Bookshelf speakers are designed to provide outstanding sound quality. These speakers are small, compact, and an excellent addition to a hi-fi system. In this guide, we will walk you through some important factors you should consider to choose the best bookshelf speakers for your place.
What Factors Should You Consider When Purchasing the Best Bookshelf Speakers?
Wired or Wireless
The first decision you need to make is whether you want wired or wireless speakers. Wired speakers require to be connected to an external amplifier. The amp will transmit the audio signals to your bookshelf speakers and provide power to them to play the audio. Besides, they are quite messy because you have to deal with a lot of wires. However, the external stereo amp boosts the sound quality significantly that you cannot achieve from a wireless speaker. The speakers that need a separate amplifier are also referred to as passive speakers.
Wireless speakers, on the other hand, have integrated amps. Thus, you only have to connect them to a power supply and your mobile device via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to play your favorite music. These speakers also have an array of wired connections, enabling you to connect a separate DAC, a turntable, and more. The speakers that have internal amplifiers are also called active speakers.
Sound Quality
Though the sound quality of bookshelf speakers is exceptionally high, they come with one limitation due to their small size. These speakers have only two drivers - tweeter for high frequencies and an all-range driver to control the mids as well as bass. Thus, they don’t possess the power to produce thumping bass.
If you are fond of music that doesn’t stress on bass, like jazz, classical, or folk, bookshelf speakers are ideal for you. However, to enjoy bass-heavy music on these speakers, you have to connect them to a subwoofer. The icing on the cake is that wired and wireless speakers are compatible with additional subwoofers.
Matching Speakers to the Amp
This applies specifically to wired or passive speakers. If your interest has inclined toward wireless or active speakers, skip this section. The amp you connect to the speakers should provide a proper amount of power as failing to do so can deteriorate the sound quality or risk damaging the equipment.
However, you can overcome this issue and ensure excellent sound quality by matching the impedance (Ω) of your speakers and amplifier. For this purpose, all you have to do is match speakers of 8Ω with an amp of 8Ω and speakers of 4Ω with an amp of 4Ω to produce great sound quality. Generally, you can plug a pair of higher-impedance speakers into an amplifier of a lower impedance. However, connecting a pair of lower impedance to a higher-impedance amp is never recommended.
Sensitivity
Sensitivity is a measure of the number of decibels delivered when a particular level of power is passed through a speaker. While playing music, anything below 86 decibels is low, 87-95 decibels is considered the average volume, and volume above 95 decibels is quite high.
Different speaker manufacturers have different methods of measuring sensitivity, making it difficult to compare the products of different brands. However, this general measure can help you determine the loudness of speakers and invest in the one that is suitable for the music type you prefer.
Build Quality
Before purchasing bookshelf speakers, make sure to look for certain elements that can make or break their sound quality. Never fall for the aesthetics of the speakers because everything that glitters is not gold. You should determine the weight and heft of the speakers along with high-quality binding posts to store the cables in the back. Besides, ensure the speakers you choose have nicely rounded corners that resist chipping and a magnetic grille attached to them.
HiFi or Home Theater
One of the best characteristics of bookshelf speakers is that they can perform two tasks. Besides playing high-quality music, they also have the ability to serve as a part of a surround sound system.
Nowadays, many home theater systems incorporate a pair of bookshelf speakers because they are easier to carry and cover less space. What’s more, they can do various roles like front speakers, height speakers, and more. Thus, bookshelf speakers are the best option if you put together a surround system to take the sound environment at your place to the next level.
Cost
Bookshelf speakers are available at various price ranges in the market. The best thing about these speakers is that you can purchase an excellent pair for a small outlay. While the high-cost speakers come with more features and better sound quality, the affordable speakers also promise to provide high-quality audio. Besides, you can find a plethora of bookshelf speaker models at just about any cost you care to name. All you need to do is decide the brand, visit your nearby store and purchase the best pair that suits your budget as well as preferences.
Final Words
When it comes it purchasing bookshelf speakers, there is no one size fits all scenario. You have to bear many factors in mind and compare the specifications and budget of some models to get your hands on the best bookshelf speakers.
Bookshelf Speaker FAQ
Q: Should I place my bookshelf speakers on stands?
A: Ideally, yes. If you put your speakers on stands, the tweeter will sit at the ear level, the speaker will be placed on a stable surface for safety purposes, and the speaker cabinet will be free to display the sonic signature. However, it is not recommended to place bookshelf speakers in a closed cabinet or an enclosed bookshelf.
Q: Is a subwoofer necessary for bookshelf speakers?
A: No, a subwoofer is not necessary for bookshelf speakers. However, if you like bass-heavy music, then connecting speakers to a subwoofer is not a bad idea.
Q: Are bookshelf speakers considered full-range speakers?
A: No, bookshelf speakers are not full-range speakers. To be considered full-range, a speaker should have a midrange driver, subwoofer, and a tweeter. Since bookshelf speakers already have midrange drivers and tweeters, connecting them to a subwoofer can deliver a full-range experience.