 RCA outputs |
| Wide frequency response leads to a detail audio session |
| Comes with a remote control that can be used to adjust the bass and treble |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Not a compact size |
| Can be tricky to setup if you don’t know what you’re doing |
2. Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf Speakers
Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5
The Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf Speakers has a total power of 80 watts, which means it can output extremely loud music that fills up a room with ease. A 4 inch structured surface woofer with oversized magnets and a vented pole piece help deliver detailed bass. Also, the nominal impedance is 6 ohms so the audio never sounds out of place.
Moreover, Pioneer is one of the best audio brands today, so if you purchasing from them you’re almost guaranteed a premium product. Also, they have put a lot of time and effort to make their speakers the best of the best, and the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR is no different.
In addition, the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf Speakers is part of a whole audio system so if you purchase these speakers you can keep on adding to your home setup. The style of the bookshelf speaker is wooden black and works well with all sorts of decors.
Due to the fact that the bookshelf speakers are made from a premium brand their prices are a lot higher. However, the benefit of this is that you are guaranteed a great product. Other than that there aren’t many negatives with these bookshelf speakers.
To conclude, the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf Speakers is an excellent choice, because of its amazing power that can easily fill a room with audio. These bookshelf speakers are part of a whole system so you can keep on adding to the collection to create a home theater.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Weight: 9.13 Pounds |
| Frequency Response: 55 Hz – 20k Hz |
| Mountable: No |
| Warranty: N/A |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Part of a home theater system |
| 80 watts of power |
| Excellent bass |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Price is higher due to the brand name |
| Black design may not be for everyone |
Best Budget Soundbar Under $500
The under $500 price category has some of the best mid ranged price bookshelf speakers that offers great build quality and excellent audio output. The frequency ranges are high with these speakers so they can produce pin point audio, which makes the music sounds lifelike.
3. Audioengine A5+ Premium Powered Bookshelf Speakers
Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5
The Audioengine A5+ Premium Powered Bookshelf Speakers uses a wide frequency response of 50 Hz – 22k Hz, which means the beats sound clearer and accurate. The drivers have been tuned by professional sound engineers so the quality of the music is extremely good. Also, the music can fill up a room easy as the SNR can go up to 95 dB.
Furthermore, the design of the speaker looks brilliant and you can choose from multiple styles. One of the best designs is the wooden skin, which goes well with many home decors. The tweeter is located at the top and the woofer is located at the bottom making it look stylish.
Moreover, connecting the bookshelf speaker to a stereo is extremely fast as it can be done within minutes. Also, you can tune the speaker yourself, because it has built in cogs that allow you to regulate the bass and treble.
However, tuning the drivers yourself can be difficult if you don’t know what you’re doing. Also, the drivers are exposed so accidental splashes or drops can damage them easily.
To summarize, the Audioengine A5+ Premium Powered Bookshelf Speakers can output excellent sounding audio, because of the professionally tuned drivers. You can even tune the drivers yourself by using the cogs to adjust the bass and treble. In addition, you get the option to choose from multiple different styles giving you a personalized product.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Weight: 25 Pounds |
| Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 22k Hz |
| Mountable: No |
| Warranty: N/A |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Built-in EQ |
| Multiple different designs to choose from |
| 95 dB sensitivity |
| The Cons |
|---|
| No mountable option |
| No grill |
4. ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers
Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5
The ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers produce excellent sounding audio, because of the premium tweeter and subwoofer used. Using a wide frequency response of 44 Hz – 35k Hz the speakers can produce clear cut audio, which makes listening to music and watching movies ideal.
Setting up the speaker is extremely fast and can be done within minutes if you know what you’re doing. The nominal impedance is 6 Ohms so the drivers consistently produce premium sounding audio that doesn’t sound distorted.
The build quality of the bookshelf speakers is excellent and when holding it you can tell that the device is going to be long lasting. Also, the style of the speakers is dark wooden, which goes well with all sorts of decors.
The ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers is extremely powerful so you must have a stereo that can safely control the energy. Also, the size of the bookshelf speakers is quite large so make sure you have a place to put them.
In summary, the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers is a great choice for people who don’t want a budget speaker, but don’t have the money to invest in a premium audio device. The speaker can produce excellent sounding audio, because it uses professionally tuned drivers. Also, the vocals sound pin point and the bass sounds thunderous no matter what genre you listen to thanks to the ultra-wide frequency range.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Weight: 16.31 Pounds |
| Frequency Response: 44 Hz – 35k Hz |
| Mountable: No |
| Warranty: N/A |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Ultra-wide frequency response |
| Black wooden design |
| 6 Ohms |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Must have a good stereo to connect the speaker to |
| Large design so make sure you have space to place them |
Best Budget Soundbar Under $2000
The under $2000 price category features the best bookshelf speakers the marketplace has to offer. These options feature premium drivers that have been tuned by professional sound engineers. The prices may be high in this category but if you have the money to invest then you won’t regret it as the quality in audio is incredible.
5. Top Pick: KEF LS50 Mini Monitor Bookshelf Speakers
Editor’s Rating: 5/5
The KEF LS50 Mini Monitor Bookshelf Speakers delivers excellent sounding audio thanks to its Uni-Q driver array, which makes the lows and highs sound remarkably accurate. The tweeter is located directly inside of the acoustic centre of the mid-range driver. This is to improve the musical experience and produce clearer beats.
In addition, the design of the bookshelf speaker is extremely good looking with a black and orange color scheme. The tweeter and mid-ranged driver are both colored orange and the rest of the speaker is piano black.
Moreover, the frequency range is ultra-wide being at 19 Hz – 28k Hz, which means the bookshelf speaker can produce lifelike beats as it can play more notes. Also, the speaker is extremely loud and can go up to a total of 106 dB.
This is one of the best bookshelf speakers in the market today, but it does come at a huge cost. So if you don’t have a big budget then consider some of the cheaper options on this list. Also, the speaker only comes in 4 different color schemes so the variety isn’t that big.
To summarize, the KEF LS50 Mini Monitor Bookshelf Speakers is an excellent audio device that comes with professionally tuned drivers. The audio output is excellent and when listening to music or watching movies the sounds are lifelike. Also, the frequency response is extremely wide at 19 Hz – 28k Hz.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Weight: 15.87 Pounds |
| Frequency Response: 19 Hz – 28k Hz |
| Mountable: No |
| Warranty: N/A |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Extremely loud at 106 dB |
| Audio sounds incredible |
| Uses Uni-Q drivers |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Only 4 different color schemes |
| Very expensive |
6. Best Value: ELAC Uni-fi UB5 Slim Bookshelf Speaker
Editor’s Rating: 5/5
The delicacy of a 1 inch soft dome tweeter and the harmonic accuracy of a rigid aluminum 4 inch mid-range cone come together in a symphony of sonic perfection. Using a wide frequency response the sound reproduction is brilliant and the audio sounds pin point. The drivers have been tuned professionally by Andrew Jones who is an expert in the industry.
Moreover, the speaker is made from aluminum, which is extremely durable and long lasting. An extended size magnet and vented pole piece increases power handling of the speaker so you get the most out of the audio.
The speaker uses a balanced three way design that offers many advantages in the design of the full range system. Also, when connecting the speaker to your stereo make sure to use thick power cables, because you don’t want to fry out your speaker drivers.
The bookshelf speakers can output excellent sounding audio, but it does come at a cost so make sure you have the money to invest in this setup. Also, you must have an amplifier or a stereo system to connect the speakers.
In summary, the ELAC Uni-fi UB5 Slim Bookshelf Speaker is an excellent choice because of the accurate sounding audio. The speaker uses a wide frequency range so it can produce the best sounding music. Also, the design of the bookshelf speakers is extremely good looking and you get to select from three different colors.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Weight: 35.8 Pounds |
| Frequency Response: 46 Hz – 25k Hz |
| Mountable: No |
| Warranty: N/A |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Three different color schemes to choose from |
| Sound is incredibly accurate |
| Tuned perfectly |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Not a budget option |
| Must have a stereo or amplifier to connect to |
7. Klipsch RP-160M Bookshelf Speaker
Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5
The Klipsch RP-160M Bookshelf Speaker uses a redesigned tractrix horn that improves high frequency response and extension while enhancing imaging and dynamics. Also, a linear travel suspension minimizes distortion for enhanced and detailed performance.
Moreover, the design of the bookshelf speaker is made to be extremely durable. The front grill protects the drivers inside and sometimes protects against accidental splashes. The style of the speaker is extremely nice with an orange and black design.
In addition, the speaker is extremely loud and can have a max output of 96 dB, plus the total power of the bookshelf speaker is 100w – 400w. The Klipsch RP-160M Bookshelf Speaker utilizes a wide frequency response of 45 Hz – 25k Hz, which helps the audio device produce great tunes.
Going with this speaker is a great choice, because it’s part of a speaker system. This means you can keep on adding more speakers to your home theater, but this will cost a pretty penny as this is not a budget speaker.
To summarize, the Klipsch RP-160M Bookshelf Speaker is one of the best options on this list, because it’s part of a speaker system so you can keep on investing when you have the money. The design of the speaker is stylish and well-built so dropping it or accidental splashes aren’t a huge problem. Also, the bookshelf speaker utilizes a wide frequency response so it can play beats a lot better than most speakers.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Weight: 20.9 Pounds |
| Frequency Response: 45 Hz – 25k Hz |
| Mountable: No |
| Warranty: N/A |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Part of a speaker system |
| Max power output of 400 watts |
| 96 dB sensitivity |
| The Cons |
|---|
| No Bluetooth option |
| Grill can be easily dented |
Contents
- Buying considerations
- Audio quality
- Brand
- Connectivity
- Practicality
- Items by price:
- Bookshelf Speakers Comparison Table
- Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $200
- 1. Best Budget: Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers
- 2. Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf Speakers
- Best Budget Soundbar Under $500
- 3. Audioengine A5+ Premium Powered Bookshelf Speakers
- 4. ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers
- Best Budget Soundbar Under $2000
- 5. Top Pick: KEF LS50 Mini Monitor Bookshelf Speakers
- 6. Best Value: ELAC Uni-fi UB5 Slim Bookshelf Speaker
- 7. Klipsch RP-160M Bookshelf Speaker