For many listeners, Bookshelf speakers (aka stand-up speakers) offer a typical audio experience, blending effective performance, value and convenience of cocktails. These pint-sized chunks play a key role in almost every corner of the audio spectrum and can be the answer to all your sound needs, from TV shows and movies to Spotify Streams and Vintage vinyl.
There are a large number of bookshelf speakers at different price points, so it is difficult to sift through the crowd. To help you make the right purchase, I have tested dozens of speakers in almost every setup or scenario An enthusiast colleague. Whether you are buying a budget to buy a lone amplifier, a pair to replace an aging soundbar, or something that takes you to the next Sonic Bliss plane, you will find the best bookshelf speakers below.
Be sure to read many of our other A/V guides, including The best TV,,,,, The best speakers,,,,, The best speakerand The best wireless headphones.
Updated April 2025: We have added Kanto Ren powered speakers and multiple new options to the Honors mention section.
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Before the bookshelf speakers before shopping
Photo: KEF
You will see a lot of terms and specifications when looking for the best bookshelf speakers. Here are a few things to know in advance, including the differences between active and passive speakers, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
What are active speakers or powered speakers?
Active speakers or power speakers do not require separate amplifiers or receivers to power them and make the sound audible. Instead, they have built-in amplification. These built-in amplifiers are often customized for their specific drivers and cabinets, which can bring performance. Modern-powered speakers often have other privileges, such as a fully wireless design (except for cables) and streaming from your phone via Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth. They usually provide physical connections to devices like CD players, turntables, subwoofers, and TVs.
What are passive speakers?
Passive speakers are just traditional wired speakers that require separate amplifiers or receivers and speaker cables for playback. This creates more steps as you need to find an amplifier with matching specifications (more below). The benefit is that passive speakers are more versatile and reliable, allowing you to mix and match them across multiple systems and configurations. Due to its more basic design, passive speakers that are properly handled can last for decades.
Knowledge about speaker impedance
The impedance associated with the speaker is the specification measured in ohms, which refers to the resistance of the speaker to current flow. Most passive speakers have a nominal impedance rating (essentially the average impedance) of 4, 6, or 8 ohms; the lower the quantity, the less resistance to current. You can think of it as a pipe: the wider the pipe, the less opposition to pressure, the more flow or current there will be.
As a result, speakers with 4 ohm nominal impedance are usually the hardest to drive because they require the greatest strength, although the impedance of each speaker varies according to the frequency at which it reappears. You’ll hear a lot about impedance in the enthusiast circle, but most good amplifiers and receivers can pair power from 4-ohm to 8-ohm speakers with proper wattage levels to match, so that’s not something to think about. When choosing the best amplifier for your needs, just make sure you meet the speaker’s impedance and power requirements. For 6 Ohm speakers, it is usually necessary to use the 4 Ohm power specifications of the amplifier (or available 6 Ohm), which are usually listed in the manual or website.
Power requirements and amplifier options
Passive speakers include specifications for their minimum and maximum power requirements, measured in watts. If you don’t get into the weeds of amplification type and power efficiency, a good rule of thumb is to choose an amplifier with wattage rating that matches the total power requirements of the speaker very well. At the very least, you need an amplifier to meet the speaker’s minimum power requirements for its nominal impedance rating (see above).
Some of our favorite stereo amplifiers we’ve tested include Cambridge Audio EVO 150 ($2,999) and Naim Uniti Atom ($3,799) at the high end; Yamaha’s R-N1000A ($1,800) for mid-range options; Outlaw Audio’s RR2160 MK II ($999) For those who make good sounds above the extra glitter; at the low end, NAD C 316 V2 ($399) and hyperconnection Wiim Amplifier and WIIM AMP PRO ($379)can be used in home audio settings. These are just some of the options to get you started.
Bonding Connection Options
Most modern amplifiers and many active/powered speakers offer multiple wired connections such as analog inputs (RCA or 3.5 mm), digital optical inputs for CD players or TVs, and subwoofer outputs for electric subwoofers. Many new systems increasingly offer HDMI TV connectivity, allowing you to control basics such as power and volume through your TV remote. They may also provide turntable phono input, although many Our favorite turntable With built-in phono preamp (or you can buy it Separate phono preamp as needed).
Wireless Connection Options
Almost all active/powered speakers, as well as many modern amplifiers, support Bluetooth. Wi-Fi connections are also becoming increasingly standardized, giving you access to services like Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Airplay, and Google Cast. Wi-Fi usually takes precedence over Bluetooth for convenience such as sound quality and uninterrupted streaming and extended wireless range.
There is a reason 2.1 speaker system has become a popular alternative to soundbars, especially for power speaker pairs that can be simply plugged in and played. Although some bookshelf speakers like KEF’s R3 META (And the price is higher Q Concerto Element) Do a great job of reaching lower frequencies, you still need a subwoofer to hit all Low-key and powerful. This is especially true for smaller speaker pairings like SVS Prime Wireless (such as SVS Prime Wireless).
Whether or not you need a sub might depend on your listening habits – if you are primarily a jazz cat, then the dual bass separate speakers sound like it will be fine. Still, almost every 2.0 system benefited from adding “.1” to some extent, from hip-hop to action movies. If you do get a subwoofer, it’s best to get a good product that matches the speakers, so check out the speaker brand you choose first. For example, I paired SVS Ultra Evolution and 3000 Micro ($899) With excellent results. I personally would rather listen to a good stereo setup alone than add a bad submarine, so it is worth investing in the bass box proportional to the rest of the system.
