Bookshelf Speaker reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 290 Reddit reviews across 11 subreddits and 100 posts to rank the best Bookshelf Speaker brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/BudgetAudiophile, r/StereoAdvice, r/hometheater, r/turntables, r/audiophile. Top-rated brands include Kef (4.2/5), Elac (4.4/5), Polk (4.0/5).
Stats
Reviews290
Subreddits11
Posts100
Brands38
Products86
290 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Kef
4.2
(33)
"I'm a huge fan of the KEF R3."
"KEF R3 Meta"
"KEF Q150, Q350, ELAC DB53, DB63 are probably the best overall speakers in that price range."
"I have a 2.1 with Kef q150s and a 12s. It sounds great to my ears."
"I have the KEF Q150 and love them."
"Yes, the KEF R3 Meta are some of the best objectively measuring speakers in the world."
"You can get a pair of Q350 for $500."
"Around $1500, I'd consider: KEF R3"
"Right now the kef q150 is on sale for $300."
"Kef q-150 would be a great speaker."
#2
Elac
4.4
(31)
"Very happy with the purchase, so far."
"They bring joy whenever I hear them."
"Go ELAC!"
"Love my elacs."
"I would go with the Elacs."
"A bt20a pro in a bedroom with elac debut b6.2s."
"ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2. Hard to beat in this price range."
"Love my Elac debut b5.2 bookshelves."
"Elacs on sale for $240."
"Elac Debut B6.2 sound good to me."
#3
Polk
4.0
(25)
"5.25" Polk ES15 are the best passive on your list."
"I would combine with Polk Signature Elite ES20 Bookshelf Speaker with stands"
"Polk delivers, imo, a masterful balance in the bass and midrange without the annoying brightness."
"Polk R200."
"You should be able to find Polk R200 and Elac DBR62 for similar prices, or a bit lower. Also really good."
"Buy these looks from Best Buy or Amazon and then you have the option to return if you don’t like them."
"For $199 which is the current price they are unb"
"I am loving them."
"Just get Polks XT15, in Europe for around 120€. Small, pretty and stylish, yet effective."
"Polk soft dome tweeters are non-fatiguing ...and cheaper."
#4
Wharfedale
4.4
(17)
"I am very happy with my Warfdale Diamond 12.2 speakers."
"I had the KEF, but I prefer the sound of the Wharfedale over that."
"Wharfedale 12.2 and NAD Hybrid Digital C328/NAD C316BEE v2 or a Cambridge audio"
"Wharfedale 220,225,12.2."
"I think I’m going to go with the Wharfedale 12.2s."
"Wharfedale evo 4.2"
"I, too, recommend you the Wharfedale Evo 4.2, because they have plenty of low end"
"Wharfedale evo4.2 is on sale for 1k."
"Take a look at the wharfedale Evo 4.2. very elegant looking speaker"
"Personally I would go for the Wharfedale Diamond range. Try the 12.1 or 12.2. There a very well built decent sounding speaker and probably the best you could get new in that price range."
#5
Q Acoustics
4.5
(13)
"I just got the 3020i from Amazon for $381 I’m blown away with the bass and clarity for the price."
"$500 Ballpark contenders would be: Elac DB3, Elac UniFi UB5, Klipsch RP600M II, Heco Aurora 300, Wharfedale Denton 80th, Triangle Borea BR03, Q Acoustics 3020."
"I think it sounds real nice."
"Second hand Q acoustics 3020 or 3020i are fantastic."
"Q Acoustics 3030i are really great."
"Another vote for the Q Acoustics 3020i or 3030i."
"If you like the look the Q Acoustics are a great speaker too."
"I'm very happy with my Q Acoustics."
"Get some entry level qacoustics speakers."
"I found the QA 3030i to be very decent."
#6
Klipsch
4.1
(14)
"The Klipsch RP-600M ii is it that price range."
"Are the Klipsch subs significantly cheaper than Arendal in Europe?"
"$500 Ballpark contenders would be: Elac DB3, Elac UniFi UB5, Klipsch RP600M II, Heco Aurora 300, Wharfedale Denton 80th, Triangle Borea BR03, Q Acoustics 3020."
"They were $450 a pair during Holidays season."
"Consider the Klipsch Rp 600M II $459 @Amazon US"
"I would recommend the Klipsch over the Audio Engine."
"I’d go with the Klipsch in a carpeted room with drapes."
"Klipsch r51m."
"I have the Klipsch “The Fives” which I got for $400 and I like them a lot."
"Klipsch or wharedale are good options."
#7
Dali
4.2
(13)
"I really liked the Oberon and would happily snap them up."
"My Dali Oberon 3s have never failed me!"
"I got a pair of Dali Oberon speakers and the quality is first class."
"MA Silver 100's or maybe Dali Opticon 2's?"
"In this budget, I will recommend the following: Dali Oberon 1"
"Speakers from brands like Dali, Elac, Wharfedale, Triangle, Focal, Canton, Q Acoustics."
"On the used market in Europe there are good deals because there's more supply than demand: Dali."
"Id look at Dali and Elac."
"For $500 check the Dali Oberon 3."
"Dali Oberon 1, Wharfedale EVO4.1."
#8
Revel
4.5
(11)
"Revel Performa3 M106"
"I have a za3 in the living room with Revel m106 speakers."
"Revel Concerta2 M16 (currently on solid discount sale) & Wiim Amp would be my choice."
"Revel M106, very difficult to beat."
"Very highly rated bookshelf speaker."
"Consider the Revel Concerta2 M16s."
"Revel Concerto2 m16"
"$1000 is a good budget, something like Polk R200, Elac DBR6, Revel M16."
"These are still on sale...Revel Performa3 M106."
"Revel M106/M105 are on sale now."
#9
Emotiva
4.8
(10)
"Emotiva B1+ are my rec in that price range."
"**Emotiva B1+**."
"Emotiva B1+. Smooth highs, great coherence and soundstage!"
"Emotiva B1+, especially now when they are $250."
"I would stick with your instinct and get the B1+."
"Check out the Emotiva B1+."
"Emotiva Airmotiv B1+, no doubt."
"Emotiva b1+."
"Emotiva Airmotiv B1+"
#10
JBL
4.4
(9)
"JBL A130 $199."
"For $300 you can get a pair of refurbished JBL Studio 530."
"I'd take a look at JBL Studio 530's. Those bookshelves ended my search."
"If I was making a choice I'd go with the JBL Studio 530."
"I have the JBL studio 530s, and they sound really great paired with a subwoofer."
"If I had to recommend a brand, it would be JBL."
"The JBL Studio 530 are on sale for $239."
"JBL A130."
"JBL"
#11
PSB
4.5
(8)
"I love my PSB Imagine XB. They’ve got a really impressive soundstage."
"Consider PSBs! I have a pair and they punch way above their cost."
"Or PSB Alpha p3"
"I have the PSB Alpha P5s and I think they’re great."
"Very good deal imo. Also PSB P5 $319 sale."
"The PSBs are very good and a bargain."
"Try the PSB Alpha P3."
"I have a pair of PSB Imagine XBs, which I love."
#12
Micca
4.3
(8)
"I’d get an amp and a pair of Micca speakers."
"I doubt you'd find anything as good as the Micca RB42 you mentioned."
"I’d buy a pair of Micca RB42’s. They’re just a heck of a lot of fun."
"Really happy with this budget setup recommended by an old reddit post sorry I don't remember the exact post. Micca RB42 Reference Bookshelf..."
"I have a set in one of my spare bedrooms in a 2.1 setup paired with a Definitive Technology ProSub 1000 and really like them."
"I’d get an amp and a pair of Micca speakers."
"What about Micca RB42?"
"Seems like some Micca RB42s can fit in that space."
#13
Ascend Acoustics
4.3
(8)
"Ascend Acoustics Sierra LX."
"The BMRs are a winner and the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LXs are at the top of my recommendation list."
"Ascend Acoustics SIERRA-1 V2"
"Ascend Sierra 1 V2"
"Maybe consider Ascend CBM-170SE $368"
"Check these out for $800 https://ascendacoustics.com/collections/signature-series/products/cmt-340se2-mini-tower-pair"
"I would also look at Ascend Acoustics CBM-170SE or HTM-200SE which are both under your budget."
"The Ascend Acoustics CMT-340SE2 is a little over your budget but worth the cost."
#14
Kanto
4.3
(8)
"I have been super happy with them."
"I have the kanto YU4s at my desk and love them."
"The Kanto 5.25 passives will make you feel good about money well spent."
"I went with Kanto 5.25” passive."
"Thinking I’m down to the Kantu YU6 or Edifier R2000DB."
"Kanto YU passive 5.25"
"Kanto YU passive 5.25."
"My buddy recently Kanto Yu4's and paired them with a new Klipsch 10" sub and he's pretty happy."
#15
Buchardt
4.7
(7)
"Buchardt S400 MKII"
"Buchardt s400 mkII"
"Go Buchardt!"
"Buchardt gets my top recommendation here."
"Hands down the Buchardt S400 Mkii. They can’t be beat."
"Dynaudio, Buchardt are the speakers I see often paired with the m6si."
"Go higher and get the Buchardt S400mkii."
#16
Triangle
4.4
(7)
"The Triangle Borea BR03 is a highly rated bookshelf speaker for around $400."
"Triangle Borea Br03 is probably your best bang for the buck if you’re not using a sub."
"I have been very happy with my Triangle Borea BR03s."
"$500 Ballpark contenders would be: Elac DB3, Elac UniFi UB5, Klipsch RP600M II, Heco Aurora 300, Wharfedale Denton 80th, Triangle Borea BR03, Q Acoustics 3020."
"I’m a big fan of Triangle br02."
"Triangle Borea BR03 is front ported and 450."
"Check out Triangle BR02s."
#17
Edifier
4.1
(7)
"Good sound quality."
"Is really great."
"I just got a pair of Edifiers I’m happy with."
"I was also thinking of getting an Edifier R1280DB along with the digital piano."
"I used Edifier R1280DB for a while then upgraded to Micca RB42."
"They get plenty loud for a living room and the sound is good for the price."
"I see people talking up Edifer products, but the reviews have a pretty substantial undertone of 'hey these quit working after a few months'."
#18
Monitor Audio
4.4
(5)
"I love my MA Silver 100s."
"MA Silver 100's or maybe Dali Opticon 2's?"
"Monitor audio bronze 100 if you have the space for a larger speaker."
"Monitor Audio Bronze 100 $450."
"I’m currently using last gen Monitor Audio Bronze 100."
#19
Heco
4.0
(5)
"Check out Heco Aurora 300. Best bass out of all the speakers in this price range."
"$500 Ballpark contenders would be: Elac DB3, Elac UniFi UB5, Klipsch RP600M II, Heco Aurora 300, Wharfedale Denton 80th, Triangle Borea BR03, Q Acoustics 3020."
"If you want something that is good value and punches above its weight, check out the Heco Aurora 300."
"Those or Heco Aurora 300 which I hear are discontinued."
#20
Sony
3.8
(5)
"Sony SSCS5 is a decent choice."
"Sony SSCS5 are normally $160 and right now are $88."
"I'm replacing the towers with the sony sscs5 bookshelves."
"I'd try those Sony cs5s for sure"
"Sony CSS5"
#21
Dynaudio
4.8
(4)
"They play everything marvelously well and the bass is dynaudio magic"
"Maybe Dynaudio Evoke 10?"
"I would say : Dynaudio evoke 10"
"Dynaudio, Buchardt are the speakers I see often paired with the m6si."
#22
Jamo
4.5
(4)
"I'm very pleased with them and there is plenty of bass."
"I absolutely recommend them, they sound very very nice for the price."
"On the cheaper side, I recommend checking out the Jamo S803."
"I got the jamos s803s for my beginner system and they’ve been great."
#23
Focal
4.5
(4)
"I have Focal speakers and find them THE most allround speakers ever (within a certain price point). Mainly because of their tight bass."
"I’m quite fond of the Focal Chora 806."
"Focal"
"Focal chora 806 are front ported and can be pretty close to the wall."
#24
ELAC
4.5
(4)
"You won't find anything better at that price."
"I would put the ELAC Debut 3.0 up there around top spot with the KEF, and Polk R200 would be there as well."
"Obviously your best bang for the buck is getting used of marketplace, but if you're going new the 3.0 and emotiva are hard to beat."
"I started on the elac debuts personally."
#25
KEF
4.3
(4)
"KEF LS50 Meta"
"For 1k or less I'd recommend: 999usd - KEF LS50 Meta"
"The Q250c would be pretty good for you"
"In addition to those mentioned I’d look at the LS50 Metas."
#26
SVS
4.0
(4)
"SVS Prime is probably my cheapest option then."
"I had my eye on the SVS Prime Wireless Pro a while back."
"SVS prime."
"I'd add these to your research list."
#27
Pioneer
4.7
(3)
"Best I have heard is the Pioneer BS-22."
"My vote is the BS-22 with a SMSL or Micca amp."
"I'd be looking for pioneer bs bookshelves or towers for 50-100 a pair."
#28
Studio
5.0
(2)
"It’s the 530s, hands down."
"Studio 530s are insane speakers."
#29
Philharmonic
5.0
(2)
"Philharmonic BMR's."
"Philharmonic BMR bookshelf speakers!"
#30
Adam Audio
5.0
(2)
"Look into the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus, iLoud Micro Monitor, or the Adam D3V. Probably some of the best small speakers out there."
"Out of really small ones Adams D3V or iLouds MTM are pretty spectacular."
#31
Fluance
4.0
(2)
"Fluance Ai41"
"Fluance Ai41 might fit."
#32
Arendal
4.0
(2)
"Does in your opinion the Arendal 1723 bookshelfs s really perform the best for home theater out of these?"
"Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S"
#33
Sonus Faber
4.0
(2)
"For 1k or less I'd recommend: 999usd - Sonus Faber Lumina I"
"If just for speaker. I would suggest these two 1) Sonus Faber Lumina I"
#34
Polk Audio
4.0
(2)
"Polk Audio Signature Elite ES15 Black bookshelf speakers."
"Polk TSi 100's. You can still get them for well under $200 and they sound pretty amazing for their price range."
#35
Cambridge Audio
3.5
(2)
"Cambridge Audio SX-50. Lots of solid options at that price though."
"Cambridge Audio SX50 or 60s open box eBay. They are ok but personally I would go for the Wharfedale Diamond range."
#36
Totem
4.0
(1)
"Totem Rainmakers."
#37
Kali
4.0
(1)
"You can't really go wrong with Kalis LP-6."
#38
ES
4.0
(1)
"I got a pair of es55 for $299 each."
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