Bookshelf Speakers reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 299 Reddit reviews across 8 subreddits and 96 posts to rank the best Bookshelf Speakers brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/BudgetAudiophile, r/StereoAdvice, r/pcmasterrace, r/hometheater, r/audiophile. Top-rated brands include KEF (4.3/5), Edifier (4.7/5), Polk (4.2/5).
Stats
Reviews299
Subreddits8
Posts96
Brands39
Products86
299 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
KEF
4.3
(33)
"Being particularly partial to KEF and revel. You’re right in a great price range to really have several awesome options."
"KEF R3 Meta, Revel Performa3 M106, Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2, Philharmonic BMR Monitors, MoFi SourcePoint 8, Buchardt S400 MKII, Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S, Sonus Faber Sonetto II"
"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."
"The answer to you from me is if you love the KEF sound, that's an absolute value that's a $1000s or more worth of speakers new about 7 years ago."
"I have a pair of Kef Q100s and they're unlike anything I've heard before."
"Kef Q150 is the move for this in my opinion. You get amazing imaging and soundstaging, with a more relaxed tone like you want."
"I would go KEF Q350 and a WiiM Amp."
"I've got my KEF Q150s set up at my desk and it's great."
"I’d recommend the kef q150 (when on sale) or even the Klipsch rp-600m."
#2
Edifier
4.7
(30)
"The Edifier S3000MKII speaker will gave you the best sound of all."
"You get 155 watts, 8" very well built hi-res."
"I have the Edifier S360DB and the sound quality is awesome."
"They are amazing."
"I'm using a pair of Edifier R1280DB. It's great, and it was fairly cheap compared to how it sounds."
"I got the edifier r1280db, absolutely love them."
"I cant stand the small 'pc speakers', ive used bookshelf speakers almost exclusively on my pcs for years now."
"I also have a pair of Edifier R1700bt. Sounds great for me and plenty of power for a room."
"Yes! I went from some 50€ 2.1 speakers from 10 years ago to a pair of Edifier R1280DB and they're a blast."
"Love the speakers, and the addition of a subwoofer output makes it perfect for my needs."
#3
Polk
4.2
(27)
"I just ordered a pair of Polk ES15s a few weeks ago and I am loving them."
"I snagged Polk R200s for under $600 on Amazon and I really like them."
"They are one of the best bargains for audiophile level bookshelf speakers."
"I love me some Polk."
"Buy! Buy! Buy!"
"Couldn't be happier."
"Polk R200."
"Polk r200s, Elac,"
"Polk r200 Maybe klipsch rp600 II"
"Polk XT20. For $199 which is the current price they are unb"
#4
ELAC
4.4
(23)
"Elac or Emotiva would be my choice. Elac Debut 3.0 DB63 or Airmotiv Xb2."
"It’s the best small bookshelf I’ve ever heard. You can get an open box pair for under $400!!! They sound like they should cost thousands of dollars."
"I would go with the Elacs."
"The ELACs are the belle of the ball right now, with every review (the DB63) being very positive."
"Got the elac b6.2 there great."
"For the output volume you will need at 10-13ft I would vote Elac B6.2."
"I like ELAC and PSB."
"There would be options at $600 for a pair."
"This is a steal right now"
"I've got a pair of Elac Debut 2.0 b6.2s in a 2.0 phono setup that sound really good."
#5
Wharfedale
4.4
(23)
"I have tinnitus and bought Wharfedale Evo 4.2s because they were laid back."
"Wharfedale diamond 12.1 or .2 would be a great fit for you."
"I have a pair of 12.2 and settled on them as my main speakers very easily."
"It’s really hard to beat Wharfedale Linton’s if you have enough space."
"Get four Wharfedale Diamond 12.1's and one yahama as-301."
"They are the best allrounders I've heard in the last years, for silly little money, and they look good too."
"Wharfedale Diamond 12.2’s."
"The Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 bookshelves are down to $449 new and are a bargain at that price."
"Wharfedale Diamond 12.2."
"Great sound. Love it."
#6
Q Acoustics
4.6
(19)
"You have to try Q acoustics I just got the 3020i from Amazon for $381 I’m blown away with the bass and clarity for the price."
"Q acoustics 3030i"
"Q acoustics 3030i."
"I have them and they're absolute bangers for the price. Tight bass and crystal clear highs."
"Warm, clear, powerful, bassy if needed. Good warranty."
"Incredible sound and quality, and within your budget."
"Amazon UK has Q Acoustics 3030i for £249. These are my speakers and I am very happy with them."
"I have them in white."
"I would go for Q Acoustics speakers hands down."
"Yep I've been running a pair of q-acoustics through a Denon amp for like 8 years now, amazing sound in games."
#7
Elac
4.3
(18)
"You won't find anything better at that price."
"I feel the Elac gives you way more bang for your buck."
"Elac was my favourite."
"Elac dbr62 gets my vote."
"Elac DBR62 is on sale for $525 great price, great speaker with excellent bass."
"There's a pair of nice Elac DBR62 on ebay currently for a sweet $450"
"Don't think you can go wrong with either."
"Elac DBR62 too. A bit cheaper, but as good."
"Find some Elac’s. I sold some debut B5’s for $180 Canadian last year and regret it."
"I would recommend the Elac dbr62."
#8
Klipsch
4.4
(16)
"The RP-600M II are fantastic speakers."
"For gaming, anything Klipsch."
"It sounds fantastic. Really really good audio."
"I recommend a pair of Klipsch The Sevens because they check all your boxes."
"I bought Klipsch the fives for around that price and love them."
"Https://www.klipsch.com/products/the-fives-powered-speakers"
"Or even the Klipsch rp-600m (first gen) for about $350."
"Great sounding for 200-250 CAD."
"Not sure why you don’t like Klipsch, the RP-600m II is a great speaker under $1,000."
"Klipsch rp500 on sale"
#9
Monitor Audio
4.4
(10)
"I love my MA Silver 100s."
"Silver 100’s are the most mentioned speaker at this point by a considerable margin."
"MA Silver 100's or maybe Dali Opticon 2's?"
"Monitor Audio is pretty hard to beat."
"Brands like Monitor Audio, Revel, Focal would have bookshelfs in that price range."
"Monitor Silver 100 7G $1500"
"Also check out the Monitor Audio Bronze 100 $435 open box."
"I got my used monitor audio silver 100s for 4000 nok."
"I have the Monitor Audio Bronze 100 in my Amazon cart right now."
"Monitor audio silver 100 7g?"
#10
DALI
4.4
(8)
"Look into Dali, they have great line"
"Very detailed sounding speakers."
"Got me some Dali bookshelf speakers for my PC and love them."
"I can recommend speakers from Dali and Dynaudio (both Danish craftmanship) and Focal."
"All good options and easily powered by a used amp or AVR."
"I have the Spektor 2 and I like them."
"DALI Spektor 1 if available in your country."
"Look for speakers with a shallower cabinet, like the Dali Spektor 1."
#11
Neumi
4.3
(7)
"Neumi BS5P Arc $170"
"Neumi BS5P-ARC would be my choice. Those are $169."
"I think the Neumi BS5P-ARC are a better choice"
"The Neumi BS5P is a pretty decent new powered speaker for the price"
"Neumi BS5P."
"Only know of the new Neumi BS5P ARC."
#12
JBL
4.7
(6)
"I'm very biased towards JBL. Because they sound dam good."
"And if you’re buying real speakers. Like the JBL 305P with a subwoofer."
"I use a pair of JBL 305p and they are awesome."
"Dropped $600 on a set of JBL w/ 8” drivers and the sound quality blows me away."
"I have the JBL studio 530s, and they sound really great paired with a subwoofer."
"JBL Studio 530"
#13
Bowers & Wilkins
4.6
(5)
"Fantastic deals on B&W bookshelves here"
"I second the recommendation. If it's doable, check them before buying."
"I’d go with the 686’s."
"For 1k or less I'd recommend: 900usd - Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3"
"B&W make some pretty large bookshelf speakers."
#14
Micca
4.4
(5)
"I got a slightly used setup today Micca RB42."
"Sounds great."
"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... Micca RB42 Reference Bookshelf"
"If I get this and a pair of bookshelf speakers (lets say passive Micca Mb42X) would that be all I need?"
#15
Dynaudio
4.2
(5)
"They play everything marvelously well and the bass is dynaudio magic"
"Dynaudio Emit 20, Monitor Audio Silver and Sonus Faber Lumina are in your budget."
"Dynaudio emit 20 can be had used from safe and sound for your price."
"Used Dynaudios."
"Used Dynaudios."
#16
Kali Audio
4.8
(4)
"Since u have a phono pre look at the Kali audio LP 6 V2. They're epic speakers, amazing bass for the size, deep and powerful."
"([EAC review])"
"Get a pair of Kali Audio LP-6 V2s."
#17
Vanatoo
4.5
(4)
"Absolutely would not go back to logitech."
"Yes, Vanatoo transparent Zeros."
"Love these"
"Budget might not be able to handle it, but look into Vanatoo Transparent Zero. It's double-ish your $200."
#18
Paradigm
4.5
(4)
"Paradigm Premier 200B made in Tononto. Check out the reviews."
"Paradigm monitor se atoms! I have a pair and the fill up my whole living room."
"Paradigm Premier 200B Gloss Black."
"Paradigm monitor se atoms could be a nice option."
#19
Ascend Acoustics
4.3
(4)
"Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1-V2"
"Ascend Acoustics SIERRA-1 V2"
"Ascend Sierra 1 V2"
"These - https://ascendacoustics.com/products/sierra-1-v2-pair."
#20
Kanto
4.0
(4)
"The Kanto 5.25 passives will make you feel good about money well spent."
"I went with Kanto 5.25” passive. Size and appearance were also factored into my decision"
"The Kanto YU6 speakers are pretty good and were my gateway drug back into stereo equipment."
"Are decent for the AT-LP3X."
#21
Sony
3.8
(4)
"They sound ridiculously good for the money."
"TV I’m using Sony SSCS5s with a Yamaha RX-V667 since I’ll be watching most media/gaming there."
"I'd try those Sony cs5s for sure"
"Sony CSS5"
#22
Kef
4.7
(3)
"LS50s should be on your shortlist. They’re a great speaker for most people."
"Kef LS50 pair meta bookshelf speakers."
"You can snag a pair of non-meta LS50 for less than a grand pretty easy, and they're pretty spectacular"
#23
Revel
4.0
(3)
"It beats Revel M105/M106"
"Revel M105."
"Sale $1154"
#24
PSB
4.0
(3)
"PSB Alpha P5 - $599"
"Are good places to start."
"PSB Alpha P5."
#25
Sonus Faber
4.0
(3)
"999usd - Sonus Faber Lumina I"
"If just for speaker. I would suggest these two 1) Sonus Faber Lumina I"
"Were actually designed to be placed on a bookshelf."
#26
Yamaha
4.0
(3)
"I very much like the DBR62s (€420). They’re crisp and clear and detailed, but not in the least bit harsh or fatiguing."
"Someone else has mentioned the DBR62, considerably under budget as well."
"Dbr62"
#27
Philharmonic Audio
5.0
(2)
"Look at Philharmonic Audio. They are hand made DIY style speakers of very high quality."
"They are hand made DIY style speakers of very high quality."
#28
Mackie
5.0
(2)
"I use mackie cr4x with the 8 inch sub"
"I use mackie cr4x with the 8 inch sub."
#29
Buchardt
5.0
(2)
"Buchardt s400 mkII"
"(personally) beautiful and absolutely fantastic in their sonic performance."
#30
Genelec
5.0
(2)
"Genelecs are amazing! I have them as my studio monitors and they are better than my ELAC DBR62 bookshelfs hands down."
"I like Genelec personally, even their smallest monitors sound unbelievably good."
#31
Audiovector
5.0
(2)
"As a current owner of both Dynaudio and Audiovector speakers I wanna recommend checking these out."
"The r1 arreté is probably the best, most fun bookshelf speaker i have ever heard."
#32
Philharmonic
4.5
(2)
"These two options that would probably be the top of the recommendations for your price range."
"At $850, then Philharmonic Ceramic Mini Monitor might be worth considering."
#33
Tribit
4.5
(2)
"Best budget boombox."
"Sound quality is *pretty darn good*."
#34
Ruark
4.0
(2)
"I am experiencing sounds I had forgotten existed."
"Rurark mr1 mk2 are decent"
#35
Kali
4.0
(2)
"They are a good upgrade (especially that sub omg) but you have to sit kinda close to get all the goodness."
"Why not going active? Kali LP-UNF do well even in non-ultra-near situations."
#36
Focal
4.0
(2)
"Brands like Monitor Audio, Revel, Focal would have bookshelfs in that price range."
"Used Focals speakers?"
#37
Jamo
3.5
(2)
"I just bought refurbished Jamo s803s on Amazon for $120."
"S803 are Better, Neumi BS5 are Better."
#38
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."
#39
Radiant Acoustics
5.0
(1)
"The best standmounts are from Danish company Radiant Acoustics. Their Model 6.2 sells for around $6000 for the pair."
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