TOP 5 Bookshelf Speakers in 2025
Sensational bookshelf speakers to suit all budgets
An excellent set of bookshelf speakers, usually referred to as standmount speakers, is a must for any hi-fi system. There are many different types of bookshelf speakers available today, whether you’re searching for an ultra-compact model, a pair of TV speakers, or a set of high-end audiophile speakers.
‘Bookshelf speakers’—why be that? since a large number of them are small enough to fit in a bookcase. A bookcase isn’t the only location to put them; you may also put them in a corner or even on your desk, depending on its size. To guarantee they sound their best, we always advise setting them up on specialized speaker stands, if at all possible.
These days, standmount speakers are available in both large and small sizes, making it simpler to select a pair that suits your needs and space. However, not everyone has the room, money, or desire for a set of floorstanders. Despite their small size, the greatest bookshelf speakers have crisp detail, nimble rhythms, captivating dynamics, a nice balance, and a good amount of bass. In addition, we anticipate high-quality construction that will endure for many years, if not decades, and as the price tag increases, so do our expectations for the sound’s subtlety, transparency, and precision.
Table of Contents
best overall
1. KEF LS50 Meta
best cheap
2. Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
Best small rooms
3. B&W 607 S3
Best mid-price
4. Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3
Best audiophiles
5. PMC Prodigy 1
1. KEF LS50 Meta
One of our best-recommended speakers, the KEF LS50 Meta offers amazing value for the money. While they may not look all that different from the standard LS50 from the previous generation, they are in many respects; the brand chose not to alter the exquisitely designed enclosure because it found that there was little room for improvement—we agree that it’s a high-quality, well-built speaker—but KEF felt that the LS50’s recognizable Uni-Q driver array, where the tweeter is located in the mid/bass unit’s throat, needed to be improved.
In addition to incorporating all of the improvements KEF has made over the previous eight years, this has been completely redesigned to incorporate Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), which is KEF’s solution for handling the noise emitted by the 25mm aluminum tweeter dome.
It quickly becomes apparent that these LS50 Meta speakers are significantly better than the originals, offering a new degree of precision and clarity that the originals could only suggest. They are therefore excellent all-around players. With incredibly clear and complex high frequencies, the new Meta technology proves its value, and they sound balanced and smooth. A fantastic performance is produced by the combination of a punchy bass, subtle dynamics, and deft timing.
In our assessment, we stated: “For a speaker of this size, there is a considerable amount of muscle and large-scale dynamics are handled well. Unless volume levels are excessive, these artists are calm and sophisticated and rarely sound anxious. They complement a wide range of partnered amplifiers and are excellent all-around players.
2. Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
The goal of Wharfedale’s Diamond line of speakers has always been to provide excellent quality at a reasonable cost. After more than four decades, it still accomplishes its goal. These speakers are still as good as when we originally examined them in 2020, despite the fact that the current Diamond 12.1 standmounters have a more advanced design with upgrades throughout, from drive units to cabinet construction.
Nearly five years later, we still believe that these inexpensive bookshelf speakers have a “broad spread of abilities that will help them get the most from price-compatible electronics and deserve a place high on your shortlist.” That speaks volumes about the 12.1’s durability and unwavering price tag, which is uncommon these days.
The Diamonds are constructed to a pleasingly high standard, even considering their incredibly low cost. With a height of only 31 cm, this tidy and little box won’t take up much space. Instead of the downward-facing design found in earlier models, the two-way design has a reflex port that fires rearward.
The Diamond 12.1 is presented boldly, powerfully, and with much of detail. The speakers also have a calm, sophisticated sound, which is very uncommon at this price range. Although we don’t anticipate bone-shaking bass from small boxes, the low-end notes sound full and delve deep enough to satisfy at this level. They also give more authority and scope than their cheap price and size suggest.
3. B&W 607 S3
Bowers & Wilkins’ 600 series of speakers, which is currently in its eighth iteration and has been around for more than 20 years, has typically produced some excellent speakers.
With its most recent entry-level 607 S3 speakers, that tale continues. Although the ‘budget’ price has gone up in recent years, the new 607 S3 is still B&W’s smallest and most reasonably priced stereo speaker. It replaces the award-winning 607 S2 Anniversary Edition speakers and offers a far better performance.
A brand-new 25mm titanium decoupled double dome tweeter, a redesigned elongated tube loading system, an upgraded motor assembly for the 13cm Continuum mid/bass driver, better-quality crossover components, and stronger cabinet bracing are just a few of the many upgrades made to the 607 S3.
They are perfect for smaller rooms and have the same footprint. A very detailed, rhythmically coherent, nimble, and energetic sound will result from carefully balancing them to counterbalance a slightly upfront, exuberant treble performance. The treble performance is so much sweeter and more sophisticated than before, and the presentation as a whole sounds more open than before. Each note lands precisely for its size and price range, and even at low volume, it maintains dynamic interest. Although they don’t travel as deep as larger speakers (or as large as the larger 606 S3 below), the drawn taut basslines do land with impact. All in all, they’re just a lot of fun to hear.
4. Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3
In B&W’s most recent 600 S3 speaker lineup, the 606 S3 standmounters are larger, bolder, and more expensive than their younger sibling, the 607 S3 speakers (above).
With numerous upgrades and enhancements, the 606 S3 builds upon the 606 S2 Anniversary Edition from the previous generation, which was also an award winner. They have the same improvements as the 607, including the new titanium tweeter and the updated rear speaker terminal arrangement. The 606 S3 offers even another improvement in sound quality, yet the two-way setup, the same excellent build quality and finishes, and the same dimensions are all back.
The 606 S3 has a more sophisticated presentation in contrast to the lively, entertaining nature of the 607 S3. Compared to the previous S2 model, there are newfound levels of openness and refinement, as well as a spacious sounding presentation and enough of headroom for that cleaner treble to soar. In the meantime, the deeper cabinet and larger 16.5cm mid/bass driver give weight, punch, and authority.
The 606 S3 speakers are less susceptible to the slightly excitable and forward treble of their lively 607 S3 sibling thanks to this additional bass power, but the more level-headed, staid personality of the older siblings comes at the expense of the endearing and instantly entertaining sound that we love so much about the new 607 S3.
5. PMC Prodigy 1
Although these standmounts may be considered entry-level by PMC, they sound anything but (and they’re not exactly cheap, either). It should come as no surprise that they are tested and listened to in tandem with the company’s reference models. They also have the same 13cm mid/bass driver and 27mm soft dome tweeter found in models higher up the company’s line.
Additionally, they have Laminair, an aerodynamic port originally designed for the flagship QB-1 studio monitors. This reduces airflow noise and enhances bass quality by smoothing the airflow out of the speaker.
Although it lacks some of the high-end polish of PMC’s more expensive models, the design is aesthetically pleasingly simple. Sonically, however, they are magnificent, with outstanding clarity, charm, and detail.The bass goes deep without losing definition, while the midrange is full of firmness and dynamic expression. That striking presence and depth are complemented by the velocity and punch of low frequencies.
In our review, we stated: “Watch Anohni and the Johnsons.” On the collective’s most recent album, “It’s My Fault,” the Prodigy’s midrange skills are once again highlighted. Her vocal delivery has substance, and it conveys her anguish and shame about her involvement in the way humans “broke the earth” in a very honest and real way. She exudes emotion, and the PMCs are good at conveying it.
Although most bookshelf speakers are pretty small, certain kinds can be fairly huge. You must choose the size and arrangement of the bookshelf speakers you intend to use because some require a little more room to function well, or are deeper than they are wide, for example. Will your listening room have enough room for these speakers, or will they need to squeeze into tiny desk nooks? Before purchasing, make sure the speakers will fit in the area you have designated for them at home by consulting the manufacturer’s recommendations and speaker specifications.
All of these speakers would benefit from being positioned on a certain pair of speaker stands, in our opinion. However, this isn’t always feasible for everyone, so it’s advised to put speakers that work well near a wall or corner.
Finding speakers that sound fantastic for the price range is undoubtedly vital when it comes to sound quality, but the equipment you use to power your speakers is directly related to how they sound. To see how the speakers function in your space and system, we would advise you to try a pair out before making a purchase.
Where should speakers be mounted on bookshelves?
It is not advisable to put bookshelf speakers on a bookshelf, regardless of their name or size. Definitely not on the ground. The quality of their support has a significant impact on their performance, therefore you shouldn’t cut corners in this area. If you have spent more than a few hundred dollars on them, it is ideal to set them on speaker stands; but, if that is not feasible, attempt to place them on the strongest, most rigid support you can find. You should also think about whether they would benefit from being angled inwards at all or how close to a wall they will function best.
Are soundbars inferior to bookshelf speakers? Do these work well on a TV?
Stereo speakers are equally useful for movies and TV shows as they are for music. All you have to do is set your speakers on either side of your TV and connect them to an amplifier that has the appropriate connectors for connecting a TV, which is typically an optical or HDMI port. Here’s a more thorough guide to connecting your speakers to your TV
Compared to a soundbar, their physical width will probably result in a more realistic stereo impression and room-filling sound, and their larger drivers will usually provide better dynamic expression as well.Nevertheless, a lot of soundbars these days are Dolby Atmos soundbars, which may provide surround and height effects for increased immersion, and they usually have subwoofers that will always go deeper in the bass than bookshelf speakers.