When setting up your home audio system, you've got to have that one essential item to complete it - bookshelf speakers! They deliver solid stereo sound in a compact size for the best listening experience. Coming with various designs, they could also match your furniture style and make the room look even better.
They sound best when used for a small to a medium-sized room and placed on a shelf, table, wall-mount, and other elevated surfaces. So, to make everything easier for you, we've provided a buying guide reviewed by sound engineer Jojo Ariola and a list of the best bookshelf speakers that you can buy online to get you to start grooving right away.
Quick List - Top Bookshelf Speakers
Pioneer
The Perfect Bookshelf Speakers to Enjoy Music at Home
Jojo Ariola has been working as a front-of-house live sound engineer for almost 20 years. He also has trained several students regarding the field. He has worked with famous local bands, and he has also worked as a DJ in bars and clubs around the metro. He is the audio engineer for music videos of artists like Miguel Escueta and Leanne & Naara. Lastly, he is also a vendor of sound and lights system rentals.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Active speakers have a built-in amplifier in them. They give you control over the sound quality as they have buttons and knobs for sound adjustments such as volume, mid, bass, treble, and more. They tend to weigh heavier than passive ones as they contain more hardware inside their cabinet.
They usually come in one piece, but there are also paired active bookshelf speakers if you need one for heavy-duty purposes. On the other hand, passive bookshelf speakers are the complete opposite of active ones as they don't have any buttons or knobs, so you have no control over the sound unless you have a receiver.
The good thing about them is that you won't have to buy another bookshelf speaker when you want to upgrade your amplifier. So, they're recommended if you already have an amplifier at your home, as you'll only need an output device.
You don't have to be a sound geek to get the perfect bookshelf speakers for you. To immerse yourself in music with excellent sound quality, here are the few main things that you should dig into:
Some people don't seem to pay attention to their bookshelf speaker's impedance measurement. It's actually important to look into as it plays a huge role in providing crystal clear sound quality.
Take note that the lower the impedance, the better it will sound as it allows the electric signal or the music to pass through the speaker easily. It's recommended to get one with 4 to 8 ohms, and remember not to get one with 16 ohms and above. An impedance that's too high can damage your amplifier's output tubes.
The sensitivity tells you how loud your bookshelf speakers can be. It converts the power into the actual sound so, the more power they require, the louder they perform.
The average sensitivity of speakers plays around 84 to 88 decibels. However, if you need it for high performance and heavy-duty purposes, it is recommended that you get one with 94 decibels and above.
Frequency response is the measure of audible frequencies or tones that a component can reproduce. 20-20kHz frequency response is a good indication that your purchase will be worth it as it indicates that the speakers can perform all the low, middle, and high tones correctly.
There are two types of bookshelf speakers: Wired and Wireless. Choosing one should depend on the activities that you do daily to optimize their service and purpose.
Wired bookshelf speakers require an aux cable to connect your device to them. Also, they are usually connected to a receiver, which is the amplifier. That means that you'll be able to control their sound quality. They are perfect to be in places where you often stay, such as your office, studio, or bedroom.
These involve wire management, so look out for some tips and tricks on how to organize wires to prevent your table or shelf from looking messy. Another thing to keep in mind is to place it near the power outlet as it needs the power to operate.
To play music using wireless bookshelf speakers, you must connect a device via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. They are usually rechargeable, but many models in the market allow you to plug them in a power outlet when you don't want to use their battery. Also, some models have an aux and headphone input. That leaves the choice to you whether to use them wirelessly or not.
The good thing about them is that you don't have to connect and disconnect wires when you want to take them anywhere in your home or even outdoor as they are very portable. However, keep in mind that you might experience some signal interruption when you take your smartphone far from them.
Even if bookshelf speakers come in small sizes, you should still consider the available space on your table, shelf, or cabinet as the objects around them can affect their sound quality. Small-sized bookshelf speakers are usually 10 inches tall and 5 to 6 inches wide.
On the other hand, large-sized bookshelf speakers are not that large as they're only around 13 inches tall and 6 to 7 inches wide. Another thing you should consider is your furniture's style. It prevents the room from looking awkward and stuffy as their design will match and blend well with each other.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bose Bookshelf Speaker | ![]() | Versatile Bookshelf Speakers for Your Living Room | |
2 | Polk Audio Signature Series S10|S10 | ![]() | Small Classic Bookshelf Speakers Packed With Great Features | |
3 | Pioneer Black Compact Bookshelf Speakers|DM-40 | ![]() | The Perfect Bookshelf Speakers to Enjoy Music at Home | |
4 | PreSonus Eris 4.5 Bookshelf Speakers | ![]() | Bookshelf Speakers Designed by Musicians for Musicians | |
5 | Edifier Wireless Bookshelf Speaker|R1700BT | ![]() | Level Up Your Room’s Style With High Performance Wooden Bookshelf Speakers | |
6 | Pioneer White Active Speaker|S-DJ50X | ![]() | An Aspiring DJ and Producer's Music Companion | |
7 | Polk Bookshelf Speaker|T15 | ![]() | Immerse Yourself in the Best Home Theater Experience With the Perfect Bookshelf Speakers | |
8 | Konzert Active Bookshelf Speaker|KS-55A+ | ![]() | Affordable Bookshelf Speakers for Your Home Karaoke Setup | |
9 | Edifier Wood Bookshelf Speaker | ![]() | Fill Your Study Room or Library With Soothing Music | |
10 | Woshitu High-Performance Bookshelf Speaker|S98 | ![]() | Portable Bookshelf Speaker Perfect for Any Spot |
If you're looking for bookshelf speakers for your living room, this one from Bose might get your interest the moment you lay your eyes on it, especially when you know more about its specs and features. They're made with a clean body design with a matte black finish. They're also designed horizontally, which makes them unique from the other models.
These bookshelf speakers will indeed enhance your living room's design, especially if it's modern-styled. These speakers boast its Direct/Reflecting speaker technology, which lets you hear and feel as if you're in a concert, listening to live music.
The Bose technology allows you to enjoy the sound throughout the whole area without the need to find the living room's sweet spot as it produces balanced stereo sound. The most common damage of speakers is overdriven drivers, but with automatic protection circuitry, you don't have to worry about it even if you use them in full volume.
Polk's Audio Signature Series S10 might be the smallest wired bookshelf speakers on our list but they are big on great features! They are great partners for your daily sound trip at home.
They have a dynamic balance acoustic array paired with a non-resonant cabinet design resulting in smooth overall sound output. The polypropylene mid-range driver and the terylene dome tweeter work as the best tandem to a crystal-clear produce crystal clear instrument and vocal sounds.
Other speakers' bass can create annoying surface vibrations, but thanks to the Polk power port deep bass technology, you can now listen to music with heavy and deep bass peacefully. Also, if you don't have a space on your desk, you can easily mount them on the wall using their built-in threaded screw insert and keyhole slots.
Pioneer is one of the most trusted brands in the world of sounds. To give you the best listening experience, it comes with a two-way bass-reflex that increases output volume and improves bass response. Also, it has soft dome tweeters that audiophiles usually prefer as they reduce distortion.
They are the best option to complete your home audio set-up as they're designed with DECO Technology, which widens the range of produced sounds for large rooms and spots. They also have a front-loaded bass reflex that allows them to produce rich and tight bass for a clean and clear audio quality.
Are you a musician searching for the best bookshelf speakers for your studio? If yes, then these are perfect for you as they are designed by professional musicians. These bookshelf speakers sing nothing but the truth, so these are good to use if you're producing tracks and mixes as they deliver a smooth and accurate frequency response.
They're equipped with silk dome tweeters that produce refined sounds. You can adjust and customize audio quality with easy-to-use acoustic tuning controls. It has flexible input options, and they support Bluetooth connections, so you can also use them wirelessly. This bookshelf speaker's unique feature is its three-position acoustic space switch which helps maintain a good bass boost wherever it's placed.
Made with a classic wood finish, these bookshelf speakers will indeed complement any of your home decors. Aside from the design, they also have amazing features that will make your purchase worth its price. They can play clean and undistorted music at all volume levels. Their bass, treble, and mid-tones are perfectly balanced, but you can still adjust them with the built-in tone control.
Depending on your preference, you can use them wired via two aux inputs or wirelessly via Bluetooth connection. Additionally, they also come with a remote control, allowing you to adjust their volume, mute or unmute and switch input resources at the comfort of your couch.
When it comes to mixing, you must hear every detail in your track, especially if you're just starting to learn the basics. To achieve that, you'll need capable DJ bookshelf speakers in your studio. This single active bookshelf speaker from Pioneer will let you dive and explore the world of sounds.
Its built-in EQ controls and class AB bi-amp give you the flexibility to tailor the audio output to your listening preference. The high force magnet and the chimney-shaped heat sink help prevent resonance and unwanted sounds as they improve airflow so that sound waves can pass smoothly to its driver.
This speaker's unique feature is its auto standby mode, which automatically shuts down itself when not used.
One of the best quarantine activities is a movie marathon with the whole family. Perhaps it's time to level up your home theater with these bookshelf speakers from Polk. Their dynamic balance drivers produce clean and clear sound satisfactorily. These can fill a small to medium sized-room with their immersive surround sound.
Many buyers say that this is a purchase you will not regret as there is a huge difference between them from a built-in television speaker, and you'll see the big transition when you switch to them. These are the best bookshelf speakers for a low-cost surround sound system. Also, they have keyhole slots for wall mounting for easy set-up.
Looking for affordable speakers for your home karaoke setup? Consider your search done as these bookshelf speakers by Konzert are the best partners for your daily sing-along activity. With these, you can practice and improve your vocal skills as you'll hear your voice very well because of their full-range stereo sound feature.
You'll also experience a good sound quality output as they have a deep bass sound system. They come with aux cables, but you can also use them wirelessly via a Bluetooth connection. The LED light indicator tells you that you're connected to a device. They're not only excellent for karaoke but they're also great for watching movies and concerts at home!
These bookshelf speakers are another model from Edifier, but these are more entry-level speakers compared to the higher-ranked model. Still, the sound quality they bring is excellent.
They're made with a resonance-resistant feature that helps avoid producing vibration as they operate. Also, they have smooth dome tweeters that deliver smooth and balanced tones.
These are perfect to put in your office, study room, or library as they are best used for smooth and relaxing music. The golden bass drivers add extra style to their beautiful color so, they will definitely complement your desk or shelves.
Woshitu's High-Performance Bookshelf Speaker is your best bet if you prefer a mini bookshelf speaker. One of the perks of getting this is that you can take it anywhere with you inside your home and let it sit on an elevated surface. Then, let yourself immerse in its surround sound feeling.
This is best placed for your study table or desktop table. However, note that it is sold per piece, so you'll need to buy it in pair and connect both of them to your device for the best experience. It has a 4.2 Bluetooth connection compatible with any device.
The translucent light on its volume knob adds style to its design. It also has a built-in battery that allows you to use it for six to eight hours. The non-slip feet keep it stable in its place and help prevent vibration. Also, you can choose between its two designs: Wood or Bamboo body.
Sometimes, you have to stop thinking about everything to lose some stress. Turn up the music and forget about the whole world with these items that could help you have your music therapy! Read our other articles below for more amazing products.
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Bose|Bookshelf Speaker
No. 2: Polk|Audio Signature Series S10|S10
No. 3: Pioneer|Black Compact Bookshelf Speakers|DM-40
No. 4: PreSonus|Eris 4.5 Bookshelf Speakers
No. 5: Edifier|Wireless Bookshelf Speaker|R1700BT
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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