You don’t have to be a full-blown audiophile or vinyl head to have a discerning ear for sound quality. High quality audio equipment for the home can be a very deep rabbit hole and finding the perfect speaker setup for your home can be daunting, with so many options, form factors, and price points out there.
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Based off my years as a vinyl enthusiast, these are the 4 accessories you’ll want to build your beginner vinyl set-up.
After research and testing our top pick, the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 speakers, I compiled what I feel are the best bookshelf speakers for those searching for a simple yet high quality stereo setup while considering budget. And as a self-proclaimed audiophile always in search of the best possible sound, I was sure to choose these speakers based on bass, power, overall musical clarity, and wireless tech integration — both in design and performance.
Best overall bookshelf speakers
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3
Recommended
Excellent stereo speakers for this price point and size
The 606 S3 is the third generation of this speaker model from Bowers & Wilkins. Each generation continues to be an improvement on the last and the 606 S3 is no exception.
- Fantastic clarity from titanium dome tweeter
- Great bass from its 6.5″ cone
- Ideal soundstage spacing leaves little margin for error
Bowers & Wilkins continue to show why it’s one of the leaders in the audio space with the 606 S3 bookshelf speakers. I got to spend some time hands-on with a pair of these third generation speakers and was overall super impressed with their performance relative to size and price point.
I listened to Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors on my Hi-Fi set-up and experienced crisp highs, together with a full mid-range. The playful acoustic guitar of Never Going Back Again wormed its way into my ears in the most pleasant way, projected out of the 606 S3’s 1-inch titanium dome tweeter. The resonance of Stevie Nicks’ voice on Dreams was exactly that — a dream.
When tested against more recent electronically focused music like tunes from CHVRCHES and Above & Beyond, the 606 S3 held up valiantly to the heavy bass demand of these artists considering the 6.5-inch mid-range cone present on this model. The 606 S3 is no subwoofer, nor is it a $10,000 standing speaker, so with that being said, I found its bass performance went above and beyond my admitedly high expectations.
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For anyone looking for perhaps their first set of serious stereo speakers, bookshelf speakers are an approachable place to start and the 606 S3 bookshelf speakers fit the bill for almost any beginner to mid-range stereo setup.
Best connected bookshelf speakers
KEF LSX II Wireless HiFi Speaker
Big sound in a small package
$999 $1399 Save $400
The LSX II Wireless speakers from KEF are an impressive combination of features and sound in a compact package, well suited for any smaller space or office setup.
- Easy to use mobile app
- Connectivity options and streaming integration second to none
- Bass leaves something to be desired at this price point
The KEF LSX II wireless speakers represent a melding of worlds between modern connected smart speakers, and speakers with Hi-Fi DNA. I also had the chance to go hands-on with these speakers and found them to be incredibly versatile and well-fitted for a connected home.
I found these speakers to be of a high quality for their size, and while they certainly pack a punch when it comes to sound, they shine most by being one of the most feature rich smart speakers on the market. The KEF app is intuitive and easy to use, and users can play music through any number of streaming services, from any connected device in their home via either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The LSX II wireless speakers also support radio station streaming, as well as a rich library of podcasts. The KEF wireless connectivity can configure multi-room setups for a full home speaker system.
In my testing, I found that the LSX II speakers shone most with the higher frequency sounds of treble-heavy music, orchestral pieces, or the sharp sounds of video games.
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If you prefer to hard-wire the LSX II speakers for a PC or audio system setup, the KEF speakers support cables connected via 3.5mm aux, USB, and Optical cable. This connection is ideal for anyone wanting to connect directly to a device playing music from a lossless or Hi-Fi streaming service like Tidal. The speakers come with the option to wirelessly connect to each other, or to hard-wire them together using an included CAT cable. I found that the latter gives a small bump in audio quality as it’s one less compression bottleneck to pass through.
In my testing, I found that the LSX II speakers shone most with the higher frequency sounds of treble-heavy music, orchestral pieces, or the sharp sounds of video games. The horns on the theme from Jurrasic Park by John Williams were beautifully reproduced through these speakers, and the poppy staccato synth and percussive work on Michael Jackson’s Wanna Be Startin’ Something sounded crisp and precise. Overall, I thought the LSX II sounded pretty great for what they are. These smaller bookshelf speakers boast an imposing volume for the .75-inch dome nestled within a 4.5 inch cone. While that size naturally leaves you with something to be desired when it comes to bass, KEF sells wonderful subwoofer accompaniments for these speakers.
Best wired budget bookshelf speakers
Triangle Borea BR03 Hi-Fi Bookshelf Speakers
Impressive sound at a wallet-friendly price
$300 $350 Save $50
The Triangle Borea BR03 bookshelf speakers deliver a decent soundstage and good overall performance at an extermely competitive price point.
- Passive only, and BT version will cost you double
For those still searching for a set of quality speakers but not wanting to break the bank, the Borea BR03 stereo speakers from Triangle Hi-Fi deliver spectacular sound at a very approachable price. The French brand offers a range of bookshelf and standing Hi-Fi speakers ranging from entry level to high-end. Each one presents an outstanding value and these are no exception.
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The Borea BR03 speakers present great tonal depth and decent bass for speakers at this price point. These speakers carry a 1-inch tweeter and a 6.25-inch cone through which a wide frequency range ensures a full sound from your favorite tracks.
The Borea BR03 would make a great addition to any beginner or value-conscious setup.
These are passive stereo speakers, meaning you’ll need to hard-wire them to your stereo setup using speaker wire or cable. There are no extra bells and whistles or wireless connectivity options on this model, but what they lack in flourish they make up for in sound. The Borea BR03 would make a great addition to any beginner or value-conscious setup. If you want to, or have the budget to spend double the price, the Bluetooth version are a great set of bookshelf speakers that we’ve reviewed hands-on and loved as well.
Best wireless budget bookshelf speakers
Q Acoustics M20 HD
Bluetooth speakers at an portion of others cost
Q Acoustics bring bluetooth connectivity to a good sounding pair of bookshelf speakers with the M20 HDs. These speakers combine wireless connectivity and good acoustics at an approachable price point.
- Bluetooth connectivity for ease of use
- Good price
- Bass performance is somewhat lacking though on par with price point
For today’s connected homes, buying a set of speakers without some type of wireless connectivity might be a deal-breaker for many. The Q Acoustics M20 HD speakers offer stereo sound at an affordable price, with the convenience of Bluetooth. Q Acoustics has produced a truly versatile set of speakers at a fantastic price point with the M20 HD. Under the hood, you’ll find a .87-inch wide tweeter and a 4.92-inch cone driving a big sound for fairly compact speakers.
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Other Pocket-lint staff members went hands-on with these speakers, and were thoroughly impressed with what we found given their price. In testing through music, movies, and TV, we found a warm and detailed sound. While the lower end of the frequency range is average for speakers of this size, the M20 HDs have a convenient connection port for a separate subwoofer should users want some heavier bass than the speakers deliver on their own.
Pocket-lint
Best premium bookshelf speakers
Bowers & Wilkins 706 S3
A powerhouse set of speakers for any room
The 706 S3 from Bowers & Wilkins stand in as the big brother to the 606 S3. Though they are nearly the same size, the 706 S3 brings a richness of sound you simply have to hear to appreciate.
- Excellent frequency and response range for bookshelf speakers
- Decoupled tweeter for clearer highs
- Pricey speakers
- Additional stand may be needed to maximize audio quality in the room
The 706 S3 from Bowers & Wilkins are perhaps some of the finest bookshelf speakers we’ve had the chance to get hands-on with. The decoupled carbon dome tweeter sings high vocal notes, crisp hi-hat hits, and delicate strings with a clarity and a tone that gets the blood pumping. The imaging on these speakers is outstanding; while listening to The National’s 2007 album Boxer,”Matt Berningers deep vocals felt like they were coming straight from him, sitting on a stool in my living room.
My tried and true double LP 45 RPM Pallas pressing of Rumors by Fleetwood Mac absolutely filled the room with a crystal clear stereo image, rendering what truly felt like a performance of their seminal album. There is a character to this album laid down on analog tapes in mid-seventies that truly shines through the decoupled carbon dome tweeter on the 706 S3 speakers. This particular record, while always an impressive listen, has never sounded better than through the 706 S3.
These bookshelf speakers are priced firmly above the more entry-level friendly 606 S3, but rest assured their price jump represents the next level of materials and sound.
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The LS50 Wireless II set offers a better bass response, more connectivity options, and way higher peak output power than the LSX II set, but this big sibling comes with a big jump in price. These are a premium set of speakers that can serve as the focal point for your home audio setup.
The bottom line: What’s the best set of bookshelf speakers?
Whether you are just streaming Spotify to your budget receiver, or trying to build a Hi-Fi setup with dedicated turntable, preamp, amplifier, and speakers, the 606 S3s are a great entry point to quality speakers, while allowing plenty of room for future growth. These are passive speakers, so as you upgrade your equipment over the years, you’ll just get more and more out of them. If connectivity is a must, and you’re not interested in separate equipment, then the LSX II would do well in your home, again without emptying your wallet to get it done. If you’re in the market for more budget-conscious speakers, then either the passive Triangle Borea BR03’s or the Bluetooth compatible Q Acoustics M20 HDs would more likely meet that need.
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3
Editor’s Choice
FAQ
Q: How do you pick the best bookshelf speakers for your setup?
Selecting the right bookshelf speakers comes down to a few main factors: room setting and set up.
First you’ll want to consider what kind of room you are trying to put these speakers in. Are you trying to fill a large living room with full, rich sound? Are you only trying to play some music in a small home-office or as part of your PC setup? Are these speakers going to be wired to a Hi-Fi setup like a turntable, or just on their own to stream music?
Secondly, you’ll want to understand your setup as a complete picture. Meaning, do you already have some other audio equipment as part of your audio setup? Using passive speakers and a separate amplifier or receiver allows you to focus your budget on your speakers, which is where the dollars go farthest, and save your money by using a budget amplifier or receiver. Having those passive speakers also gives more room for your setup to grow in the future as you go further down the rabbit hole of Hi-Fi audio in the home.
Lastly, you’ll need to consider your budget, and make sure that your hard-earned money is going towards the performance and quality of the speaker itself, and not necessarily the gadgets and gizmos the speakers come equipped with.
Q: How did we select these speakers?
I was able to go hands-on with almost every set of speakers in this article, and we tested them personally against different types of music and audio, such as movies, games, and podcasts. I, in particular, am also incredibly picky when it comes to audio equipment and am making these recommendations based on experience and an ultra-sensitive musical ear.
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