What Are Bookshelf Speakers? Your Complete Guide

We often get asked, “What are bookshelf speakers?”.We are thoroughly answering that question in our bookshelf speaker buying guide. I’ve purchased dozens of home theater speakers and several pairs of bookshelf speakers. And I’m still surprised by how misunderstood bookshelf speakers are.

In our bookshelf speaker buying guide, we’re looking to clear up the confusion. We will discuss what bookshelf speakers are used for and important considerations when buying. We will also talk about if bookshelf speakers are worth it for you (spoiler alert: most likely!). Lastly, we compare them to other types of speakers. If you are interested in buying, check out our recommendations for the best bookshelf speakers.

What Are Bookshelf Speakers?

Bookshelf speakers are compact speakers that are popular with consumers for home theater and music. Their relatively small size and wide frequency response make them a great option for audio enthusiasts at home. They can be a great pair of stereo speakers or part of a larger surround sound system. This is in comparison to larger speakers which can make speaker placement difficult.

Why Are They Called Bookshelf Speakers?

The name likely doesn’t do bookshelf speakers any favors. Exactly what is considered a bookshelf speaker? Bookshelf speakers are mostly characterized by their relatively compact size. This allows them to be placed on a raised surface like a bookshelf. Entertainment centers, TV stands, coffee tables, and similar furniture are also natural options for the placement of bookshelf speakers. They are also often mounted on speaker stands and walls. The optimal height of bookshelf speakers is a position where the tweeter is at the ear level of the listener. You will find most bookshelf speakers are close to that optimal position when placed on a table or speaker stand in your living room.

Bookshelf speakers became a desired product in the 1960s. Audio enthusiasts in smaller homes wanted great sound but not the larger speakers that were popular at the time. Manufacturers served that demand by creating more compact speakers and bookshelf speakers were born. Bookshelf speakers would be a popular mainstay in home audio by the 1990s. Here are a few other things that set bookshelf speakers apart from other speakers.

Pros and Cons of Bookshelf Speakers

Pros of Bookshelf Speakers

Versatile Speaker Placement Options

On the positive side, bookshelf speakers are versatile in more ways than one. If you are building a speaker system, space can be at a premium. The small footprint of bookshelf speakers allows varied placement. You can place them on bookshelves, tables, or stands. This also means more flexibility if you ever decide to upgrade your home theater system. Bookshelf speakers can be easily incorporated into another room’s sound setup. They also work well in a dedicated listening setup. Connecting bookshelf speakers to a PC is just one very popular use case.

Diverse Applications For Home Audio

Bookshelf speakers also deliver a diversity of sound. Most have at least a tweeter and a woofer onboard. They are designed to have rich bass along with mid and high frequencies. This full sound signature makes bookshelf speakers a great fit for music and movies

Great Performance For Cost

Bookshelf speakers also happen to strike a great balance between cost and performance. The frequency range makes it a great option for budget shoppers. No other type of speaker provides a soundstage this wide at a comparable price point.

Cons of Bookshelf Speakers

Not As Loud As Larger Speakers

Raw physics is the main limiting factor of bookshelf speakers. A smaller speaker cabinet and fewer drivers generally mean less volume. Bookshelf speakers can get loud. They will not get as loud as a larger speaker and will require more amplification on average. Floorstanding speakers are the main substitute for bookshelf speakers as front speakers in home audio systems.

Unfortunately, floorstanding speakers typically only make sense as front speakers in systems with multiple channels. This is mostly due to their size limiting placement options. They are typically louder though. The additional loudness won’t necessarily be needed in many listening spaces. Powerful bookshelf speakers can still get plenty loud.

Subwoofers Needed For Deep Bass

The same notion extends to bass. Some people pair bookshelf speakers with a subwoofer to provide their home theater system with more bass. Bookshelf speakers need a subwoofer for truly deep and impactful bass.

Typical Bookshelf Speaker Configuration

Most Bookshelf Speakers Are 2-Way Speakers

A bookshelf speaker will typically have two speaker drivers. This makes them 2-way speakers that usually have drivers known as the tweeter and woofer. Tweeters generally reproduce high frequency and woofers are for low-frequency sounds. In a 2-way system, the tweeter and woofer share the responsibility of reproducing midrange frequencies. The number of speaker drivers is the main difference between 2-way and 3-way speakers.

Most tweeters on bookshelf speakers will be around 0.75 to 1-inch in size. Larger bookshelf speakers will typically allow space for larger woofers. A 4-inch woofer is a typical starting point for small bookshelf speakers. Larger bookshelf speakers usually max out at a 6.5-inch woofer. Larger woofers are generally capable of deeper bass.

Bookshelf Speakers Have Wide Frequency Response

2-way systems like those in bookshelf speakers are capable of wide frequency response. Most bookshelf speakers have a frequency response starting at around 45Hz and maxing out around 25,000Hz. That wide frequency response is one of the characteristics that make bookshelf speakers good for home theater and music lovers. With just two speakers, bookshelf speakers can reproduce most of the audible frequency spectrum.

Passive vs Active Bookshelf Speakers

Passive Bookshelf Speakers

Passive bookshelf speakers are what many will be familiar with for home theater speakers. Passive speakers have no internal power supply. They must be powered with a connection via speaker wire to a receiver or amplifier. Different passive bookshelf speakers have varying amounts of peak power handling. Some even have enough power for listening to music and movies in larger rooms. Having an AV receiver gives you the ability to pair them with different types of speakers for a multi-channel home theater surround system. Passive bookshelf speakers might be preferable if a large multi-speaker setup is your goal.

Active Bookshelf Speakers

Do bookshelf speakers need an amp? Not active bookshelf speakers. Unlike passive bookshelf speakers, powered or active bookshelf speakers have an integrated amplifier. No external amplifier is needed. This allows them to have more connectivity and features onboard. Rear ports on active bookshelf speakers add the ability for wired connections to other electronics. Connections via AUX, RCA, Coax, etc are just a few of the options a listener can expect on active bookshelf speakers. Many active bookshelf speakers also have Bluetooth giving them wireless capability. Remote control and onboard tuning for volume, bass, and treble are also other features of active bookshelf speakers. Active bookshelf speakers are sometimes preferable in smaller dedicated setups (TV, vinyl, computer desks, etc). They can be paired with a larger surround sound system if you utilize a receiver with pre-outs.

Size and Power

Bookshelf Speaker Size

Bookshelf speakers are relatively small and compact compared to floorstanding speakers. Floorstanding or tower speakers are popular as front speakers and stereo speakers in home audio applications. For this reason, bookshelf speakers often get compared to floorstanding speakers. Some bookshelf speakers are larger than others though. There are bookshelf speakers small enough to fit on a crowded computer desk. The Micca RB42 at 8.7″ (H) x 4.9″ (W) x 7.9″ (D) and 8 pounds per speaker are a great example of smaller bookshelf speakers. Then there are larger bookshelf speakers like the JBL Studio 530. They are more suitable for a larger space at 18.4″ (H) x 8.4″ (W) x 8.8″ (D) and 17 pounds per speaker. The relatively small size of bookshelf speakers shouldn’t dissuade those looking for full, big sound. There are different types of all sizes depending on your needs.

Power Handling and Peak Watts

The size will also generally dictate how powerful bookshelf speakers are. Those seeking loud volume and audio to fill a larger room will want a speaker with more power. You will also find many options for power when comparing bookshelf speakers. The popular Edifier R1280T are small active bookshelf speakers with just 21 Watts of onboard power per speaker. The Klipsch RP-600M passive bookshelf speakers require an amp and allow for 100 continuous RMS or 400 peak watts. Most traditional AV receivers will power the Klipsch RP-600PM or similarly powered speakers just fine. This type of power handling means they are more capable of being pushed if listening at high volume is your goal. This may be necessary for those looking for a sound system to fill a larger space with audio.

Varying Sound Signatures

A bookshelf speaker is not only unique in size and power. They also have EQs and sound signatures that vary. This is important based on customer use cases and preferences. Certain bookshelf speaker designs and sound signatures will be more desirable for home theater. Spacious sound and vocals with clarity are just two. Ensuring voices are heard is very important in home theater. Especially if space is at a premium and you will not be using a center channel. Or if you are using a bookshelf speaker as a center channel.

A wide sound stage is also important. A wider room with spread-out listening positions typically requires this. A wide sound stage ensures sound effects will sound good to the entire room if you have company. A narrow sound stage will only sound good to those directly in front of the speakers.

A good sound signature for a bookshelf speaker is a little more about preference. It will also vary depending on what music genres you will be listening to. Many consumer audio products have a V-shaped sound signature. A V-shaped sound signature places more emphasis on low and high frequencies. Many enjoy this sound even if they aren’t acutely aware of what it is. It can result in the midrange and vocals being overpowered for more critical listeners. Listeners will find some bookshelf speakers have a more dynamic sound signature that is more fun for music. Klipsch bookshelf speakers have this representation, but many people also use them for home theater. This is a good reason people test multiple speakers before making a decision.

Considerations When Buying Bookshelf Speakers

There are several variables to take into account when choosing bookshelf speakers. We cover the most important ones below.

Wired vs Wireless

Wired speakers will require you to connect to an amp with wires. The amp will send the audio signal that allows the speaker to produce sound. Wired speakers are also sometimes referred to as passive speakers for this reason. They won’t “come alive” without amplification. Wireless speakers are at times referred to as active speakers. Active speakers will have their own amplification.

Wired speakers are generally thought to have better sound quality. This certainly isn’t always the case. We’re speaking broadly here, as every pair of speakers is unique. The main case for wireless speakers is convenience. Most can play music via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This will free you from wires making placement much easier. Many wireless speakers still make wired connections available as an option. This will give you the option to connect to receivers or other audio sources.

Home Theater vs Music

What is your purpose for these speakers? Are you using them solely for a vinyl record player? Are they your new home theater system? Bookshelf Speakers can luckily do it all. You should still take into account your objective. Let’s say you will use these bookshelf speakers to listen to a turntable. They will be placed on a table in your dining room. You won’t be looking to upgrade or use another music source. You just want the be best sound quality. Compact wired speakers might be your best bet. They will deliver the best sound performance for your dollar. The other benefits of wireless speakers won’t be relevant.

On the other hand, let’s assume you want bookshelf speakers for your living room. Your main priority is an eventual surround sound home theater system. You also want to be able to use various audio sources. This brings into play compatibility issues. Space becomes a concern and so does amplification. Wireless speakers that give you flexibility will be a good pick here. Build a budget based on what you want to spend in total. Factor in an eventual receiver and subwoofer at a minimum. More research will be necessary to ensure you buy bookshelf speakers that fit into your final system.

Matching Speakers and Amplifiers

Amplification is one of the more technical considerations. You want your amp to send the right amount of power to your wired speakers. The incorrect amount of power can result in loss of sound quality or even speaker damage. Your bookshelf speakers will come with a suggested wattage to drive them. This is the recommended amount of power your amplifier should send. This is typically a range such as 20-100 watts per bookshelf speaker. An amplifier that lists its max output power at 80 watts per channel will work.

Amplification can quickly become complex. This is a simple explanation. Think of wattage and power for speakers in terms of volume. At low volumes, your amplifier will not be sending 80 watts to each bookshelf speaker. It may never need to use all 80 watts. Many speakers are thought to be “efficient” in that they don’t require much wattage to power them. You will come across this type of information in your research. It can often tell you much more than specifications can.

Main Specifications

Watts

We covered this in the previous section. Watts are a very important specification for matching passive speakers to amplifiers. The max wattage number becomes more important if listening at loud levels is your goal. Attempting to fill a large room with a multi-speaker setup isn’t always easy. Focus on wattage when you compare bookshelf speakers if this is a priority.

Hertz:

Hertz (abbreviated as Hz) measure frequency. Bookshelf speakers will list a Hz range such as 50Hz-20,000Hz in their specifications. The lower the first number the heavier your bass will be. The 2nd number is how high frequencies will reach. If bass is a priority, focus on the low end a of the frequency range. Plan on a subwoofer to really provide a real boost to low-end frequencies in your home audio setup.

Drivers:

A driver is an individual loudspeaker that produces sound. Each bookshelf speaker typically has 1 woofer and 1 tweeter. Woofers are great for bass. Tweeters are great for high frequencies. All things being equal, bigger woofers produce more bass. You will find bookshelf speakers that provide more drivers or claim to produce better mids.

Bookshelf Speakers vs Other Stereo Speakers

We also want to provide true options for substitutes in our bookshelf speaker buying guide. It’s possible another type of speaker is better for your use case. Here are how Bookshelf speakers compare to a few different types of speakers. All of the below speakers work as stereo speakers. That means speakers that can reproduce audio from left and right channels. This is important for a dedicated listening station, computer speakers, or a home theater setup.

Bookshelf Speakers vs Floorstanding Speakers

Bookshelf Speakers are often compared to floor-standing speakers. People looking for the full surround sound home theater experience often consider both. Floor-standing speakers have a larger footprint. They have a larger cabinet and more drivers. Floor-standing speakers are also more sensitive to power. They will not require as much amplification as bookshelf speakers. The result is louder volume and deeper bass than bookshelf speakers. This is the main difference between floorstanding speakers and bookshelf speakers.

Drivers for floor-standing speakers cover a large range of configurations. This results in a sound that covers a large frequency range. Drivers may include a tweeter, mid-woofer, woofer, and subwoofer. These large speakers can be placed on the floor as their names suggest. No bookshelves or speaker stands are needed. They generally project to large rooms well, but acoustics can be inconsistent. Sound from floorstanding speakers can be impacted by obstructions or a nearby wall. A pair of floorstanding speakers typically comes at a higher price than bookshelf speakers.

Bookshelf Speakers vs Studio Monitor

Studio monitors resemble bookshelf speakers which may cause some confusion. Studio Monitors are also referred to as reference speakers. They are designed for professional music production where mixing audio requires accurate sound. Their frequency response is flat. This means there is no overemphasis on low, midrange, or high frequencies. Each frequency is produced at the same level for informed mixing of recordings. Studio monitors are usually powered by built-in amplifiers. They also typically have professional-grade connectivity options.

Bookshelf Speakers vs Satellite Speakers

Satellite speakers are smaller than bookshelf speakers. Satellite speakers are also known as mini-bookshelf speakers. They are compact and mountable on a wall or ceiling. Satellite speakers have a full, balanced sound. They can help provide a surround sound experience. Their size gives them flexibility in home theater systems. Satellite speakers come in different form factors.

They are generally thought to be a step down in audio quality from bookshelf speakers. That isn’t always the case though. A good pair of satellite speakers can add great value at a price lower than bookshelf speakers.

Bottom Line on Bookshelf Speakers

There are a ton of considerations when buying bookshelf speakers. The best starting point is identifying the most important feature for you. Decide on your budget next and go from there. Bookshelf speakers can definitely find a place in your setup. What are bookshelf speakers? They are an extremely versatile performer for home theater enthusiasts and music lovers.

Bookshelf Speaker Guide: FAQs

Do Booshelf Speakers Need An Amp?

Passive bookshelf speakers will require an amplifier. Active or powered bookshelf speakers do not need an amp. They have their own internal power supply. Passive bookshelf speakers are typically powered by external amplifiers or receivers.