If you're a music lover, a video game enthusiast, a lover of watching movies, or simply appreciate good sound quality, you know the value of good bookshelf speakers.
Bookshelf speakers are a must if you're looking to enhance your listening experience.
Most people usually stumble upon sound bars, woofers, or smart speakers when browsing for speakers. They miss out on the benefits of bookshelf speakers that deliver far better performance and last more years than the other types.
When it's finally time to make that purchase, you need a speaker that gives a classic look from the outside while being excellent in terms of audio quality, surround sound, noise-free audio, and the quality of bass it produces. We look for all this while trying to be pocket or budget-friendly. We have compiled a list of the best bookshelf speakers under $200 that tick all the above.
If you're looking for speakers with an average space capacity, you should go for bookshelf speakers. These speakers will occupy less space than tower speakers and fit perfectly in small to medium-sized rooms. They produce the perfect sound for their size. Some people may prefer more bass than what bookshelf speakers deliver. If you are one of them, you can add a subwoofer.
Bookshelf speakers are also perfect for home theater situations, fitting perfectly on either side of your screen. However, to make the most of these experiences, audio performance or sound performance with a good audio setup, Bluetooth connection, and dynamic range control are the key elements.
Hence, there is a lot that goes into picking a bookshelf speaker. So, after we review our top seven picks, we'll see how to select the best bookshelf speaker for under $200.
How We Chose the Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $200
You can expect to buy good bookshelf speakers in the $40 -$199 range. So, we took this budget and divided it into three segments. At the lowest end, we looked for the most conveniently built bookshelf speakers that fit perfectly in small to mid-sized rooms with decent sound quality, volume, and sensitivity. These speakers cost between $20 - $70. In the mid-budget range, we looked for bookshelf speakers that were slightly bigger and gave a better performance in terms of the three key elements (high-quality audio, volume, and sensitivity). These would cost you between $70 - $140. Last, we looked for the best bookshelf speakers under $200, which perform exceptionally well and are great if you're looking for a home theater system. These would cost between $140 - $200.
We could narrow down the bookshelf speakers by keeping the customer review in mind. We selected the most trusted ones by the users and had an overall good rating. Finally, we were left with seven bookshelf speakers, which we will now review.
1. Sony 3-Way, 3-Driver Bookshelf Speakers
Why We Love It
Sony speakers are one of the best surround sound speakers. This premium-quality audio system is designed to deliver exceptional sound quality, whether you're watching your favorite movie or streaming your favorite tunes. The 0.98 in the soft dome main tweeter features polyester fiber, which will give a more faithful, authentic sound, while the 5.12 in MRC woofer provides a dynamic bass response. The 0.75 in super-tweeter rounds out the sound, delivering clear highs and detailed sounds across the entire frequency range.
A ported, all-wood enclosure further contributes to their amazing audio quality, allowing for maximum acoustic resonance.
From lively soundtracks to pulsing dubstep beats, this speaker system has the power and versatility you need for all types of music. With its sturdy build and impressive sound capabilities, Sony speakers are sure to take your listening pleasure to the next level!
What You Should Know
Despite boasting a premium price tag, Sony speakers have had their fair share of criticism from some customers. But if you're willing to take the plunge, there's no reason why you shouldn't experience great sound!
2. Micca RB42 Bookshelf Speaker
Why We Love It
Micca's 4-inch woofer is built on a truncated heavy steel frame and substantial magnet structure, making it perfect for your sturdy audio needs. Its long-throw design incorporates a coated pressed paper cone with a concave dust cap, large radius rubber surround, and vented pole piece, ensuring remarkable sound quality.
The tweeter is based on Micca's popular 0.75-inch silk dome design, using a high-efficiency neodymium magnet and a form-cut bezel for tight driver spacing.
This speaker uses high-grade film capacitors and air core coils in its crossover, resulting in better power handling and reduced lobing. Plus, the 18dB/octave slope enhances off-axis performance.
What You Should Know
Although this speaker can be a great addition to your setup, you'll have to look elsewhere if you're looking for an extra boost of sound with two speakers. Unless you plan on buying this speaker twice, you'll only get one speaker in the purchase.
3. Edifier Bookshelf Speakers
Why We Love It
Edifier Bookshelf Speakers is one of the best-powered bookshelf speakers under $200 and almost under $100! It also doesn't hurt that the classic wood finish construction complements any home décor.
Edifier has natural sound reproduction from 13mm silk dome tweeters and 4-inch full-range units, so you'll be able to enjoy your favorite music exactly how it was meant to be heard.
The remote control allows you to adjust the volume at your figure tips, and the bass and treble controls are located on the side of the main speaker.
Edifier lets you connect to any device with a 3.5mm headphone output or dual RCA output. Plus, you can connect to two devices simultaneously- no plugging and switching needed.
What You Should Know
Edifier, a trusted name in high-quality audio, offers a two-year product warranty! That's right; you can enjoy your Edifier product for years to come without having to worry about any parts or labor. This is excellent news because, unfortunately, some consumers have experienced issues soon after their purchase.
4. Polk Audio T15 Theater Bookshelf Speakers
Why We Love It
The Polk Audio T15 comes with a 5.25-inch dynamic balance driver and a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, providing immersive surround sound and a superior home theater experience. These speakers are designed to produce a natural, well-balanced, and bass-rich sound.
The system has a furniture-grade, acoustically-inert MDF cabinet construction that reduces distortion and resonance while ensuring high-quality sound. It is really easy and straightforward to set up the T15 since it produces a wide dispersion sound. You can place it anywhere and feel no difference at all.
It provides an array of secure wire-hookup options with its five-way binding posts, and its design allows it to work with most home theater processors, stereos, and home theater receivers.
What You Should Know
You might feel that the balance between the mid-driver, tweeter, and woofer is slightly off. It would have been great if it had an adjustment option, enabling more balance. Also, in a few rare cases, some customers have complained that the pair might be slightly overpriced in light of what it has to offer.
5. Klipsch R-14M Bookshelf Speakers
Why We Love It
Klipsch is one of the best surround sound systems for your room under $200. The reference R-14 M bookshelf speaker comes with versatility and power. Even for its tiny size, it packs a mean punch, and delivers exceptional performance as a right, left, center, or surround.
A 90x90 tractrix horn technology mated with an aluminum tweeter delivers powerful dynamics, enhanced imaging, greater extension, and an impressive high-end response while ensuring a clean and natural sound.
These speakers come with injection molded graphite woofers that are extremally rigid, light, and ensure minimal distortion. These woofers also have an impressive low-frequency response.
It also provides great connection flexibility because of its 5-way binding post and features a rear-firing port that matches perfectly with the drivers and cabinet. The Klipsch reference bookshelf speakers will cost you around $99, which is more than just good value for money.
What You Should Know
Despite producing pretty high volume, especially for its size, it won't deliver great bass. If you're an audiophile, you would almost immediately feel the need to add a subwoofer to the system.
6. House of Marley Get Together Duo Bookshelf Speakers
Why We Love It
The House of Marley Get Together Duo Bookshelf Speakers is an iconic set of active speakers. With a main-powered left speaker and a right portable speaker, this active speaker features a playtime of up to 20 hours. These powerful yet compact speakers will fit perfectly on your bookshelf, desk, or console. Not only will it deliver full-range crisp sound, but it also comes with Bluetooth connectivity and a convenient USB-C charging port.
However, its sustainability and fine craftsmanship make this pair stand out. Delivered in 100% recyclable packaging, these speakers are crafted with recyclable aluminum, regrind silicone, rewind fabric, and natural bamboo.
What You Should Know
Some customers complain that the Bluetooth connection might be weaker than expected, as it has disconnected from devices on slightly farther ranges. Some people have also complained that it drains the phone battery a little.
7. Acoustic Audio Bookshelf Speakers
Why We Love It
The Acoustic Audio Bookshelf Speakers are the best budget speakers. They have a booming full-range woofer, and the Acoustic Audio is surrounded by butyl rubber for protection. This system has a sleek and stylish look and has sealed cabinets constructed with heavy-duty ABS ensuring durability.
For being budget bookshelf speakers, these small speakers have a sophisticated touch to them and will suffice to be your surround sound system. They come with quick-release spring-loaded wire terminals, which put the hassle of connecting to an already established surround system out of the equation. You can also ensure clean and accurate sound even if you tuck them into high-up places or tight corners.
The system comes with a swivel attachment and four wall screws, which means you can also place it on your wall in any location you may like, and while it is at your favorite location, you can move the speakers according to your liking to direct the sound where ever you'd like to.
What You Should Know
Compared to other speakers, this pair has barely any bass. This means your subwoofer will have to pull its weight while you also have to make sure your crossover frequency is set right.
You might also feel that the mount is unmanageable as it's a ball joint without tension, because of which the speaker's rest is angled by gravity.
How To Choose The Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $200
There are countless bookshelf speakers in the market. So, it is essential to know the basics to narrow down your options.
Wired or Wireless
One of the most important elements to consider when picking the bookshelf speaker of your choice is whether it should be wired or wireless. This is important because it affects sound quality as well as convenience.
A pair of wired speakers will use a speaker wire to be connected to a stereo amp, providing the power to play it. A pair of wireless speakers won't need any wire to connect to anything (except for the power supply) since they already have an internal amplifier.
In broader terms, wired speakers may seem clumsier (having several cables to deal with) and what you may call 'traditional.'
They do tend to sound better, though. When you connect them with a stereo amp, the sound quality compared to wireless speakers will be much better. To achieve that, you will have to buy a stereo amp separately.
However, when considering the element of convivence, wireless speakers will always have the edge. You would be more convenient with a good Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection and remote control.
Wireless speakers also usually have a wide range of wired connections available, which enables you to connect to a separate deck, a turntable, and more.
Sound Quality
Bookshelf speakers produced nowadays are doing exceptionally well when it comes to performance, especially in terms of the quality of sound. So the possibility of actually ending up with a speaker with an average sound quality is not high. However, with so many options to choose from, knowing their limitations becomes all the more important.
Since bookshelf speakers are small in size, it limits the number of drivers it has (the circular speakers on the front that produces the sound) to two at most. The "all range" driver handles the bass and the mids, and the "tweeter" takes care of the frequency response.
Bass becomes a struggling area for bookshelf speakers when you put it in comparison with large floor-standing speakers. A bookshelf speaker with its limited size, power, and drivers cannot possibly pump out thumping bass compared to large floor-standing speakers.
However, you can always find bookshelf speakers that have excellent bass, but they would most definitely be out of your price range since you're looking for bookshelf speakers under 200.
There is, however, a solution if you want bookshelf speakers and you also really want to enjoy bass-heavy music. You can always use an additional subwoofer that can easily connect to wired or wireless bookshelf speakers.
Volume and Sensitivity
Sound quality and volume are two different things. A large bookshelf speaker may produce much higher volume and thumping bass, but it would not necessarily have quality sound. It would also not be as coinvent as you may like since the whole point of a bookshelf speaker is its compact size.
Hence, when choosing bookshelf speakers, deciding where your preferences lie is important. If the volume is a top priority, then a simple understanding of sensitivity ranges can be useful. It is a measure of decibels (dB), and anything less than 86 dB is considered low in volume. 87-95 dB is average, and anything over 95 dB is high.
The higher the frequency, the higher the cost in most cases. Since one of our priorities is cost-effectiveness, a mid to slightly lower-ranged frequency would be preferable.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bookshelf Speakers
Here are the most frequently asked questions about bookshelf speakers.
What are active speakers?
Active speakers are speakers that come with an amplifier built in. This is in contrast to passive speakers, which do not have an amplifier built in and must be powered by an external amplifier.
Active speakers are often preferred because they are more compact and easier to set up than passive speakers. Active speakers usually have a higher power rating than passive speakers, making them better suited for larger rooms or venues.
Are expensive bookshelf speakers worth it?
It depends on various factors, including the specific brand and model of the speaker, the size of your room, and your personal listening preferences.
Many audiophiles believe that investing in a good set of high-end bookshelf speakers can be well worth it, as they often offer better sound quality than smaller or lower-priced speakers. If you're serious about audio fidelity and want to get the most out of your music collection, then spending a bit more on quality speakers may be worth it in the long run.
What are bookshelf speakers best for?
Bookshelf speakers are usually best for people who want a good-quality audio experience without spending too much money. They're also a good option for smaller rooms since they don't take up too much space.
What speakers produce the best sound?
The best sound depends on your preferences. Some people prefer speakers that produce a lot of basses, while others prefer speakers that produce crystal-clear highs.
That said, there are some general things to look for when choosing speakers. For example, you want to ensure the speakers are made with high-quality materials and have a good design to minimize distortion. You also want to make sure the speaker drivers are well-balanced so that the sound is consistent across all frequencies.
Is Klipsch the best speaker?
Klipsch is a popular brand in the audio industry, and they make some great products. However, there are many other great brands out there, so it depends on what you're looking for in a speaker.
When shopping for speakers, you'll want to consider things like size, sound quality, power usage, and features. Klipsch makes great speakers that deliver high-quality sound and are relatively powerful, but they can be a bit pricey. Other brands like Polk Audio and JBL offer similar products at lower prices. So it really comes down to what your individual needs and preferences are.
Do speakers get better with age?
Yes, speakers do tend to get better with age. The cones and other speaker elements inside the speaker cabinet become more rigid as they age, which leads to a decrease in distortion and an increase in the clarity and accuracy of sound reproduction. Drivers also tend to settle in over time, leading to a more consistent sound across different frequencies. Finally, older speakers usually have a more solid build quality than their younger counterparts, which can lead to increased durability over time.
How long do bookshelf speakers last?
This depends on the bookshelf speakers' quality and how often they are used. However, bookshelf speakers should last for several years with regular use.
If you are looking for a long-lasting set of bookshelf speakers, choosing a quality brand that uses high-quality materials is important. Additionally, be sure to take care of your speakers by avoiding excessive moisture and heat exposure. If you follow these simple tips, your bookshelf speakers should last for many years.
What Option of Bookshelf Speakers Is Best For You?
We hope that this article has given some clarity on what bookshelf speakers you want in your home. All the options we presented can be great options for you and your home, but it comes down to personal preference.
If you're still unsure about which speakers you want, feel free to reach out. We would be happy to help assist you find the perfect speaker.
Thank you for reading!
Here is the list of items reviewed:
1. Sony 3-Way, 3-Driver Bookshelf Speakers
2. Micca RB42 Bookshelf Speaker
4. Polk Audio T15 Theater Bookshelf Speakers
5. Klipsch R-14M Bookshelf Speakers
