Television is better than ever, which means now is the best time to stay in and watch the latest drama, comedy, and documentary that’s streaming or available on cable. Thanks to shows like Game of Thrones, TV shows are being made to look and sound like big-budget movies, which means the speakers on your TV or laptop aren’t going to cut it any longer. You need bookshelf speakers.
Bookshelf speakers are the ideal accompaniment to any home entertainment system because their small size makes them easy to place in different areas of a room to obtain the best acoustic experience. Thanks to Bluetooth connectivity and Aux inputs, bookshelf speakers can also be used to bring your favorite albums to life, whether you’re streaming directly from your phone or you’re working on growing a collection of records.
Affordable and easy to use, the bookshelf speakers we’ve included on our list can be used both on their own and in addition to subwoofers and tower speakers to create an even larger sonic experience for big spaces. Check out our three favorite bookshelf speakers below and get ready to turn your system up to 11.
1. Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers
Control your audio from anywhere thanks to the Bluetooth connectivity of the Edifier R1700BT Bookshelf Speakers, which turn your phone, tablet, or laptop into a remote, with the speakers compatible with iOS, Mac, Android and Windows. Delivering a rich sound between -6db to +6db for both bass and treble, the Edifiers are made with Dynamic Range Control (DRC) that will prevent distortion. The two speakers come with two Aux inputs which make it easy to connect two devices at once without having to switch wires. A remote control is also included.
Pros: The Edifier speakers are powerful enough to deliver booming bass even without an additional subwoofer thanks to each speaker’s 9mm dome tweeter and a 4-inch bass driver.
Cons: The Edifier speakers are the most expensive option on our list.
2. Polk Audio T15 100 Watt Home Theater Bookshelf Speakers
Get booming bass even at low frequencies with the Polk Audio T15 100 Watt Home Theater Bookshelf Speakers, which are built with 0.75-inch tweeters and 5.25-inch Dynamic Balance Drivers in each speaker. Suitable for use as a front, left and right, and rear speakers, the Polk speakers deliver precise audio for small to medium-sized rooms.
Pros: The Polk T15 are a more affordable alternative to Polk’s high quality and expensive home audio speakers and can be used with most home theater receivers, processors and stereos.
Cons: Polk also sells Tower Speakers and a subwoofer separately in the T15 series that are meant to accompany the Bookshelf Speakers to deliver the optimal audio experience, although they can be paired with most speakers outside of the Polk brand.
3. Acoustic Audio AA321B Mountable Indoor Speakers
If you’re looking for affordable speakers for a small space that still deliver high quality audio, we recommend the Acoustic Audio AA321B Mountable Indoor Speakers. The lightweight and compact speakers boast a frequency response of 150hz-20 kHz with an 88dB efficiency. Made durable with heavy duty ABS construction sealed cabinets, the speakers can be used in any room in the home, even the bathroom and kitchen.
Pros: The Acoustic Audio speakers can be placed on a bookshelf or table and come with all the hardware needed for wall mounting.
Cons: The Acoustic Audio don’t have the same sound quality as the first two speakers on our list.