The best bookshelf speakers are an ever-evolving medium within the audio/video ecosystem, and right now the KEF LS50 Wireless are the top option. A decade or two ago, they were predominantly passive speakers that needed great amplifiers behind the scenes to truly bring out the sound they were capable of. Today’s iterations are largely different, with the most popular selections being powered by drivers that don’t need an external amplifier to reproduce awesome sound.
Imitation is the best form of flattery, and naturally, a countless amount of bookshelf speaker options have emerged over the last few years. There are only a select few, however, that offer the simplicity of a powered speaker and the allure of great sound quality or excellent features. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled the best of the best, from an ultra high-end combination of craftsmanship and audio prowess to a no frills, sound quality-focused alternative.
Type: 2.0 | Drivers: Uni-Q Driver Array: LF: 130 mm (5.25 in.) aluminum cone; HF: 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminum dome with Metamaterial Absorption Technology | Power Output: LF: 280W; HF: 100W | Inputs: HDMI eARC, TOSLINK Optical, Digital Coaxial, Analog 3.5mm, Auxiliary, USB Type A | Outputs: RCA Subwoofer output | Size (Per Speaker): 12” x 7.9” x 12.2”
The KEF LS50 Wireless II are the pinnacle of what powered bookshelf speakers can be. The powerful, elegantly-designed pair of speakers each feature a mid-bass driver and tweeter driven by amplifiers built in-house by KEF to produce detailed, impactful sound regardless of what you throw their way. And that’s all before mentioning KEF’s Music Integrity Engine, which utilizes digital signal processing algorithms to place sound exactly where it is intended to be in your listening space.
It’s not just the hardware, though. The LS50 Wireless II come with their own dedicated KEF Connect App for controlling the speakers and adjusting settings as you see fit. In addition to featuring all sorts of physical inputs for connecting to your display of choice, the LS 50 Wireless II offer a wide variety of streaming options, such as Spotify Connect, Apple Airplay 2, TIDAL, Amazon Music, Deezer, Chromcast and more.
Now, make no mistake, the KEF LS50 Wireless II are not cheap in any sense of the word. But when you consider all the specs and features that come with these meticulously-crafted speakers, the hefty price tag becomes (a little) more understandable. Realistically, KEF is banking on the LS50 Wireless II being the last bookshelf speakers you ever buy. And, if you get to listen to what they have to offer, they may just be exactly that.
Type: 2.0 | Drivers: 4.5” high-excursion fiber composite cone woofers, 1” Titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | Power Output: 160W | Inputs: HDMI-ARC with CEC, Bluetooth wireless technology, Phono/line analog, 3.5mm analog mini jack, USB digital, Optical digital | Outputs: Single RCA line level output | Size (Per Speaker): 12” X 6.5” X 9.25”
Often billed as the ultimate soundbar killer, Klipsch’s The Fives are the closest you can get to the quality of the KEF’s without approaching the massive price tag of the aforementioned frontrunners. In similar fashion to the LS50 Wireless II, The Fives are engineered to produce big, cinematic sound thanks to a titanium dome tweeter and a long-throw woofer that make for a tantalizing tandem. They, too, have a dedicated app for controlling the speakers, as well as ample connections for pairing with your TV or even adding an external, powered subwoofer into the mix.
The Fives may not be the streaming juggernauts that the KEF LS 50 Wireless II proudly proclaim to be. What they are, though, is a powerful, cheaper alternative that is sure to instantly add exceptional sound to any setup. For many, they’re the sweet spot of high-end performance that won’t completely break the bank.
Type: 2.0 | Drivers: 1 19mm silk dome tweeter, 1 116mm woofer | Power Output: 66W | Inputs: HDMI-ARC with CEC, Bluetooth wireless technology, Phono/line analog, 3.5mm analog mini jack, USB digital, Optical digital | Outputs: Single RCA line level output | Size (Per Speaker): 6” X 9.75” X 8”
A significant step away from the high-powered likes of KEF and Klipsch, the Edifier R1700BT are best utilized as a pair of impressive Bluetooth speakers backed by quality sound. They technically have auxiliary inputs, but the speakers are better suited for music streaming or serving as computer speakers than they are as a two-channel setup for your TV. Nevertheless, the R1700BTs have built-in digital signal processing and dynamic range control to prevent distortion and produce clear, detailed sound.
Plus, for the aesthetic-minded, the R1700BT are draped in a classic walnut wood cabinet. For a pair of sub-$200 Bluetooth bookshelf speakers to both sound good and not have a distinctly cheap look is a rarity. Somehow, Edifier managed to pull it off. So, if you’re more into streaming music over Bluetooth for solid stereo sound, the R1700BT is an excellent option.
Type: Mono | Drivers: 1 mid-woofer, 1 tweeter | Power Output: 2 Class-D digital amplifiers | Inputs: N/A | Outputs: N/A | Size (Per Speaker): 6.36” x 4.69” x 4.69”
Sonos has been the modern day gold standard for music streaming from the moment it was unleashed onto the audio scene in 2005. Today, the quintessential Sonos value is the One. It’s one of the most cost effective ways to enter the expansive Sonos ecosystem. It offers the polished sound signature that customers have become accustomed to hearing from Sonos products. And, as is the calling card with any Sonos product, it puts millions of streaming songs at the tip of your fingers. Or, if you’d rather, at the sound of the wake word: “Alexa.”
You can pair two Sonos Ones together to act as a stereo pair for music listening. Or, if you have a full home theater setup, the Ones can transition to serve as rear speakers in a 5.1 system. The Sonos One boasts great sound, incredible ease of use, and a layer of flexibility that hasn’t been touched since it became a staple in streaming audio.
Type: 2.0 | Drivers: 4 tweeters (1 upward-firing, 2 side-firing, 1 forward-firing), 2 side-firing woofers | Power Output: 6 Class-D amplifiers | Inputs: N/A | Outputs: N/A | Size (Per Speaker): 160mm x 260mm x 185mm
Remember the Sonos One? Great! Now, take everything we said about that particular Sonos speaker, and add three-dimensional audio. That’s what you get with the Era 300, which features six drivers outfitted all around the cabinet of the speaker. Thanks to this, the Era 300 does an excellent job with Dolby Atmos Music, bouncing sound from wall to wall to completely immerse you in the content you’re consuming.
The Era 300 can serve as surround speakers for a system that includes the Sonos Arc, becoming the icing on the cake of a completely three-dimensional audio experience. Or, it can simply act as a revolutionary foundation for music streaming. Sonos lets you choose how to best utilize a speaker like the Era 300 for your space, making it a uniquely versatile product in today’s landscape.
Type: 2.0 | Drivers: 4” carbon fiber woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter | Power Output: 30W | Inputs: 3.5mm stereo mini jack, stereo RCA | Outputs: N/A | Size (Per Speaker): 9.5” x 5.8” x 6.5”
Don’t be fooled by their status on this list as “budget” bookshelf speakers. The Micca PB42Xs are a legitimate, worthwhile pair of speakers that adds good sound to your TV and can work as computer speakers. They aren’t the fanciest pair of speakers by any stretch. What they are, however, is a straightforward design equipped with a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter and a 4-inch carbon fiber woofer.
Of course, the PB42X aren’t wildly powerful like the Klipsch The Fives. Furthermore, they don’t offer a vast plethora of streaming options like KEF’s flagship bookshelves. Instead, the PB42X simplifies what it means to be a quality set of speakers, offering good sound in a compact design and not much else. For many, that will be just what they were looking for and absolutely worth the price of admission.
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TL;DR – The Best Bookshelf Speakers
Imitation is the best form of flattery, and naturally, a countless amount of bookshelf speaker options have emerged over the last few years. There are only a select few, however, that offer the simplicity of a powered speaker and the allure of great sound quality or excellent features. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled the best of the best, from an ultra high-end combination of craftsmanship and audio prowess to a no frills, sound quality-focused alternative.
1. KEF LS 50 Wireless II
The Best Bookshelf Speakers Overall
Type: 2.0 | Drivers: Uni-Q Driver Array: LF: 130 mm (5.25 in.) aluminum cone; HF: 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminum dome with Metamaterial Absorption Technology | Power Output: LF: 280W; HF: 100W | Inputs: HDMI eARC, TOSLINK Optical, Digital Coaxial, Analog 3.5mm, Auxiliary, USB Type A | Outputs: RCA Subwoofer output | Size (Per Speaker): 12” x 7.9” x 12.2”
The KEF LS50 Wireless II are the pinnacle of what powered bookshelf speakers can be. The powerful, elegantly-designed pair of speakers each feature a mid-bass driver and tweeter driven by amplifiers built in-house by KEF to produce detailed, impactful sound regardless of what you throw their way. And that’s all before mentioning KEF’s Music Integrity Engine, which utilizes digital signal processing algorithms to place sound exactly where it is intended to be in your listening space.
It’s not just the hardware, though. The LS50 Wireless II come with their own dedicated KEF Connect App for controlling the speakers and adjusting settings as you see fit. In addition to featuring all sorts of physical inputs for connecting to your display of choice, the LS 50 Wireless II offer a wide variety of streaming options, such as Spotify Connect, Apple Airplay 2, TIDAL, Amazon Music, Deezer, Chromcast and more.
Now, make no mistake, the KEF LS50 Wireless II are not cheap in any sense of the word. But when you consider all the specs and features that come with these meticulously-crafted speakers, the hefty price tag becomes (a little) more understandable. Realistically, KEF is banking on the LS50 Wireless II being the last bookshelf speakers you ever buy. And, if you get to listen to what they have to offer, they may just be exactly that.
2. Klipsch The Fives
The Best for the Value Bookshelf Speakers
Type: 2.0 | Drivers: 4.5” high-excursion fiber composite cone woofers, 1” Titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | Power Output: 160W | Inputs: HDMI-ARC with CEC, Bluetooth wireless technology, Phono/line analog, 3.5mm analog mini jack, USB digital, Optical digital | Outputs: Single RCA line level output | Size (Per Speaker): 12” X 6.5” X 9.25”
Often billed as the ultimate soundbar killer, Klipsch’s The Fives are the closest you can get to the quality of the KEF’s without approaching the massive price tag of the aforementioned frontrunners. In similar fashion to the LS50 Wireless II, The Fives are engineered to produce big, cinematic sound thanks to a titanium dome tweeter and a long-throw woofer that make for a tantalizing tandem. They, too, have a dedicated app for controlling the speakers, as well as ample connections for pairing with your TV or even adding an external, powered subwoofer into the mix.
The Fives may not be the streaming juggernauts that the KEF LS 50 Wireless II proudly proclaim to be. What they are, though, is a powerful, cheaper alternative that is sure to instantly add exceptional sound to any setup. For many, they’re the sweet spot of high-end performance that won’t completely break the bank.
3. Edifier R1700BT
The Best Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers
Type: 2.0 | Drivers: 1 19mm silk dome tweeter, 1 116mm woofer | Power Output: 66W | Inputs: HDMI-ARC with CEC, Bluetooth wireless technology, Phono/line analog, 3.5mm analog mini jack, USB digital, Optical digital | Outputs: Single RCA line level output | Size (Per Speaker): 6” X 9.75” X 8”
A significant step away from the high-powered likes of KEF and Klipsch, the Edifier R1700BT are best utilized as a pair of impressive Bluetooth speakers backed by quality sound. They technically have auxiliary inputs, but the speakers are better suited for music streaming or serving as computer speakers than they are as a two-channel setup for your TV. Nevertheless, the R1700BTs have built-in digital signal processing and dynamic range control to prevent distortion and produce clear, detailed sound.
Plus, for the aesthetic-minded, the R1700BT are draped in a classic walnut wood cabinet. For a pair of sub-$200 Bluetooth bookshelf speakers to both sound good and not have a distinctly cheap look is a rarity. Somehow, Edifier managed to pull it off. So, if you’re more into streaming music over Bluetooth for solid stereo sound, the R1700BT is an excellent option.
4. Sonos One
The Best Bookshelf Speakers for Streaming
Type: Mono | Drivers: 1 mid-woofer, 1 tweeter | Power Output: 2 Class-D digital amplifiers | Inputs: N/A | Outputs: N/A | Size (Per Speaker): 6.36” x 4.69” x 4.69”
Sonos has been the modern day gold standard for music streaming from the moment it was unleashed onto the audio scene in 2005. Today, the quintessential Sonos value is the One. It’s one of the most cost effective ways to enter the expansive Sonos ecosystem. It offers the polished sound signature that customers have become accustomed to hearing from Sonos products. And, as is the calling card with any Sonos product, it puts millions of streaming songs at the tip of your fingers. Or, if you’d rather, at the sound of the wake word: “Alexa.”
You can pair two Sonos Ones together to act as a stereo pair for music listening. Or, if you have a full home theater setup, the Ones can transition to serve as rear speakers in a 5.1 system. The Sonos One boasts great sound, incredible ease of use, and a layer of flexibility that hasn’t been touched since it became a staple in streaming audio.
5. Sonos Era 300
The Best Bookshelf Speakers for Dolby Atmos Music
Type: 2.0 | Drivers: 4 tweeters (1 upward-firing, 2 side-firing, 1 forward-firing), 2 side-firing woofers | Power Output: 6 Class-D amplifiers | Inputs: N/A | Outputs: N/A | Size (Per Speaker): 160mm x 260mm x 185mm
Remember the Sonos One? Great! Now, take everything we said about that particular Sonos speaker, and add three-dimensional audio. That’s what you get with the Era 300, which features six drivers outfitted all around the cabinet of the speaker. Thanks to this, the Era 300 does an excellent job with Dolby Atmos Music, bouncing sound from wall to wall to completely immerse you in the content you’re consuming.
The Era 300 can serve as surround speakers for a system that includes the Sonos Arc, becoming the icing on the cake of a completely three-dimensional audio experience. Or, it can simply act as a revolutionary foundation for music streaming. Sonos lets you choose how to best utilize a speaker like the Era 300 for your space, making it a uniquely versatile product in today’s landscape.
6. Micca PB42X
The Best Budget Bookshelf Speakers
Type: 2.0 | Drivers: 4” carbon fiber woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter | Power Output: 30W | Inputs: 3.5mm stereo mini jack, stereo RCA | Outputs: N/A | Size (Per Speaker): 9.5” x 5.8” x 6.5”
Don’t be fooled by their status on this list as “budget” bookshelf speakers. The Micca PB42Xs are a legitimate, worthwhile pair of speakers that adds good sound to your TV and can work as computer speakers. They aren’t the fanciest pair of speakers by any stretch. What they are, however, is a straightforward design equipped with a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter and a 4-inch carbon fiber woofer.
Of course, the PB42X aren’t wildly powerful like the Klipsch The Fives. Furthermore, they don’t offer a vast plethora of streaming options like KEF’s flagship bookshelves. Instead, the PB42X simplifies what it means to be a quality set of speakers, offering good sound in a compact design and not much else. For many, that will be just what they were looking for and absolutely worth the price of admission.
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