Whether your home audio setup is geared towards movies and TV or your focus is euphony ( vinyl or digital , it does n’t matter ) , having agreat set of speakersis paint .
And while you may feel the draw towards a honking set of tower speakers , we ’ve always had a soft spot for bookshelf speakers . They ’re more summary , auditory sensation fantastic , and are various as heck – you’re able to summate abooming subwooferfor huge sound or add them to a surround sound configuration , for the ultimate Dolby Atmos experience .
steel likeBowers & Wilkinsand Klipsch have been producing bookshelf speakers for decades , so you could bet your bottom dollar mark our listing includes a pair of bookshelf from both . But there ’s a bunch of other bookshelf speakers that deserve your attention , too , which is why we ’ve rounded up all our favourite bookshelf verbaliser options for 2025 here . Be sure to check back often to see what new speakers we ’ve added and which lay might be on sale !
Best overall passive bookshelf speakers
Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3
When it comes to audio royalty , Bowers & Wilkins is a brand name that deserve all the prestige it can get ( not that it ’s wanting for it ) . From its astonishing floor - standing loudspeaker system to its subs and satellites , B&W ’s dedication to quality and carrying into action always shines through . And as far as bookshelf loudspeaker system go , we ca n’t think of a better name to call our pet .
The overall soundstaging on the S3s is all-embracing and immersive . In execution , the B&W 607 S3s are well used as hi - fi speakers , but with a little finesse , they work on pretty well with mosthome theater setups , too . When it comes to medicine playback , we would be careful with musical style - matching , though . B&W loudspeaker system are stellar for jazz , classic , and vocally - driven singer - songwriter runway .
This is n’t to say you ca n’t headspring - bang to a little Metallica with them , but you may be a morsel disappointed by the 607 S3 ’s want of aggression — add a subwoofercan help with that . These are exquisite and refined bookshelf loudspeaker system that do quite a nice business at shinny a light on your music .
Best budget passive bookshelf speakers
Klipsch RP-600M II
What ’s any home theater / hi - fi roundup without a Klipsch entranceway ? If you ’re looking for an excellent hi - fi coupling to hear to your favorite music with , the RP-600 M II are a fantastic choice . The RP-600 M II extradite a plenteous stereo soundstage , complete with first-class highs and mids and even a good amount of thump . Should you determine to use them as home theater speakers , just a fiddling EQ calibrating is likely all you ’ll demand to get them in sync with whatever floor - standing speaker unit , subwoofer , etc . , you already own ( or are thinking of buying ) .
Thanks to Klipsch ’s Linear Travel Suspension ( LTS ) tweeters and Tractrix horns , a Klipsch staple , high frequencies are given limited treatment . And because the LTS figure is meant to foresee standing wave , too , the RP-600 M II are direct from the footing up to reduce deformation . There ’s even a Tractrix port on the back of each speaker unit to bump up the bass rescue . We ’re also beaming to see that Klipsch has implemented a 70 % larger articulation coil for both 6.5 - column inch drivers for improved sound timbre .
deliver up to 100W RMS and corroborate a frequency compass between 44 and 25,000Hz , the Klipsch RP-600 M II may not be the bookshelf speakers for everyone ( mostly when it comes to cosmetics ) , but Klipsch is n’t an audio marque to disappoint .
Best overall powered bookshelf speakers
Edifier S1000W Wireless Hi-Fi Bookshelf speakers
The Edifier S1000W is the type of speaker that house many amazing capabilities , but without being all in - your - cheek about it . Seemingly , this is just a beautiful yoke of powered bookshelf speakers that hap to sound great , too . What we really have on our hands though is an splendid set of wireless hi - fi loudspeaker that are ramp up to tackle whatever audio sources you have in mind .
In terms of connectivity alternative , the usual defendant are all here , include Wi - Fi , Bluetooth , digital optic , coaxial , and analog RCA . But when you consider the fact that the S1000W supports 24 - bit/192kHz playback , the $ 550 price becomes quite the buy . Being able to listen to lossless recordings is a privilege normally reserved for a astral pair of headphones ( that may be as much as the S1000W ) , which makes the S1000W even more appealing .
We ’re also big buff of the Alexa integration . have a bunch of Echo speakers scattered around your home plate can depart to make one manic , so the fact that the S1000W has its own far - theatre mic system is a bit of a blessing . This means you ’ll be able to enjoy the full benefits of your Alexa ecosystem , without add another Echo Dot to your livelihood elbow room .
While the add-on of an LFE output would sweeten the pile even further , we ca n’t fault Edifier for not wanting to infix the extra signal path . Plus , the fellowship is cool enough to give you access to the Edifier Home app ( foriOSandAndroid ) , which you’re able to use to pour tunes via AirPlay , Spotify Connect , and Tidal . The upright part ? There ’s no paywall to have to break through .
Best powered bookshelf speakers for turntables
Kanto YU6 powered speakers
Hi - fi listening is especially square when you ’ve got the right speakers go with theright record player or turntable . Finding this ideal match-up can be unmanageable though , which is why we ’re beaming that the talented idea at Kanto have developed the YU6 model . At first glance , these search like just about every other pair of affordable bookshelf speakers out there , but the YU6 house an entire hub of inputs and outputs . Oh , and foreman amongst these ports is the gruelling - to - find built - in phono preamp for wiring up your record instrumentalist , whihc is one of the many reasonableness we recommend the YU6 for those who may be pickingup a unexampled turntablefor the firt time .
The phono preamp means you’re able to interface your lazy Susan directly with the Kanto YU6 bookshelf speaker system , even if the turntable doesn’y have it ’s own built - in preamp , so no worrying about integrating a separateamplifier or receiver . dB production maxes out at 200 Watt and hovers around 100 watt RMS for the average - listening volume , which means these pup can get plenty brassy for whatever listening blank you call for to satiate . We can also thank the YU6 ’s 5.25 - inch Kevlar machine driver , 1 - inch silk dome tweeter , and handcrafted MDF cabinetry for giving these loudspeaker system extra power and personality .
Even if you do n’t plan on hook upa turntable , the Kanto YU6 are also a phenomenal set of bookshelf speakers for Bluetooth . Once mate to your earpiece , tab , or computing gadget , the YU6 ’s Qualcomm aptX support guarantee some implausibly detailed strait when streaming music from platforms like Apple Music , Tidal , andQobuz .
While we do wish there was a companion app to go along with these speaker , the included remote control does have you adjust shade , balance , volume , and playback . The YU6 also come in several unlike finishes ( bamboo , walnut , and white ) , so you ’ll be capable to snag a brace that best matches your LP lair as youbuild your track record collectionto respectable summit .
Best for Bluetooth connectivity
Q Acoustics M20 HD Wireless Music System
Computer speaker unit are a dime a dozen , and the reality is that not many of these products are very well . Sure , for as little as $ 20 or $ 30 , who would n’t desire to place in a couple of desktop monitors that say they vocalise big on the box ? But if you ’re the case of person who care about your PC audio , you should get comfortable with the idea of spending just a little more . And if you really like about your desktop phone , you ’ll buy the Q Acoustics M20 .
Yup , they ’re going to run you $ 500 after taxation , but bear with us here . These powered bookshelf talker are incredibly various . One tone at the back of these will divulge a host of analog and digital interface , but you may also love your music wirelessly , thanks to the M20 ’s Bluetooth 5.0 support . Now throwaptX Bluetooth(with aptX , aptX HD , aptX Low Latency living ) andhi - res medicine streamingsupport on top of it , and you ’ve got yourself one handsome verbalizer sundae .
With its two Class D amps per verbaliser and first-class cabinet bracing , these are credibly well suited for those of us who want a solid set of PC gaming Speaker , or even an alternative set of studio apartment monitors for working with medicine - editing software . This is n’t to say that watching YouTube videos on your MacBook with the M20 wo n’t be awing ; they just may be a bit overqualified for sluttish media .
One or two grievance : We do n’t manage for the remote , and we wish the speakers could be connected to Wi - Fi . Neither of these squeamishness are deal - breakage , but the accountant is about as plain as they come , and for $ 500 , we ’d wish more than just Bluetooth for wireless well out options .
Best powered desktop reference speakers
Kanto Audio Ora
charge the Kanto Oras at the top of the raft of little , but mighty desktop speakers . Canadian loudspeaker system brand Kanto Audio has been crank out excellent sounding , compendious , and connectivity - racy speakers for some prison term now , and it has so far been having a banner class in footing ofnew speaker unit releases .
Released late last year , the Kanto Oras are diminutive reference speakers that fit discreetly on any background , tucked off behind a reminder . But as the name read they ’re " reference " speakers , which signify that they ’re specifically tuned with a flat and accurate frequency reaction so the auditory sensation you get is exactly as it was recorded . This makes them double-dyed for speech sound or picture editors . But , as we learn in our review , they also go fantastic .
Clean , crisp mids and highs is what you get with the Kanto Ora , as well as a nicely balanced low closing . But if you really want to have your hair blown back , strain bring a subwoofer . Our reader did , and was thoroughly impressed with the room - fulfil rumble repel by their 100 - W Class D amplification .
At $ 350 , they ’re not the cheapest little speakers , but the speech sound they produce will make you forgive that , quickly . Inputs let in RCA pedigree - in ( for lazy Susan with a built - in phono preamp or anexternal preamp ) , USB - vitamin C up to of delivering up to 16 - bit/48kHz CD - quality playback , and Bluetooth ( only SBC and AAC , sadly ) .
Best Wi-Fi bookshelf speakers
Sonos Era 100
Wi - Fi music streaming is a next - level experience . And when it come to Wi - Fi - equip bookshelf speakers , Sonos is one of the top namesin the game . About as visceral as plug - and - play mental process gets , theSonos Era 100is the company ’s next - gen version of itsSonos One loudspeaker , and they ’re everything we could want from the brand ’s belated and superlative .
deliberate the Era 100 ’s woofer is 25 % larger than the Sonos One ’s , we expected some fairly big sound from the speaker , but in our examination of the Cartesian product , we were utterly blown away by its decibel delivery . Listeners can expect well - balance mids , crystalline ternary , and punchy low - destruction operation . Sure , there ’s some torture at passing high volumes , but consider how much reach the Era is capable of at only 60 % or 70 % volume , we doubt you ’ll need to crank up it past 11 ( if you know , you know ) .
Like Sonos loudspeaker of years past , the iOS - well-disposed TruePlay feature is here , but with a new twist for Android devotees . Thanks to some improvements to the standardisation tool , Android twist owners can now use the Era ’s work up - in mic to calibrate sound recording to a listening space . Technically though , this is the “ agile ” edition of the function though , and the more advanced variation of TruePlay is still an iOS sole . We ’ve also get a helpful roundup onhow to place and position any Sonos loudspeaker , admit the Era 100s , anywhere in your menage .
On top of Wi - Fi connectivity , the Era 100 also supports Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay . You ’ll also be able to control the speaker using both the Sonos S2 app ( iOSandAndroid ) and Alexa . Due to an on-going dispute between Sonos and Google though , you wo n’t be able to interact with the speaker unit using Google Assistant .
Best bookshelf speakers for dynamic high-end
Wharfedale EVO4.2 bookshelf speakers
It ’s severe to beat the ultra - smooth frequency response that a well - placed ribbon tweeter delivers . While this engineering is slenderly implemented in the greater humanity of bookshelf speakers , companies like Wharfedale really push typewriter ribbon tweeters to their limit , with its Air Motion Transformer ( AMT ) technology that the compzny say more expeditiously locomote aura and " achieves low torture and extradite exceptional melodic item without being “ bright , ” harsh , and fatiguing . "
The Wharfedale EVO4.2 Bookshelf Speakers are a brilliant model of ribbon in play , and they have a pristine - looking appearance , too ( especially if you choose for the Walnut finish , though they ’re also available in Black Oak and White Oak ) .
These verbalizer are n’t just neat for vocals and wood , either . Thanks to Wharfedale ’s three - style purpose , which adds a two - inch midrange number one wood and a 6.5 - inch woven Kevlar woofer below the tweeter , the EVO4.2 are able-bodied to compensate a broad relative frequency spectrum , making the loudspeaker an idealistic selection for a hi - fi stereo apparatus . They ’re also an excellent fit for a plate theatre of operations , though we ’d recommend using them as your front left - correct channels to best take advantage of the ribbon tweeter .
stomach nearly 18 - in tall and measuring 13.4 inches from front to back , the Wharfedale EVO4.2 are on the larger side when it comes to bookshelf speaker unit , and there are no key holes on either speaker ’s caparison , so these have to go tabletop or stand - mounted .
