The 10 best bookshelf speakers to buy in the UK
A good set of bookshelf speakers offer exceptional audio for stereo and home theatre systems. However, it’s often hard to determine what the best bookshelf speakers are, as there are many products to choose from, all of which vary in quality.
Check out the buying guide below for how to choose the best bookshelf speaker for your entertainment setup.
What are bookshelf speakers?
A bookshelf speaker is a type of loudspeaker designed to sit on shelves. As a result, bookshelf speakers are smaller and more compact than most other loudspeakers, making it easier to place them on raised surfaces such as shelves. While previously designed to work with home theatre systems and shelf stereos, modern bookshelf speakers often have wireless connectivity, allowing them to work with various devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, televisions, and stereos.
Why should you buy a good bookshelf speaker?
The best bookshelf speakers offer exceptional audio quality in a compact system. This makes them ideal for people that want great audio for listening to music or watching films and television, espiecally those that are tight on space. Integrated speakers do not offer the same audio quality as devices such as bookshelf speakers, making them a great option for enhancing the audio of a television, computer, smartphone etc.
How to choose the right bookshelf speaker in 2024?
There are many things to consider before choosing a good bookshelf speaker, including:
- Frequency Response: This refers to the range of sounds the speaker produces, with the best bookshelf speakers using tweeters and woofers for incredible sound replication including high frequencies and low basses. A high-quality bass will cost more but offers the best overall audio quality, while speakers with extended high frequency response are a more cost-effective option. The best bookshelf speakers should have a good balance of low and high frequencies. Those that focus on high frequencies tend to have an undesirable pitch while those with too much emphasis on low frequencies result in a very boomy bass.
- Size: It’s easy to assume that bigger is always better for a speaker, but in the case of bookshelf speakers this isn’t the case. Improvements in technology have allowed bookshelf speakers to increase their audio quality without having to sacrifice their compactness, as you don’t want this type of speaker to be too big to fit onto a shelf.
- Connectivity: Previously, any bookshelf speaker had to be connected to stereo systems or home theatre systems to provide audio feedback, but now many connect wirelessly using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. In these instances, you won’t require any audio cables to connect to devices, so be sure to determine what type of connectivity is required so you have the appropriate hardware for the speakers to connect to other devices.
What is the best kind of bookshelf speaker in the UK?
There are a few options when it comes to types of bookshelf speakers, any of which may be ideal for your needs.
- Ported Bookshelf Speakers: Also known as vented speakers, ported bookshelf speakers allow for higher levels of bass response due to vents that tune speaker cones. Because this allows speakers to be specifically tuned by the amount air that pushes through, it reduce the overall distortion by limiting the cone’s pushback. This makes them much better at handling bass, although the sound accuracy may be less than other types, and they are quite hard to tune.
- Sealed Bookshelf Speakers: Unlike ported speakers, sealed bookshelf speakers feature no vents, with the back section of the unit being completely sealed. This results in a much better response than other speakers, meaning it can quickly adjust to changing music notes. They are generally much smaller than ported speakers, although they do not handle bass as well this type.
Top 10 list of bookshelf speakers in the UK (2024)
The bestseller list compares brands and their bookshelf speakers. Which speaker is the best?
- CLASSIC WOOD FINISH - High quality MDF wood build finished with wood effect vinyl…
- REMOTE CONTROL - Adjust volume at your figure tips. Bass and treble control located…
- STUDIO SOUND QUALITY - Natural sound reproduction from 13mm silk dome tweeter and…
- QUIET STANDBY AND ENERGY SAVING Built in noise elimination system. Built-in chip,…
- TREBLE AND BASS ADJUSTMENTTo achieve true HiFi sound quality, set the total volume,…
- 24bit DAC USB CONNECTION AND BLUETOOTH 5.0Bluetooth 5.0 connection, stable transmission.…
- REMOTE CONTROL - Adjust the volume and toggle inputs at your fingertips. Bass and…
- OPTICAL AND COAXIAL INPUTS - Digital inputs to enable lossless connection to most…
- STUDIO SOUND QUALITY - Naturally fine tuned sound reproduction from 4 inch bass and…
- ' : Package has 2x D40 speakers, remote, cables, & manual. Developed in…
- , , , , , , : Designed for easy use, the D40 is versatile active studio monitor and…
- " , , -: The D40 powered bookshelf speakers use the latest hi-resolution digital…
- Color: Black
- Edifier R1000T4 Active 2.0 bookshelf speaker system ideal TV, PC, Laptop, Computer,…
- Brand: Edifier
- 150W RMS Outstanding Power: 2x75W Roxel Bookshelf speaker, will be a brilliant addition…
- Classic Design and Black wood effect finish: High quality MDF wood enclosure build…
- Silk dome tweeter: Roxel RBS 300 boasts 1" silk dome tweeter to deliver a high-frequency…
- Stereo RCA to 3.5mm audio cable included: The package also includes a stereo RCA…
- Sleek design and exceptional value: The Roxel Onyx active bookshelf speakers feature…
- Digital optical cable and RCA to RCA cable included: The package includes a digital…
- : British Designed Azatom products have over 30 years’ experience in the…
- & : Sit back and relax with remote in hand. Adjust volume, Mute/Unmute, Play/Pause.…
- : Carefully crafted wood cabinet with grained effect finish in optional colours…
- Elevate your home entertainment with the Roxel Nova bookshelf speakers, where powerful…
- Energy Efficient: The power supply operates at AC100-240V~ 50/60Hz, consuming less…
- Compact and Stylish Design: With compact dimensions (174 x 273 x 235 mm) , Roxel…
- ADD THE RECEIVER FOR THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE - This product contains only the speakers.…
- 100+ YEARS OF AUDIO EXPERIENCE - Denon has a deep heritage of “firsts”…
- SUITABLE FOR ANY DECORATION STYLE - Available in three distinct colours (black, white…
We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We consider only products that are available on Amazon while the ranking is based on factors such as customer reviews, number of sales and keyword. Last Update: 2024/12/21.